Youth Theatre Classes in Lawrence

Theatre is for Everyone

kids in a classroom

Open the Curtain to a New Community

Does your child embrace the dramatic? Whether it’s a flair for performance, a love of theatre, an interest in music, or simple curiosity—exploring theatre could be right for them!

Youth theatre classes at Lawrence Arts Center go beyond acting, covering all aspects that go into a theatre performance. This includes music performance, stage lighting, set building, costuming, and everything else that makes a theatre production possible.

Our Facilities & Curriculum

Setting the Stage

We’re committed to providing the Lawrence area with a facility that welcomes them into the world of theatre and music. This includes our dedicated spaces at our primary and satellite locations for youth theatre in Lawrence, plus a 300-seat theatre for performances.

Enter Stage Left

The youth theatre classes we offer focus on developing the artist as well as the art. Classes cover everything from technical aspects of theatre—like stage lighting and set building—to performance and beyond. The choice is yours!

For our youth theatre classes, the descriptions list what to expect from the courses. The goals of our youth theatre classes include skill building, exploration, play, and more!

Current Classes

Acting, Improv & Performance

Adult Improv[25FA]
10/20/25 - 11/17/25, 6:30PM - 7:25PM | MO
Ages 18 to 120 | Chris Kramer | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTMA61
Members $100 | Non-Members $100
Learn to create surprising and hilarious scenes in this all-levels class. Build improv skills in a supportive group that encourages creativity, collaboration, and big laughs.
Adult Improv[25FA]
09/8/25 - 10/13/25, 6:30PM - 7:25PM | MO
Ages 18 to 120 | Chris Kramer | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTMA21
Members $120 | Non-Members $120
Learn to create surprising and hilarious scenes in this all-levels class. Build improv skills in a supportive group that encourages creativity, collaboration, and big laughs.
Movement for Actors[25FA]
10/15/25 - 11/19/25, 6:30PM - 7:25PM | WE
Ages 14 to 120 | Christian R. Boudreaux | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTMA53
Members $120 | Non-Members $120
What is movement? From Commedia to clowning, physical theatre creates new possibilities for actors to connect to their bodies. In this course, actors will explore the basics of movement (time, weight, space and flow) and learn to utilize them in complex ways (improv, elemental work, animal work, clowning).
Musical Theatre Workshop[25FA]
09/6/25 - 10/11/25, 11:00AM - 12:25PM | SA
Ages 10 to 14 | Erin Zipper | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTYM46
Members $250 | Non-Members $250
This class gives intense focus to singing, dancing and acting simultaneously. Work with our seasoned professionals to sharpen your skills, prepare for auditions and perform.
Intro to Musical Theatre[25FA]
10/4/25 - 10/25/25, 10:00AM - 10:55AM | SA
Ages 7 to 12 | Gwentessa Alfie | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTYM96
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Learn how to sing and dance! Explore the magic of Musical Theatre with friends!
The Open Theatre Experience[25FA]
10/11/25 - 11/15/25, 1:00PM - 2:25PM | SA
Ages 11 to 14 | Jeanne C. Averill | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTYM116
Members $150 | Non-Members $150
The Open Theater was an experimental theater group active in NYC from 1963 to 1973. We will explore and demonstrate the profound power of the actor's imagination and the actor's ability to create place ( scenery ) through the power of vocal technique and the skill of transformation, not only of character but of time and place. Your voice and body will be thoroughly challenged by this unusual and creative approach to acting.
Reader's Theatre[25FA]
09/6/25 - 10/11/25, 10:00AM - 10:55AM | SA
Ages 7 to 12 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTYM36
Members $120 | Non-Members $120
We will explore a reader's theatre script and put on a show! We will choose the stories together and decide what roles to play!
Adult Improv Performance Troupe[25FA]
09/8/25 - 11/17/25, 7:30PM - 8:25PM | MO
Ages 18 to 120 | Leah Towle | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTMA31
Members $220 | Non-Members $220
Members will create an ensemble, build confidence in improvising, and perform for the public at Final Fridays! Class performances will be on 9/26, 10/24, & 11/21. Must have taken an Arts Center improv class in the last five years or have instructor approval. This class is eligible to participate in the Arts After Dark Showcase.
