Theater Classes for Kids and Teens in CT
On the surface, Connecticut might seem like a small state with not much to offer for creatives and artists alike but beneath its suburban towns and beautiful state parks, CT holds some other treasures, especially for young actors looking to further their craft!
If you’re looking for after-school theater classes, arts programming, fun extracurricular activities or even professional acting training in the state of CT, check out some of my recommendations below.
The following arts organizations and performing arts studios offer theater classes for kids and teen actors looking to nurture their craft (or moms who might simply be looking for fun after-school programs to enroll their creative kids in!)
Types of Theater Classes
I’ve curated a list of regional theaters, local theaters and arts organizations that offer different types of theater classes for students and teens. Most of these classes feature subjects like:
Acting Techniques
Acting Styles
Acting for Film and TV
Acting for the Stage
Voiceover Acting
Audition Prep
Commercial Technique
Musical Theater (including singing and a variety of dance styles like tap, ballet and jazz, among others).
Circus Arts
Monologues
Scene Study
Shakespeare
Theater BA/BFA College Prep
After-School Theater Programs
In-School Theater Programs (this is in reference to a theater and a public-school partnership, where a contracted Teaching Artist from a local theater, brings their curriculum into the classroom and runs some type of theater class, theater workshop or long-term theater program).
Student Productions (including auditions, rehearsals and performance time)
Summer Camps or Intensive Summer Theater Programs
Regional Theaters in CT
Many of CT’s regional theaters and professional producing houses offer acting classes and theater programs through their education departments. For the sake of this blog post, we’ll focus on classes geared towards kids, teens and young adults.
The following list of theaters and art organizations in CT offer high quality arts programming for aspiring actors or young students looking for a creative after-school outlet. They all offer some variation of in-classroom programming, after-school programming, productions and/or summer camps in: theater, acting and musical theater. Additionally, they all include a wide range of beginner, intermediate and advanced programs, for actors of different skill and comfort levels.
Hartford Stage | Hartford, CT
Goodspeed Musicals | East Haddam, CT
Local Theaters in CT
Seven Angels Theatre | Waterbury, CT
Playhouse on Park | West Hartford, CT
Legacy Theater | Brandford, CT
Center Stage Theater | Shelton, CT
Arts Organizations
Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater | Middletown, CT | Email: info@oddfellows.org | Programs: student productions for ages 12-14 and 14-20, along with after-school classes in: theater, acting, music and circus arts for students ages 6-12.
ActUp Theater | Hartford, CT | Email: productions@actuptheater.org | Programs: community theater productions, performing arts workshops and masterclasses as well as ActUp Theater Arts Academy – an intensive summer program for young actors looking to develop their craft.
CT Family Theater | West Hartford, CT | Email: connecticutfamilytheatre@yahoo.com | Programs: theater training for students ages 6-18. A combination of theater classes and intensives are offered throughout the academic school year including in the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons.
CT Performing Arts Center | South Windsor, CT and Greater Hartford Area | Email: support@CTPerformingArts.com | Programs: summer camps and classes in: theater, music and dance.
Music Theater of CT (MTC) School of Performing Arts | Norwalk, CT | Email: admin@musictheatreofct.com | Programs: private vocal lessons, student productions and classes in: acting, improvisation, musical theater, dance and acting for film and tv.
Newington Children’s Theatre Company | Newington, CT | Email: nctc1617@gmail.com | Programs: after-school student productions, summer productions and a variety of performing arts classes.
The Studio for Performing Arts | New Caanan, CT | Email: TheStudioNewCanaan@gmail.com | Programs: student productions and classes in: acting, acting for the camera and dance.
Fairfield Performing Arts Studios | Fairfield, CT | Email: info@fpas.studio | Programs: summer camps and performing arts classes.
Darien Arts Center | Darien, CT | Email: dacadmin@darienarts.org | Programs: a variety of multi-disciplinary arts programming including classes and workshops in: acting, dance, music and visual arts.
Professional Acting Classes for Kids and Teens
If your child is serious about their craft and looking to take their passion to the next level, check out some professional acting classes below.
The companies I’ve featured largely specialize in coaching and audition prep. Whether you’re looking for personalized coaching, private vocal lessons or an experienced teacher to take a closer look at that upcoming audition scene, these places offer high quality training from industry professionals (and oftentimes, working actors) in the entertainment industry.
A quick google search (ex: “acting classes near me” or “acting classes for kids near me”) might also be helpful, in order to filter out the studios that are closest to you.
Next Stop NY! | Fairfield, CT | Email: nextstopny@gmail.com | Services: private acting coaching, self-tape services and classes in: acting for film & tv, scene study, monologues and commercial technique.
The Greenwich Performing Arts | Greenwich, CT | Email: director@greenwichperformingarts.com | Services: professional classes and coaching in theater and acting.
Present & Perform | Services: personalized coaching and conservatory training for actors applying to BA/BFA theater college programs.
Positive Voices Studio | Shelton, CT | Email: studio@positivevoicesct.com | Services: voiceover casting technique & recording studio services.
AmaSing Voice [CK1] | Wolcott, CT & surrounding areas | Email: amasingvoice@gmail.com | Services: private voice lessons, acting lessons as well as piano, guitar and ukelele.
Art Programs for Kids Near Me
Whether you’re looking for some fun after-school classes or something a little more serious – CT offers a wide range of theater classes for kids and teens of all skill sets and comfort levels.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with local theaters in your area and I can guarantee that you will find great theater classes and arts programming in every corner.
CT is rich in education and truly values creativity in the classrooms. Sometimes it just takes a little search to find the right fit for you!
