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

Family Play

Imagination & Adventure

Music

Performance Skill Building

Summer Youth Theatre

SYT Senior Musical: Once Upon a One More Time[26SU]
06/29/26 - 07/23/26, 4:00PM - 9:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 14 to 18 | Justin Harbaugh | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | 26CPONE
Members $350 | Non-Members $350
Auditions April 26: Powered by the chart-topping hits of the undisputed Princess of Pop, Once Upon A One More Time turns our favorite fairytales upside down with a clever twist! When a fairy godmother goes rogue and plops copies of The Feminine Mystique in the laps of classic heroines, the damsels embark on a quest to rewrite their stories and redefine “happily ever after.” 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. Rehearsals 4 weeks, June 29-July 23. M-Th | 4-9:30pm; F | 4-7pm Performances: July 24 | 7pm, July 25 | 2pm & 7pm
SYT Junior Play: The Pied Piper of Hamelin[26SU]
06/29/26 - 07/16/26, 1:00PM - 5:00PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 10 to 14 | Jillian Grieve | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | 26CPPIE
Members $295 | Non-Members $295
Auditions April 26: Falstaff, a theatre cat, is kicked into the alley after sneaking an unearned bow with the cast of a production of Romeo and Juliet—a scene the audience sees from a backstage perspective. Threatened by mean street rats and defended by alley cat allies, Falstaff narrowly averts an all-out war by inviting both groups to join him backstage to perform his own version of The Pied Piper of Hamelin. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child. Rehearsals: 3 weeks, June 29 - July 16. No rehearsal July 3rd. M-F | 1-5PM. Performances: July 17 | 7PM, July 18 | 2PM & 7PM.
SYT Rookies: Galactic Garden Party[26SU]
07/13/26 - 07/17/26, 9:00AM - 11:30AM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 6 to 10 | TBD | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | 26CPY1G
Members $135 | Non-Members $135
Blast off into a whimsical world where outer space meets the natural world! Students explore storytelling, movement, and character creation inspired by aliens, astronauts, sentient plants, and far-off planets.
SYT Rookies: Drama Llamas[26SU]
07/20/26 - 07/24/26, 9:00AM - 11:30AM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 6 to 10 | MK Shultz | 10th & Mass Studios
Enrolling Now | 26CPY1H
Members $135 | Non-Members $135
Big drama. No prob-llama. Big characters, bold choices, and a little silliness come together as we create a story about a very dramatic llama farm.
SYT Internship Program[26SU]
05/27/26 - 07/22/26, 12:30PM - 1:30PM | WE
Ages 15 to 21 | Justin Harbaugh | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | 25CPY6
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 Justin Harbaugh at justin@lawrenceartscenter.org by Saturday, May 2nd. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
SYT Tech: July Session[26SU]
06/29/26 - 07/24/26, 9:00AM - 12:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 11 to 18 | TBD | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | 26CPY4B
Members $285 | Non-Members $285
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. Students enrolled in tech class are expected to do run crew for a show. As part of this course, each student will work as a crew member on one of our June SYT performances. No class on June 19th in observation of Juneteenth. SYT placement is by grade, contact us if you have questions about which program to enroll your child.
SYT Costumes: July Session[26SU]
06/29/26 - 07/24/26, 9:30AM - 12:30PM | MO, TU, WE, TH, FR
Ages 11 to 18 | TBD | Lawrence Arts Center
Enrolling Now | 26CPY5B
Members $260 | Non-Members $260
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.

Technical Theatre

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?