Acting Lessons Near Me

It’s Sculpture Week—hooray! We’re so excited for this hands-on, wonderfully messy week of creativity. Campers should come dressed for a mess and ready with patience as we design, build, and sculpt our pets—or the pets we wish we had! Using clay, papier-mâché, and plaster, we’ll spend the week bringing their creations to life as they work toward a magical finished piece. Campers will also have the chance to create extra accessories for their pets, including homes, collars, leashes, and even tiny crowns. It’s a week full of imagination, sculpting, and so much fun!

Join us for Build a House Week! We will be creating homes for our dolls, stuffies or what ever you have at tucked into your bed! From building the boxes, to designing the wallpaper and carpets, to building furniture. This week is not ideal for children under 7 years old as there will be a lot of hot glue and building, but they can still give it their best try. ​ We are looking forward to seeing rooftop terraces, pools, gardens and more!

Unleash your creativity in a unique setting at the "In the Dark Art Camp," where young artists are invited to explore the mysterious and captivating world of glow-in-the-dark and UV-responsive art. This immersive art experience encourages campers to step out of the conventional light and dive into techniques that flourish in the dark, stimulating their artistic senses in new and unexpected ways.

During this week campers get to enjoy a different ceramic and slime daily. ​ We know going home we so many slimes and ceramics can be overwhelming - so we have you covered. We will also be mixing in some watercolor and acrylic projects throughout the week. From fluffy slime to glow in the dark and snow slime - we will keep the campers day filled with exciting activities!

Puppet shows are back! Join us once a month on this Saturday mornings as we take kiddos on a story-time adventure with puppet pals Sneaky Pete, Tom the Rat, Meowzers, plus some new special guests! There will also be theater and movement games, dancing, and singing. Caregiver is required to stay.

Explore the Magic Clock Shop! Kiddos will spend a day filled with imagination and adventure as they help Oliver Whizgear, resident owl tinkerer, with his newest creations! Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Join the Great Cupcake Bakeoff! Citizens of the Rabbit Hole Queendom gather to the Dessert Islands for the annual event, where bakers will show off their latest creations! This is a play pretend camp, so no actual baking will be involved. Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Preschoolers can now experience the magic of Broadway with a class designed specifically for them! Each week, Broadway Little Stars introduces preschoolers to a new musical through activities inspired by the “show of the week” and designed to get them singing, dancing, and acting along. Classes are taught by professional teaching artists who are experts at engaging and educating children in fun, developmentally appropriate ways. Whether your child is ready for the spotlight or simply loves musicals, this class is for them!

No school? No problem! Spend the day with Stages! With singing, dancing, acting, and art inspired by your child's favorite musicals, we’ve got something for every creative kid. Choose to enroll for one day-off camp or join us for the entire school year for a discounted rate! Friday, September 26 - Descendants Monday, October 13 - Kpop Demon Hunters Monday, October 27 - Zombies Tuesday, November 11 - Wicked Monday November 24 - Eras (Taylor Swift) Tuesday, November 25 - The Lion King Wednesday, November 26 - Zootopia ​​​ Friday, January 2 - K Pop Demon Hunters Monday, January 5 - Shrek Monday, January 19 - Beauty & the Beast Monday, February 16 - K Pop Demon Hunters Tuesday, February 17 - Seussical Tuesday, March 17 - Hamilton Wednesday, March 18 - The Little Mermaid Friday, April 3 - Mamma Mia Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance. ***Families are responsible for providing: - Nut free morning snack - Nut free lunch - Nut free afternoon snack - A water bottle. Please make sure that everything is labeled.

