Course Listings

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

SUNNY DAYS

Come and play—everything’s A-OK on Sesame Street! Students will visit the neighborhood and meet with some of their favorite friends—Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and more.

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

SUNNY DAYS

Come and play—everything’s A-OK on Sesame Street!
Students will visit the neighborhood and meet with
some of their favorite friends—Elmo, Cookie Monster,
Big Bird and more.

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

PUP-TASTIC ADVENTURES

No job is too big, no pup is too small! Join Ryder and the Paw Patrol pups for an action-packed week of rescue missions, adventure, and teamwork-filled fun.

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

PUP-TASTIC ADVENTURES

No job is too big, no pup is too small! Join Ryder and the Paw Patrol pups for an action-packed week of rescue missions, adventure, and teamwork-filled fun.

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

GOLDEN TICKETS & GIANT PEACHES

Welcome to the wacky world of Roald Dahl, where chocolate rivers flow, giants roam, and clever kids outsmart the grown-ups. Dive into Dahl’s imaginative stories and experience whizzpopping wonders!

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

GOLDEN TICKETS & GIANT PEACHES

Welcome to the wacky world of Roald Dahl, where chocolate rivers flow, giants roam, and clever kids outsmart the grown-ups. Dive into Dahl’s imaginative stories and experience whizzpopping wonders!

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

TREE HOUSE TIME TRAVELERS

From the age of dinosaurs to life on mars, adventure awaits in the Magic Tree House! Join Jack and Annie on thrilling journeys through time filled with daring quests and incredible discoveries.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

MINION MAYHEM

Minions, assemble! It’s time for mischief and mayhem, Minion style. Take on the role of your favorite little yellow troublemakers and cause some messes, create hilarious schemes, and spread joyous chaos.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

MUSHROOM KINGDOM MADNESS

Let’s-a-go! Power up with Mario and friends for an action packed adventure! Jump into colorful levels, creative challenges, and work together to outsmart Bowser’s tricky traps.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

FRACTURED FAIRYTALES

Once upon a time in a land far, far, away… everything went wrong! Work together to untangle your favorite fairytale stories and give them a surprising twist.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

FRACTURED FAIRYTALES

Once upon a time in a land far, far, away… everything went wrong! Work together to untangle your favorite fairytale stories and give them a surprising twist.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

MUSHROOM KINGDOM MADNESS

Let’s-a-go! Power up with Mario and friends for an action packed adventure! Jump into colorful levels, creative challenges, and work together to outsmart Bowser’s tricky traps.

Dive into Musical Theater, Scene Study, and Voice & Speech to build confidence and creativity. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Dive into Musical Theater, Scene Study, and Voice & Speech to build confidence and creativity. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Dive into Musical Theater, Scene Study, and Voice & Speech to build confidence and creativity. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Explore Acting Theory, Improvisation, Musical Theater, Shakespeare, Voice & Movement, and Design to strengthen your artistry through bold choices, creative problem-solving, and versatility. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of
voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

BLUEY & FRIENDS

Welcome to Calypso’s Kindy, where little imaginations go on big adventures! Join Bluey and her friends for a fun-filled week of interactive storytelling and creative play. Every day brings new games and adventures—because in Calypso’s Kindy, play is for real life!

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of
voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

BLUEY & FRIENDS

Welcome to Calypso’s Kindy, where little imaginations go on big adventures! Join Bluey and her friends for a fun-filled week of interactive storytelling and creative play. Every day brings new games and adventures—because in Calypso’s Kindy, play is for real life!

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

SUNNY DAYS

Come and play—everything’s A-OK on Sesame Street! Students will visit the neighborhood and meet with some of their favorite friends—Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and more.

Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Students will begin to develop their actor toolbox of voice, body, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems.