Intro to Improv[25FA]
10/4/25 - 10/25/25, 11:00AM - 11:55AM | SA
Ages 7 to 12 | Leah Towle | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTYM106
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Learn how to improvise for theater! Make up scenes, characters, jokes, and hone your acting skills through games!
A Play A Day: Storytelling Theatre[25FA]
10/30/25 - 11/20/25, 4:30PM - 5:25PM | TH
Ages 11 to 14 | Ric Averill | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FYTM64
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Jump into acting though creative story playing. Each session features a new story, sometimes even two, that the group acts out in various combinations. Favorite stories maybe repeated. And there's music!
A Play A Day: Storytelling Theatre[25FA]
10/28/25 - 11/18/25, 4:30PM - 5:25PM | TU
Ages 7 to 12 | Ric Averill | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FYTM52
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Jump into acting though creative story playing. Each session features a new story, sometimes even two, that the group acts out in various combinations. Favorite stories maybe repeated. And there's music!
Saturday Troupers[25FA]
09/6/25 - 11/15/25, 1:00PM - 1:55PM | SA
Ages 7 to 12 | Jillian Grieve | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTYM76
Members $220 | Non-Members $220
Create a new show and perform it! Students will learn to write, become storytellers, and build various pieces, to cultivate acting skills, and perform.
Audition Workshop[25FA]
10/18/25 - 11/15/25, 10:00AM - 10:55AM | SA
Ages 11 to 14 | Spencer Greenwood | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTYM136
Members $100 | Non-Members $100
Prep for the Spring Musical Audition! Learn confidence, from the moment you walk in the room, slate, present, strategies for dry reads, and call backs. Combat those nerves, and have audition success! Spencer is a featured teaching artist, and was recently the Trunchbull in our production of Matilda.
Step Up your Auditions[25FA]
10/13/25 - 11/17/25, 6:00PM - 6:55PM | MO
Ages 14 to 120 | Spencer Greenwood | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTMA51
Members $120 | Non-Members $120
Prep for the Spring Musical Audition! Learn confidence, from the moment you walk in the room, slate, present, strategies for dry reads, and call backs. Combat those nerves, and have audition success! Spencer is a featured teaching artist, and was recently the Trunchbull in our production of Matilda.
Moving Pictures: Stage & Screen [25FA] - Cancelled
09/8/25 - 09/29/25, 5:00PM - 5:55PM | MO
Ages 11 to 14 | Christie Dobson | Lawrence Arts Center
N/A | FTYM21
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Collaborate and create an original theatre and film piece.
Theatre Sports[25FA] - Cancelled
09/8/25 - 10/6/25, 4:00PM - 4:55PM | MO
Ages 11 to 14 | Jeanne C. Averill | Lawrence Arts Center
N/A | FYTM11
Members $100 | Non-Members $100
Learn improvisational and theater skills through a variety of theater games that are often played by partners and teams.

Family Play

Imagination & Adventure

Fairytale Adventures[25FA]
09/6/25 - 09/27/25, 9:00AM - 9:45AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTYM26
Members $70 | Non-Members $70
We will explore classic fairytales, with new stories every week! We will play with the stories and add our own spin to them!
Kinder Theatre A[25FA]
10/4/25 - 10/25/25, 9:00AM - 9:55AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTYM16a
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Start exploring theatre with your favorite stories and characters! We will use books, props, and our imaginations to create worlds and stories together!
Kinder Theatre B[25FA]
11/1/25 - 11/22/25, 9:00AM - 9:55AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Jillian Grieve | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | FTYM16b
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Start exploring theatre with your favorite stories and characters! We will use books, props, and our imaginations to create worlds and stories together!
Imagine Together[25FA]
11/1/25 - 11/22/25, 10:00AM - 10:45AM | SA
Ages 3 to 6 | Leah Towle | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTYM156
Members $70 | Non-Members $70
Imagine a character, a place, and an adventure! And then imagine more! Develop beginning collaboration, improvisation, and acting skills through imaginative dramatic play and movement.

