Stages Chicago

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 Skinner West, Skinner West Branch, Montessori Academy of Chicago, Intercultural Montessori & World Language Academy. Pick-up will be approximately 20min before the start of class to give us enough time to gather students and walk over to Soul City. 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)

What do you get when you combine your favorite Stages classes and teaching artists with the fun and freedom of Summer? The ultimate first camp experience for your little one! Each week, our littlest campers are introduced to the world of a new Broadway Musical as Stages Mini-Camp Counselors bring the show to life through music, dance, dramatic play, and process art. Snack time, sensory play, outdoor adventures (weather permitting) and of course, Bubble Intermission round out the daily routine. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! WHY CHOOSE BROADWAY MINI-CAMP? ✔️ Small Camp Sizes (No more than 12 Mini-Campers/Day) ✔️ Low Counselor : Mini-Camper Ratio (1:4) ✔️ Professional Teaching Artists as Counselors ✔️ New Broadway Show each week! ✔️ Play-Based Arts Curriculum developed by a professional performer turned child development specialist ✔️ 1 or 2 Day Enrollment Options June 16 & 18 - Lion King June 23 & 25 - Little Mermaid June 30 & July 2 - Trolls July 7 & 9 - Encanto July 14 & 16 - Frozen July 28 & 30 - Wicked August 4 & 6 - Superhero August 11 & 13 - Zootopia August 18 & 20 - Moana August 25 & 27 - Cinderella Broadway Mini-Camp is a GENTLE SEPARATION experience. 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.

Ready to see how it's done Done DONE?! Join us for a GOLDEN week of musical fun inspired by the award-winning K POP DEMON HUNTERS! This week long camp, inspired by the hit movie, K POP DEMON HUNTERS, combines the magic of performance with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for their Final Performance which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! 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.

Do not throw away your shot to celebrate the 4th of July with HAMILTON! Here at Stages, we combine the magic of musical theater with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will learn the foundations of musical theatre while experiencing the thrill of an intensive audition and rehearsal process. Throughout the week, they will participate in music, choreography, and blocking rehearsals, all in preparation for their final performance on the last day of camp. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! BEST OF ALL? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands. If your child is ready to work hard, have fun, and take their talent to the next level, Summer at Stages is for you! 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.

WICKED WEEK! Get ready to Defy Gravity this summer with everyone's favorite witches! Don't wait to enroll, this week is going to be POP-U-LAR! Here at Stages, we combine the magic of musical theater with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will learn the foundations of musical theatre while experiencing the thrill of an intensive audition and rehearsal process. Throughout the week, they will participate in music, choreography, and blocking rehearsals, all in preparation for their final performance on the last day of camp. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! BEST OF ALL? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands. If your child is ready to work hard, have fun, and take their talent to the next level, Stages is for you! 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.

Ready to see how it's done Done DONE?! Join us for a GOLDEN week of musical fun inspired by the award-winning K POP DEMON HUNTERS! This week long camp, inspired by the hit movie, K POP DEMON HUNTERS, combines the magic of performance with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for their Final Performance which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! 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.

*CPS will be back in session this week! We're headed to the United States of Auradon with Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Uma, and the rest of the crew of DESCENDANTS! (Maybe even Red and Chloe!) This week-long musical theater camp inspired by Descendants 1, 2, AND 3 (with a bit of Rise of Red thrown in too!) will use your child’s favorite songs, stories, and characters to help them develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage. Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for an end of the week showcase which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” with art projects that introduce them to theatrical elements such as costume set design. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! 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.

Get ready to Defy Gravity this summer with everyone's favorite witches! Don't wait to enroll, this week is going to be POP-U-LAR! This week long camp, inspired by the hit musical WICKED and its iconic movie adaptation, combines the magic of musical theater with the fun and freedom of summer to help campers develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage! Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for their Final Performance which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” helping to create costume pieces, sets, and props that they'll use in their final performance! Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! 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.

Ready to see how it's done Done DONE?! Join us for a week of musical fun inspired by the award-winning K POP DEMON HUNTERS! Our week-long musical theater camp inspired by K Pop Demon Hunters will bring your child's favorite songs and characters to life through music, dance, dramatic play, and process art activities. Stages camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child is in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! 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.