SUNNY DAYS

Come and play—everything’s A-OK on Sesame Street! Students will visit the neighborhood and meet with some of their favorite friends—Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and more.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

MINION MAYHEM

Minions, assemble! It’s time for mischief and mayhem, Minion style. Take on the role of your favorite little yellow troublemakers and cause some messes, create hilarious schemes, and spread joyous chaos.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

MINIFIG ADVENTURES

Step into the block-tastic world of LEGOLAND — where every brick builds a new adventure! Journey through different realms, build imaginative creations, and work as a team to solve creative challenges.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

MINIFIG ADVENTURES

Step into the block-tastic world of LEGOLAND — where every brick builds a new adventure! Journey through different realms, build imaginative creations, and work as a team to solve creative challenges.

Each session is a new adventure as students utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work together to pull inspiration from these popular themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own characters and brand new story.

MINION MAYHEM

Minions, assemble! It’s time for mischief and mayhem, Minion style. Take on the role of your favorite little yellow troublemakers and cause some messes, create hilarious schemes, and spread joyous chaos.

Dive into Musical Theater, Scene Study, and Voice & Speech to build confidence and creativity. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Dive into Musical Theater, Scene Study, and Voice & Speech to build confidence and creativity. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Dive into Musical Theater, Scene Study, and Voice & Speech to build confidence and creativity. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Explore Acting Theory, Improvisation, Musical Theater, and Shakespeare to strengthen your artistry through bold choices, creative problem solving, and versatility. Begin and end each day in community as you set goals, reflect, and celebrate your progress.

Step into a supportive, judgment-free space designed for neurodivergent students and build confidence as an artist and a person. Engage in Acting Theory and Musical Theater each day, guided by teaching artists and special education professionals who champion growth, exploration, and authentic self-expression.

CLASS SIZES: 8 students per class with a team of lead teachers, special education professionals, and teaching assistants with approximately a 2:1 student to teacher ratio. Family aides may accompany a student to class as necessary and agreed upon between the family and First Stage.

Step into a supportive, judgment-free space designed for neurodivergent students and build confidence as an artist and a person. Engage in Acting Theory and Musical Theater each day, guided by teaching artists and special education professionals who champion growth, exploration, and authentic self-expression.

CLASS SIZES: 8 students per class with a team of lead teachers, special education professionals, and teaching assistants with approximately a 2:1 student to teacher ratio. Family aides may accompany a student to class as necessary and agreed upon between the family and First Stage.

Step into a supportive, judgment-free space designed for neurodivergent students and build confidence as an artist and a person. Engage in Acting Theory and Musical Theater each day, guided by teaching artists and special education professionals who champion growth, exploration, and authentic self-expression.

CLASS SIZES: 8 students per class with a team of lead teachers, special education professionals, and teaching assistants with approximately a 2:1 student to teacher ratio. Family aides may accompany a student to class as necessary and agreed upon between the family and First Stage.

SCENE STUDY: SHADOWS & SUSPENSE

Step into the shadows and bring suspenseful stories to life! Explore how movement and voice can create dramatic tension, crafting haunting scenes while growing as confident performers.

MUSICAL THEATER: MUSICAL VILLAINS

Embrace your inner villain! Explore dark and dramatic villain characters through powerful songs and bold movements, learning to command the stage with style, power, and a touch of wickedness.

ACTING: HAUNTED ADVENTURES

Enter if you dare... Explore acting techniques through mood, tension, and storytelling, using material inspired by First Stage’s past production

MUSICAL THEATER: WHIMSY & WONDER

Step into a world of whimsy and wonder! Explore imaginative, larger-than-life worlds and build skills in character and storytelling through song, movement, and scene work

YOU & ME: TOGETHER WITH GO, DOG. GO!

Explore the colorful world of Go, Dog. Go! and other stories by P.D. Eastman, together! Create special shared moments in this class designed for young people and their favorite grown-up.

STORY DRAMA: GO, DOG. GO! & MORE JOYFUL CLASSICS

Use your voice, body, and imagination, to bring the playful worlds of P.D. Eastman’s stories to life! Create energetic characters and explore storytelling through movement and expression.

