When every platform is a stage and every stage is an opportunity to perform, it’s time to find a platform for your littles to shine. Here are the top classes, auditions and workshops around the area that will allow your kids to ‘act out’ and be as dramatic as they want!
Young People’s Theatre (Ann Arbor)
Young People’s Theatre nurtures the intellectual, artistic, and personal development of young people, helping them find their “inner light” of self-confidence, sensitivity, creativity, and leadership. YPT thrives as a completely volunteer-run organization partnering with individual donors and corporate sponsors to be “world class”, offering professional theater experiences, training, and educational opportunities for young people pre-school through high school.
Classes:
- Summer Camps – Ages 5-17
Address: 331 Metty Drive, Suite #3, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: 734.222.4006
Village Players (Birmingham)
The youth theater of the Village Players was founded in 2007 to provide a variety of theatrical experiences to youth ages eight to eighteen. Its mission is to offer theatrical programs that inspire and challenge young actors to develop their artistic talents and their self-confidence, self-awareness, compassion and leadership and teamwork skills. Youth in our program can be involved onstage as actors or behind the scenes as members of the production team. VYT’s experienced production staff provides artistic education and direction in a fun-filled and professional environment.
Classes:
- Prepares students for annual stage performances – Ages 8 – 18
- Summer camp- Ages 8-16
Address: 34660 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI 48009
Phone: 248.644.2075
Acting Out Kids Community Theatre (Clawson)
Acting Out Kids Community Theatre (AOK) is an inclusive, youth-centered performing arts theatre and production studio dedicated to developing talents and confidence. At AOK we offer plays, films, YouTube and cable TV shows, local commercials, classes, workshops, field trips, community events and drop-in events.
Classes:
- Junior Theatre – Ages 4-7
- Acting & Improv – Ages 8-14
- Channel Magnificent – Ages 10-18
- Workshops
Address: Multiple locations in Oakland County
Phone: 248.302.8947
Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus (Detroit)
The Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus provides choral music and theatrical performance instruction in a professional environment to young people. Offering a curriculum that embraces diverse cultures and traditions and a rich and extensive range of musical genres, the program seeks to instill personal and artistic excellence in its students. Led by Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus Master Suzanne Mallare Acton and Children’s Chorus Assistant Director and Conductor Dianna Hochella, this permanent children’s choir is the first of its kind for Detroit-area children.
Classes:
- Preparatory Chorus – Ages 8-11
- Principle Chorus – Ages 10-16
Address: 1526 Broadway Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313.680.6682
Matrix Theatre Company (Detroit)
Through Matrix’s sequential curriculum and unique learner-centered approach, young people in the metro-Detroit area have the opportunity to create new works that call attention to crucial issues in their lives. Participants improve their literacy and language skills as they collaboratively write and perform original plays that entertain as well as educate. Students can also expect to acquire confidence in themselves, their own ideas, and their ability to affect positive change.
Classes:
- Play Time – Ages 5 – 17
- Build – A- Play – Ages 6-13
- Summer Camp – 6-17
- Workshops and Special Events
Address: 2730 Bagley St. Detroit MI 48216
Phone: 313.967.0999 ext 3
Mosaic Performing Arts (Detroit)
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit offers critically acclaimed student-driven performances. Its national and international tours have brought worldwide attention to Detroit as a center for arts and culture while shining a spotlight on the area’s talented young people and creating new and diverse audiences for the performing arts. These innovative programs provide expert training, mentoring and opportunity to the area’s young actors, singers, and stage technicians, while fostering a culture of high expectations, active participation and acceptance that serves them beyond the stage.
