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

Great Plays from Greek Mythology[24SU]
07/22/24 - 07/26/24, 2:00PM - 2:55PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 11 to 14 | Jeanne C. Averill | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | CZTY11
Members $94.5 | Non-Members $105
Do you like Percy Jackson? Dive deeper into the world of Greek mythology and act out a play week. We will pick our favorite to present to parents/caregivers on the final class.
The Chayd: Vogueing 101[24SU]
07/2/24 - 07/23/24, 7:00PM - 8:25PM | TU
Ages 14 to 120 | TBD | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | CZTA32
Members $112.5 | Non-Members $125
A course with the intent of making the history of ballroom culture and techniques more accessible to everyone. We will be learning the 5 elements of the Ballroom category “Butch Queen Vogue Femme” along with quintessential pop culture references and impacts from throughout the decades. With special guest Chay D. Boots. Comfortable Shoes and Clothing Recommended. Heels are encouraged, but not required. Last Class requires student participation of costume for the “Final Ball”.
Adult Acting Exploration: Bring a Friend[24SU]
07/11/24 - 08/1/24, 6:00PM - 7:25PM | TH
Ages 18 to 120 | Jeanne C. Averill | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | CZTA24
Members $90 | Non-Members $100
Open to beginner and experienced students, this class will explore how an actor studies a role, develops a character, and builds their portfolio. Bring a friend or family member with you to class (at no extra charge) to be your acting partner! You'll leave ready with skills you can immediately apply toward auditions and performance.

Family Play

Imagination & Adventure

Creative Play: July Session 2[24SU]
07/22/24 - 07/26/24, 1:00PM - 1:55PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 3 to 6 | Kayla Sandusky | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | CZPLAY2
Members $72 | Non-Members $80
Join us for a Summer Youth Theatre experience for our youngest performers. Using their wildest imaginations, students will engage with each other through play and dramatic exploration. This course takes place at 10th & Mass Studios. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.

Music

Performance Skill Building

Summer Youth Theatre

SYT Senior: Cabaret[24SU]
07/1/24 - 07/25/24, 4:00PM - 9:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 14 to 18 | Justin Harbaugh | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | CZCABARET
Members $297 | Non-Members $330
AUDITIONS HELD ON APRIL 28th Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb, Book by Joe Maseroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten & Stories by Christopher Isherwood. Daring, provocative, and exuberantly entertaining, Cabaret explores the dark and heady life of Bohemian Berlin as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Rehearsals: 4 weeks, July 1-July 25. No rehearsal July 4 & 5. M-Th | 4-9:30PM & F | 4-7PM. Performances: July 26 | 7PM, July 27 | 2PM & 7PM. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child. Please note that students in this production will have an independent dinner break during rehearsal that is not overseen by LAC staff members.
SYT Costumes: July Session[24SU]
07/1/24 - 07/26/24, 9:30AM - 12:00PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 11 to 18 | Maya Sabatini | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | CZCOSTUME2
Members $166.5 | Non-Members $185
Guided by industry professionals, students will learn the basics of costume design and use their skills to bring costumes to life for our exciting summer season! As part of this course, participation in July SYT performances is optional. No class July 4 & 5 in observation of Independence Day. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
Super Hero Training Academy[24SU]
07/15/24 - 07/19/24, 9:00AM - 11:30AM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 6 to 10 | TBD | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | CZROOKG
Members $112.5 | Non-Members $125
All great superheroes start somewhere! At the Superhero Training Academy, up-and-coming superheroes hone their powers. What shenanigans and adventures might these young superheroes get into at the Superhero Training Academy? SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
Bamboozled Pirate Treasure Hunt[24SU]
07/22/24 - 07/26/24, 9:00AM - 11:30AM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 6 to 10 | Kayla Sandusky | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | CZROOKH
Members $112.5 | Non-Members $125
Ahoy, mateys! Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure in the Bamboozled Pirate Treasure Hunt! We will set sail on a quest for hidden treasure, creating a pirate-themed play filled with nautical characters, ship sets, and treasure-filled props. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
SYT Internship Program[24SU]
05/30/24 - 07/25/24, 12:30PM - 1:30PM | TH
Ages 15 to 21 | Elizabeth Sullivan | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | CSYTINTERN24
Members $0 | Non-Members $0
SYT's Internship Program is open to high school and college students who want to explore a hands-on theatre work study experience. Each student will be assigned a role for a specific show and will be required to attend weekly meetings over the course of eight weeks. We will be taking a total of twelve to fourteen participants this summer. All positions will be paid by stipend. Our goal is to provide specialized job training and real work experience to make students more competitive in the professional world. To apply, email a resume and letter of interest to Elizabeth Sullivan at elizabeth@lawrenceartscenter.org by Saturday, April 27th. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
SYT Novice/Junior: Alice in Wonderland[24SU]
07/1/24 - 07/18/24, 1:00PM - 5:00PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 10 to 14 | Becky O’Keefe | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | CZALICE
Members $252 | Non-Members $280
AUDITIONS HELD ON APRIL 28th Adapted from Lewis Carroll by Ric Averill. Commissioned for home production and national tour by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. With the help of a Cheshire Cat, an astute Caterpillar, and a righteous Humpty Dumpty, Alice must find her way home and discover who she really is. With original music composed by Ric Averill, this play with music is written specifically for our Summer Youth Theatre 4th-8th graders. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child. Rehearsals: 3 weeks, July 1 - July 18. No rehearsal July 4 & 5. M-F | 1-5PM. Performances: July 19 | 7PM, July 20 | 2PM & 7PM.

Technical Theatre

SYT Tech: July Session[24SU]
07/1/24 - 07/26/24, 9:00AM - 12:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 11 to 18 | Lexey Jost | Lawrence Arts Center
Class is Full - contact about waitlist | CZTECH2
Members $216 | Non-Members $240
Guided by industry professionals, tech theatre students will learn "behind the scenes" basics, specializing in the area that interests them the most: lighting, painting, carpentry, sound, property, and rigging. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child. As part of this course, each student will work as a crew member on one of our July SYT performances. No class July 4 & 5 in observation of Independence Day.
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?