Let your freak flag fly! We're bringing life to everyone's favorite fairy tale creatures for our 2026 Broadway Stars Mainstage Production, SHREK: THE MUSICAL JR.! Join our talented cast of young performers and learn how theater can make everyone the hero of their own story! Broadway Stars was created by a professional performer turned child development specialist with the primary goal of helping children develop the foundational skills and technique every musical theater performer needs while giving them the opportunity to find their voice, build confidence, and do what every budding Broadway Star loves most: PERFORM! Classes are taught by a team of professional teaching artists with years of experience both in the classroom and on professional stages, and feature a customized curriculum designed to challenge and showcase the strengths of each young performer. PRODUCTION ADMIN FEE INCLUDES: *2 Full Cast Rehearsals *Tech Week Rehearsals *4 tickets to our production (Additional tickets will be available to purchase closer to the performance) *Scripts & other class materials *Costumes (Families will NOT be asked to go out and purchase items for the show but may be asked to bring clothing you already own.) *Props & Sets *Week Long Rental at The Biograph Theater WHAT TO EXPECT: --Weeks 1-2 (Jan 5 - Jan 17): Setting the Stage— Families who are new to Stages are invited to join us for a FREE TRIAL the week of January 6-11, 2025. The first two weeks of the semester will focus on learning and perfecting the foundational musical theater skills every Broadway Star needs when performing on stage. Classes will participate in acting games and begin to learn music and choreography for their auditions. These first two weeks of the semester also allow our teachers to get to know students and start to determine which scenes, songs, and roles will be the best fit for each child. --Weeks 3-4 (Jan 19 - Jan 31): I Hope I Get It!-- During weeks 3-4 of the semester, students will participate in a personalized audition process. Auditions at Stages are designed to be a low stress, fun experience where Broadway Stars get to show off what they’ve been learning the first few weeks of the semester and tell us what they are most excited to do in the show. Every audition will look different as every child is different. For children who are new to performing or nervous about auditioning, this will be an informal, low-stakes experience. For children who are older, have been performing for a while, or are ready for a challenge, this will be treated as a more formal audition. How Does This Work? Each class will be assigned specific scenes and songs from from our musical, not the entire musical. Classes will come together for the final performance to perform the show in its entirety. EVERY CHILD WILL BE GIVEN A ROLE OR SPECIAL PART IN THE SHOW. We will work together with participants to make sure they have a speaking line, solo, duet, etc. that they are excited to perform! --Weeks 5-12 (Feb 2 - Mar 21): Putting It Together-- During Weeks 5-12, children will begin putting together their show! Each week, classes will work on their assigned scenes and songs. During these classes, we will focus on learning and rehearsing musical numbers and choreography, blocking acting scenes, and introducing various theatrical elements that will be used in our show such as sets, props, and costumes. Don’t worry, it’s not all work. Classes will also have the opportunity to play theater games designed to introduce new performance skills and brush up on concepts we’ve learned in previous classes. --Weeks 13-16 (April 6 - April 25): Prepping for Opening Night-- Classes will begin running doing “Run Thrus” where they perform all of their scenes and songs from start to finish. We’ll also start adding in transitions so performers know when and how to enter/exit the stage, when to get microphones, make a costume change, or pick up a prop from the prop table. These classes are VERY important and we ask that you do your best to ensure your child is at every class unless they are ill. --Week 17: Tech Week– Monday, April 27 - Thursday, April 30 The week of the show, we will be having rehearsal after school April 27 - April 30 where ALL of the classes are brought together to run the show in the space. These rehearsals will be MANDATORY. *Students in K-2 Classes will not be required to attend every night during tech week. Dates will be confirmed mid-March to give families plenty of time to make arrangements to ensure their child’s attendance. SHOW DATES: May 1-3, 2026 SHOW LOCATION: The Biograph Theatre (2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614)

Step into a fairy-tale world full of magic potions and make-believe for a day. Campers will be able to let their creative juices flow as they craft their own fairy costumes, come up with a unique fairy name and magical power, and take off flying into their imaginations! We will set the stage for some fun pretend play and craft time that will draw inspiration from fairy lore while celebrating each kiddo’s creative ideas. Please remember to pack a water bottle, nut-free lunch and a yummy snack. Masks are optional. Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Climb the Starway Ladder and join Dream Mouse in Dreamland! Spend a day exploring Counting Sheep Meadow, the Stream of Consciousness, and the castle of course! Please remember to pack a water bottle, nut-free lunch and a yummy snack. Masks are optional. Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