Classes:
- Youth Ensembles – Ages 12-17
- Back Stage – Ages 15+
- Summer Camp
Address: 2251 Antietam Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: 313.872.6910
Farmington Hills Youth Theatre (Farmington Hills)
The Farmington Hills Youth Theatre welcomes and encourages both newcomers and experienced actors (Grades 1-12 and adults) to audition for its spring show. This original full-Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast features a variety of roles at all performance levels and all ages. Auditions are open to both residents and non-residents of Farmington Hill, and participants may drop in any time during the designated audition hours. The process is easy and friendly, and no prior preparation is necessary.
Classes:
- Prepares students for annual stage performances – Ages 5-17
Address:29995 W. 12 Mile Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: 248.699.6700
Grosse Pointe Theatre (Grosse Pointe)
Grosse Pointe Theatre’s Youth on Stage program has been an annual offering to the community since 2001. The program teaches youth, ages six to fourteen, basic acting and performance techniques through their participation in classroom sessions and in live performance under the guidance and direction of seasoned actors and directors from Grosse Pointe Theatre and guest artists.
Classes:
- Youth on Stage – Ages 6 – 14
- Summer Camp – Ages 6-14
Address: 315 Fisher Rd, Grosse Pointe MI 48230
Phone: 313.881.4004
Motor City Youth Theatre (Livonia)
Motor City Youth Theatre accepts all aspiring actors with varied levels of experience and welcomes children with special needs. Unlike most programs, MCYT accepts all children and guides them toward becoming creative and talented leaders who advance to adult theatre programs and other professions.
Classes:
- Prepares students for annual stage performances – Ages 8-17
Address: 27555 Grantland St, Livonia, Michigan
Phone: 313.214.0075
The Actor’s Workshop (Madison Heights)
This program is designed for the professional child, covering audition techniques and comparing/contrasting between theatre and film and utilizing film production terminology. We explore exactly what it’s like to work as young actors. An excellent preparation for kids pursuing both theatre and on-camera auditions, but also a rich and rewarding experience for any youngster.
Classes:
- Children’s Workshop- Ages 4-10
- Tween Actors – Ages 11- 14
- Teen Actors – Ages 14 – 18
Address: 929 W. 11 Mile Road in Madison Heights, MI 48071
Phone: 248.919.8233
Young People’s Theatre (Ann Arbor)
Young People’s Theatre nurtures the intellectual, artistic, and personal development of young people, helping them find their “inner light” of self-confidence, sensitivity, creativity, and leadership. YPT thrives as a completely volunteer-run organization partnering with individual donors and corporate sponsors to be “world class”, offering professional theater experiences, training, and educational opportunities for young people pre-school through high school.
Classes:
- Summer Camps – Ages 5-17
Address: 331 Metty Drive, Suite #3, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: 734.222.4006
Pontiac Youth Theatre (Pontiac)
Established in 2022, Pontiac Youth Theatre is cultivating a transformative training ground for youth in our community, helping them understand their value and worth through the vehicle of the performing arts. Our mission is to bring young artists from diverse backgrounds together to foster unity through storytelling. The program offers 12-week courses for Oakland County-based youth ages 8-18, under the guidance of professional technical and artistic staff, culminating in masterfully produced performances.
Address: Flagstar Strand Theatre – 12 N Saginaw St, Pontiac, MI 48342
Stagecrafters (Royal Oak)
Stagecrafters is committed to creating and nurturing opportunities for young people and their families through its Youth Theatre (SYT). SYT performs live theatrical plays by youth for youth with the goal of fostering teamwork, self-esteem and an enthusiasm for the arts. Youth between the ages of 8 and 18 may join SYT.
Classes:
- Classes – Ages 8-18
- Workshops
Address: 1527 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: 877.636.3320
Ridgedale Players (Troy)
Ridgedale players is committed to providing the community an opportunity to both attend and participate in quality theatrical works. The group provides education to children and adults in the theatre arts.
Classes:
- Junior Actors of Ridgedale – Ages 8-18
- Teen Actors of Ridgedale – Ages 13-18
Address: 205 W Long Lake Rd. Troy, MI 48098
Phone: 248.988.7049
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