Music

Old-Time String Band with Spencer & Rains: Bring a Friend[25FA]
10/21/25 - 11/18/25, 7:00PM - 8:25PM | TU
Ages 14 to 120 | Howard H Rains | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTMA42
Members $225 | Non-Members $225
Come learn traditional old-time music! Fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, or bass. Knowledge of the style is not required but you should be able to play your instrument. All levels. Must bring own instrument. This class is eligible to participate in the Arts After Dark Showcase.
Clarinet Fundies: Crossing the Break[25FA]
10/16/25 - 11/20/25, 5:30PM - 6:25PM | TH
Ages 10 to 13 | Justin Harbaugh | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FYTM54
Members $120 | Non-Members $120
What's that key for on the back of the clarinet? That's the register key, and will get you up into the clarion register. Learn the tips and tricks of producing these beautiful tones with control and ease.
Me & YOUkulele[25FA]
11/1/25 - 11/22/25, 11:00AM - 11:55AM | SA
Ages 6 to 10 | Leah Towle | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTYM166
Members $80 | Non-Members $80
Get to know your ukulele with this beginner course! Students will learn simple chords and basic strumming patterns in a beginner friendly way. No music experience needed. Students must provide their own ukulele.
Music Makers[25FA]
11/1/25 - 11/22/25, 9:00AM - 9:45AM | SA
Ages 2 to 5 | Leah Towle | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FTYM146
Members $70 | Non-Members $70
Are you always dancing around your house? Playing instruments or making noise? Join your young person and explore music through play!

Performance Skill Building

Summer Youth Theatre

Technical Theatre

Stitch & Sketch: Cosplay Creation & Figure Drawing[25FA]
10/1/25 - 11/19/25, 5:00PM - 6:25PM | WE
Ages 12 to 18 | Knox McClendon | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | FYTM43
Members $265 | Non-Members $265
In this special crossover class with Youth Visual Arts, students must bring their own base costume, and we will design and create cosplay accessories and embellishments for 5 weeks followed by 3 weeks of Life Drawing. Learn poses and draw each other.
Nutcrackin'! The Technical Boogaloo Holiday Special[25FA]
11/1/25 - 12/6/25, 1:30PM - 4:30PM | SA
Ages 12 to 18 | Lexey Jost | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | CRACKIN
Members $200 | Non-Members $200
Technical Theatre is BACK in this holiday extravaganza! Students of the LAC Tech program are invited to the shop as we unpack our yearly production: A Kansas Nutcracker. They'll learn the ins and outs of a "show-in-a-box:" matching paint styles and colors, building replacement mechanical parts, rehabilitating electrical components, and developing a love-hate relationship with Tchaikovsky. Prerequisite: Completion of a previous LAC tech class. No class Nov. 29.
kids in a play in stage

Make Art Part of Their Daily Life

Interested in enrolling in youth theatre at Lawrence Arts Center School of Theatre & Music? We have financial aid available to those who need it to ensure classes are accessible to everyone.

kids in a play

Take The Stage

Learn more about audition opportunities for our upcoming performances!

Auditions

Art is for Everyone

Making Art Accessible to All

Lawrence Arts Center is here to ensure anyone—of any age and any background—can connect with a supportive community and flex their creative muscles. With contemporary exhibitions, performances, and an array of theatre and music education classes for adults and kids, everyone will find something that’s right for them.

Our primary state-of-the-art facility at 940 New Hampshire St. features classrooms, studios, theatres, and more. To further support the community, we also have a space for classes and rehearsal at 10th & Mass Studios.

What's So Great About Our Youth Theatre And Music Classes?