A wand is a special and personal thing to its owner, and in this day camp kiddos will be able to craft their own magic wand! Once crafted, embark on adventure across the Rabbit Hole Queendom, meeting characters along the way. Please remember to pack a water bottle, nut-free lunch and a yummy snack. Masks are optional. Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 3:30 - 4:00pm. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

Starting to think about preschool or looking for meaningful ways your little one can connect with other children their age? Then Broadway Prep is for you! Developed by a professional performer turned child development specialist, Broadway Prep combines the creativity and energy of our Broadway & Me classes with a play-based curriculum that gives children the opportunity to learn through child lead explorations. Each week, Broadway Prep teachers bring the show of the week to life through music, dance, dramatic play, and process art activities. Snack time, sensory play, outdoor adventures (weather permitting), and of course, bubble time, round out the daily routine. WHY CHOOSE BROADWAY PREP? ✔️ Small Class Sizes (No more than 12 children per Day) ✔️ Low Teacher : Student Ratio (max 1:5) ✔️ New Broadway Show each week! ✔️ Play-Based Arts Curriculum developed by a professional performer turned child development specialist ✔️ 1 or 2 Day Enrollment Options ✔️ Drop-In Friendly Broadway Prep is a GENTLE SEPARATION CLASS. Designed specifically for children ages 2-4 years old, Prep provides a fun and supportive environment where little ones (and their parents) can adapt to being on their own in a "big kid" class at their own pace. While the goal is drop-off, we understand that for many children, this will be their first separation experience. Parents will be allowed to stay in class with their child for as long as necessary and Prep teachers will work with parents to create a drop-off routine for each child that ensures both kiddos and their parents are comfortable. Parents and caregivers whose children feel comfortable being dropped off are welcome to stay at Soul City and hang out while classes are taking place but it is not required. There are plenty of comfy couches, tables where you can work remotely, and free wifi!​ With flexible enrollment options, you can join us 1 or 2 days per week or drop-in as your schedule permits. Stages is committed to making our quality arts integrated early learning experiences available and affordable for all families. For information about tuition assistance and free classes, please visit our Tuition Assistance Page

Together we are golden in this KPop packed camp! Join us for a week long excursion as we learn our favorite dances from the film, dress up and play pretend as our own unique characters, and sing to save the Honmoon! Be sure to join us on the last day for a show! Drop off is from 9am - 9:30 and pick up is anytime between 2:30 - 3:00pm. This camp is held offsite at MoBu. Refund Policy: Please note that we have a no refund policy. Full credits will be issued for anything with a 4 week notice and can be used for any future Rabbit Hole activity. After 4 weeks we are unable to credit. If your child is sick or you need to miss a day of camp we will have a camp bag ready for you at the studio. This bag will be filled with enchanted projects, art materials, audio and video links and anything your kiddo might be missing in class. Please email us ahead of time and let us know if you need to miss and would like an at-home camp bag! Photography Notice: We love to share the joy of our experiences on SmugMug and social media! Photos taken during our sessions may be used on our social media platforms. If you would prefer not to have photos taken of your kiddo, please add a note to your child's account on Care.com.