PLAYMAKERS: SEUSS ON THE LOOSE

Oh the places we’ll go in the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss! Imagination runs wild with silly rhymes, colorful characters, and wacky worlds inspired by classic tales

PLAYMAKERS: SEUSS ON THE LOOSE

Oh the places we’ll go in the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss! Imagination runs wild with silly rhymes, colorful characters, and wacky worlds inspired by classic tales

SCENE STUDY: SHADOWS & SUSPENSE

Step into the shadows and bring suspenseful stories to life! Explore how movement and voice can create dramatic tension, crafting haunting scenes while growing as confident performers.

ACTING: HAUNTED ADVENTURES

Enter if you dare... Explore acting techniques through mood, tension, and storytelling, using material inspired by First Stage’s past productions

MUSICAL THEATER: MUSICAL VILLAINS

Embrace your inner villain! Explore dark and dramatic villain characters through powerful songs and bold movements, learning to command the stage with style, power, and a touch of wickedness

MUSICAL THEATER: WHIMSY & WONDER

Step into a world of whimsy and wonder! Explore imaginative, larger-than-life worlds and build skills in character and storytelling through song, movement, and scene work.

IMPROVISATION

Develop expressiveness, spontaneity, and train your brain to think quickly and with reason through improvisational character and scene work.

STAGE COMBAT: UNARMED

Stage combat is the art of creating stunts, falls, and fights—safely! Explore unarmed stage combat through physical comedy and fight techniques to tell bold, comedic stories.

AUDITION PREP

Want to nail your auditions with confidence? Learn how to show up prepared, make bold choices, and adapt in the moment.

NEXT STEPS

Step into a supportive, judgment-free space designed for neurodivergent students to grow as artists and individuals.

Guided by the philosophy of teaching life skills through stage skills, each class centers the joy of theater arts while building confidence, creativity, and connection.

Special registration form required — to register, contact nextsteps@firststage.org or call (414) 267-2941.

Class Sizes: Our classroom model includes teams of lead teachers, special education professionals, and teaching assistants with approximately a 2:1 student to teacher ratio. Family aides may accompany a student to class as necessary and agreed upon between the family and First Stage.

Curriculum: Students explore character, relationships, action, and text in a safe, welcoming environment that encourages expression without fear of failure, supporting meaningful next steps on stage and beyond.

STORY DRAMA: GO, DOG. GO! & MORE JOYFUL CLASSICS

Use your voice, body, and imagination, to bring the playful worlds of P.D. Eastman’s stories to life! Create energetic characters and explore storytelling through movement and expression.

PLAYMAKERS: SEUSS ON THE LOOSE

Oh the places we’ll go in the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss! Imagination runs wild with silly rhymes, colorful characters, and wacky worlds inspired by classic tales.

SCENE STUDY: SHADOWS & SUSPENSE

Step into the shadows and bring suspenseful stories to life! Explore how movement and voice can create dramatic tension, crafting haunting scenes while growing as confident performers.

MUSICAL THEATER: MUSICAL VILLAINS

Embrace your inner villain! Explore dark and dramatic villain characters through powerful songs and bold movements, learning to command the stage with style, power, and a touch of wickedness.

MUSICAL THEATER: WHIMSY & WONDER

Step into a world of whimsy and wonder! Explore imaginative, larger-than-life worlds and build skills in character and storytelling through song, movement, and scene work.

STORY DRAMA: GO, DOG. GO! & MORE JOYFUL CLASSICS

Use your voice, body, and imagination, to bring the playful worlds of P.D. Eastman’s stories to life! Create energetic characters and explore storytelling through movement and expression.

PLAYMAKERS: SEUSS ON THE LOOSE

Oh the places we’ll go in the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss! Imagination runs wild with silly rhymes, colorful characters, and wacky worlds inspired by classic tales.

SCENE STUDY: SHADOWS & SUSPENSE

Step into the shadows and bring suspenseful stories to life! Explore how movement and voice can create dramatic tension, crafting haunting scenes while growing as confident performers.

MUSICAL THEATER: MUSICAL VILLAINS

Embrace your inner villain! Explore dark and dramatic villain characters through powerful songs and bold movements, learning to command the stage with style, power, and a touch of wickedness.