For Grades 5-8 5-Session Series ** Please note that due to our class being delayed to Feb. 1 (snow cancellation of Jan. 25) our last class on Feb. 22 will be 2.5 hours with a break in between (so 4:15-6:45pm.) This super fun and high-energy 5-session class helps our tweens and teens learn to think fast, speak boldly, and express themselves with confidence in ANY situation! Through exciting games, silly prompts, movement, and tons of speaking practice, students learn the exact tools they need to speak up without fear. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or communicating with adults, this skill WILL help them be the best version of themselves. At Highest Speak, we work on WHAT to say, HOW to structure it, and HOW to say anything at ANY time with confidence! ⭐ How Each 1-Hour Class Works 1. High-Energy Ice Breaker & Warm-Up We start with fun, fast, confidence-boosting games that get kids moving, laughing, and ready to speak. Instant comfort → instant participation. 2. Fun Lesson of the Day A quick, kid-friendly lesson teaches one key impromptu skill—how to organize thoughts fast, how to start strong, or how to speak clearly without overthinking. Short, simple, and immediately useful. 3. Small-Group Practice + LOTS of Speaking Kids jump into pairs or small groups for fast-paced speaking rounds and fun challenges. Every child speaks multiple times each class and receives warm, supportive, personalized feedback! All sessions are led by our expert Highest Speak instructors, ensuring your child gets focused attention and guidance in a fun, supportive environment. For any more than 10 students, we always have two instructors to ensure plenty of individual attention and feedback. This lively, upbeat class helps kids find their brave voice, think on their feet, and shine—one fun, high-energy moment at a time!

Each week, our littlest Broadway fans and caregivers are introduced to exciting new songs, characters, and stories as Broadway Musicals are brought to life by a team of professional teaching artists. Created by a professional performer turned early childhood development specialist, Broadway & Me's unique curriculum is both entertaining and developmentally appropriate. Each class incorporates activities that are designed to support your little one’s physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development.

Preschoolers can now experience the magic of Broadway with a class designed specifically for them! Each week, Broadway Little Stars introduces preschoolers to a new musical through activities inspired by the “show of the week” and designed to get them singing, dancing, and acting along. Classes are taught by professional teaching artists who are experts at engaging and educating children in fun, developmentally appropriate ways. Whether your child is ready for the spotlight or simply loves musicals, this class is for them!

🎤 Impromptu Speaking & Communication Skills: Level 2 For Grades 5–8 (For Level 2, students MUST have taken our Impromptu Speech Class between 2024-2025 or be recommended by our instructors for Level 2. Please email info@highestspeak.com for eligibility questions.) 5-Session Series Level 2 is a high-energy, fast-paced, skill-building series designed for middle schoolers ready to take their speaking abilities to the next level. Students tackle longer 1–3 minute speeches, more challenging prompts, and advanced structure and performance techniques—all in a fun, supportive, and motivating environment. At Highest Speak, we teach students WHAT to say, HOW to structure it, and HOW to say anything at ANY time with confidence, clarity, and purpose. ⭐ How Each 1-Hour Class Works 1. High-Energy Ice Breaker & Warm-Up We start with engaging, fast-moving activities that help students loosen up, sharpen quick-thinking skills, and get comfortable speaking right away. Energy ON → hesitation OFF. 2. Level 2 Skill of the Day (More Depth + More Challenge) A short, focused lesson introduces a more advanced impromptu skill, such as: building longer, organized 1–3 minute responses, adding stronger openings and impactful conclusions, defending opinions with clarity, elevating vocal delivery and performance, speaking under time pressure with poise. Clear, practical, and instantly applicable in school, interviews, and daily conversations. 3. Small-Group Practice + High-Impact Speaking Rounds Students jump into pairs or small groups for structured 1–3 minute impromptu rounds using higher-level prompts, deeper thinking questions, and more sophisticated frameworks. Everyone speaks multiple times each class and receives targeted, supportive feedback to strengthen structure, confidence, and performance. All sessions are taught by our expert Highest Speak instructors, who ensure each student gets individualized guidance, encouragement, and challenge in a fun, high-energy environment. Level 2 helps middle schoolers think sharply, speak clearly, perform confidently, and communicate with depth—one bold, high-energy moment at a time!

Experience the magic of "Fairy Frolic" week at our Summer Camp! Kids will embark on a creative adventure, building whimsical wooden houses and crafting tiny furniture using a variety of materials, including natural elements and cardboard. Guided by our attentive staff, campers will design and construct their own enchanting fairy worlds, transforming imagination into art. Join us at The Giggling Pig Art Camp for a week of creativity, hands-on fun, and fairy tale magic! ​

Let your freak flag fly! We're bringing life to everyone's favorite fairy tale creatures for our 2026 Broadway Stars Mainstage Production, SHREK: THE MUSICAL JR.! Join our talented cast of young performers and learn how theater can make everyone the hero of their own story! Broadway Stars was created by a professional performer turned child development specialist with the primary goal of helping children develop the foundational skills and technique every musical theater performer needs while giving them the opportunity to find their voice, build confidence, and do what every budding Broadway Star loves most: PERFORM! Classes are taught by a team of professional teaching artists with years of experience both in the classroom and on professional stages, and feature a customized curriculum designed to challenge and showcase the strengths of each young performer. PRODUCTION ADMIN FEE INCLUDES: *2 Full Cast Rehearsals *Tech Week Rehearsals *4 tickets to our production (Additional tickets will be available to purchase closer to the performance) *Scripts & other class materials *Costumes (Families will NOT be asked to go out and purchase items for the show but may be asked to bring clothing you already own.) *Props & Sets *Week Long Rental at The Biograph Theater AFTER SCHOOL PICK-UP: Stages offers after school pick-up from British International School Lincoln Park and Skinner North. Pick-up will be approximately 20min before the start of class to give us enough time to gather students and walk over to Drucker Center. WHAT TO EXPECT: --Weeks 1-2 (Jan 5 - Jan 17): Setting the Stage— Families who are new to Stages are invited to join us for a FREE TRIAL the week of January 6-11, 2025. The first two weeks of the semester will focus on learning and perfecting the foundational musical theater skills every Broadway Star needs when performing on stage. Classes will participate in acting games and begin to learn music and choreography for their auditions. These first two weeks of the semester also allow our teachers to get to know students and start to determine which scenes, songs, and roles will be the best fit for each child. --Weeks 3-4 (Jan 19 - Jan 31): I Hope I Get It!-- During weeks 3-4 of the semester, students will participate in a personalized audition process. Auditions at Stages are designed to be a low stress, fun experience where Broadway Stars get to show off what they’ve been learning the first few weeks of the semester and tell us what they are most excited to do in the show. Every audition will look different as every child is different. For children who are new to performing or nervous about auditioning, this will be an informal, low-stakes experience. For children who are older, have been performing for a while, or are ready for a challenge, this will be treated as a more formal audition. How Does This Work? Each class will be assigned specific scenes and songs from from our musical, not the entire musical. Classes will come together for the final performance to perform the show in its entirety. EVERY CHILD WILL BE GIVEN A ROLE OR SPECIAL PART IN THE SHOW. We will work together with participants to make sure they have a speaking line, solo, duet, etc. that they are excited to perform! --Weeks 5-12 (Feb 2 - Mar 21): Putting It Together-- During Weeks 5-12, children will begin putting together their show! Each week, classes will work on their assigned scenes and songs. During these classes, we will focus on learning and rehearsing musical numbers and choreography, blocking acting scenes, and introducing various theatrical elements that will be used in our show such as sets, props, and costumes. Don’t worry, it’s not all work. Classes will also have the opportunity to play theater games designed to introduce new performance skills and brush up on concepts we’ve learned in previous classes. --Weeks 13-16 (April 6 - April 25): Prepping for Opening Night-- Classes will begin running doing “Run Thrus” where they perform all of their scenes and songs from start to finish. We’ll also start adding in transitions so performers know when and how to enter/exit the stage, when to get microphones, make a costume change, or pick up a prop from the prop table. These classes are VERY important and we ask that you do your best to ensure your child is at every class unless they are ill. --Week 17: Tech Week– Monday, April 27 - Thursday, April 30 The week of the show, we will be having rehearsal after school April 27 - April 30 where ALL of the classes are brought together to run the show in the space. These rehearsals will be MANDATORY. *Students in K-2 Classes will not be required to attend every night during tech week. Dates will be confirmed mid-March to give families plenty of time to make arrangements to ensure their child’s attendance. SHOW DATES: May 1-3, 2026 SHOW LOCATION: The Biograph Theatre (2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614)