REGISTER FOR CLASSES

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.

Some stories stand the test of time, while others slowly fade away. Explore forgotten tales, literary classics, and hidden gems through scene work, character exploration, and imagination.

What if making a mistake was the best thing that could happen? Embrace the unexpected and explore the art of clowning through play, curiosity, and physical comedy.

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

Bring colorful characters and exciting stories to life through singing, dancing, and acting—inspired by First Stage favorites like Ella Enchanted, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and Shrek.

Bring colorful characters and exciting stories to life through singing, dancing, and acting—inspired by First Stage favorites like Ella Enchanted, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and Shrek.

Bring colorful characters and exciting stories to life through singing, dancing, and acting—inspired by First Stage favorites like Ella Enchanted, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and Shrek.

From classic favorites to modern hits, experience the magic of movie musicals from the inside out! Explore songs, choreography, and characters from some of the most memorable movie musicals.

From classic favorites to modern hits, experience the magic of movie musicals from the inside out! Explore songs, choreography, and characters from some of the most memorable movie musicals.

There are Heffalumps and Woozles in the Hundred Acre Wood! Use your voice, body, and imagination to help Pooh and his friends as you set out on a whimsical adventure filled with mischief and mystery.

There are Heffalumps and Woozles in the Hundred Acre Wood! Use your voice, body, and imagination to help Pooh and his friends as you set out on a whimsical adventure filled with mischief and mystery.

There are Heffalumps and Woozles in the Hundred Acre Wood! Use your voice, body, and imagination to help Pooh and his friends as you set out on a whimsical adventure filled with mischief and mystery.

Explore timeless literary classics that have inspired generations of readers. Bring memorable characters and scenes to life while deepening your appreciation for great storytelling.

Explore timeless literary classics that have inspired generations of readers. Bring memorable characters and scenes to life while deepening your appreciation for great storytelling.

Explore timeless literary classics that have inspired generations of readers. Bring memorable characters and scenes to life while deepening your appreciation for great storytelling.

Learn how to fight like a pirate! Stage combat is the art of creating stunts, falls, and fights—safely. Explore sword techniques to tell classic swashbuckling stories.

Join Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and friends and explore the Hundred Acre Wood! Use your voice, body, and imagination to embark on exciting adventures and discover the values of friendship, kindness, courage, and teamwork.

Join Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and friends and explore the Hundred Acre Wood! Use your voice, body, and imagination to embark on exciting adventures and discover the values of friendship, kindness, courage, and teamwork.

Explore the huggable world of Winnie-the Pooh and other stories from the Hundred Acre Wood, together! Create special shared moments in this class designed for young people and their favorite grown-up.

Bring colorful characters and exciting stories to life through singing, dancing, and acting—inspired by First Stage favorites like Ella Enchanted, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and Shrek.

From classic favorites to modern hits, experience the magic of movie musicals from the inside out! Explore songs, choreography, and characters from some of the most memorable movie musicals.

There are Heffalumps and Woozles in the Hundred Acre Wood! Use your voice, body, and imagination to help Pooh and his friends as you set out on a whimsical adventure filled with mischief and mystery.

Explore timeless literary classics that have inspired generations of readers. Bring memorable characters and scenes to life while deepening your appreciation for great storytelling.

Join Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and friends and explore the Hundred Acre Wood! Use your voice, body, and imagination to embark on exciting adventures and discover the values of friendship, kindness, courage, and teamwork.

Step into a supportive, judgement-free space designed for neurodivergent students to grow as artist 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. 

Some stories stand the test of time, while others slowly fade away. Explore forgotten tales, literary classics, and hidden gems through scene work, character exploration, and imagination.

Every story needs the characters who dare to be different. Students will explore unforgettable misfits, lovable outcasts, and unlikely heroes from the past 40 years of First Stage productions, bringing their stories to life through scene work and character development.

Every story needs the characters who dare to be different. Students will explore unforgettable misfits, lovable outcasts, and unlikely heroes from the past 40 years of First Stage productions, bringing their stories to life through scene work and character development.

Every great production begins with a vision. Students will step into the role of director, learning how to shape a story, guide actors, and bring the vision from page to stage.

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

Unleash your inner rock star! Explore the electrifying world of rock and jukebox musicals through powerful songs, bold choreography, and serious rock star acting. Command the stage with your confidence, energy, and rocking style.

Unleash your inner rock star! Explore the electrifying world of rock and jukebox musicals through powerful songs, bold choreography, and serious rock star acting. Command the stage with your confidence, energy, and rocking style.

Unleash your inner rock star! Explore the electrifying world of rock and jukebox musicals through powerful songs, bold choreography, and serious rock star acting. Command the stage with your confidence, energy, and rocking style.

Unleash your inner rock star! Explore the electrifying world of rock and jukebox musicals through powerful songs, bold choreography, and serious rock star acting. Command the stage with your confidence, energy, and rocking style.

Not every show is a blockbuster, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth discovering! In this class, students will explore song, characters, and stories from musicals that may have closed too soon, but continue to inspire performers and audiences alike.

Not every show is a blockbuster, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth discovering! In this class, students will explore song, characters, and stories from musicals that may have closed too soon, but continue to inspire performers and audiences alike.

Not every show is a blockbuster, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth discovering! In this class, students will explore song, characters, and stories from musicals that may have closed too soon, but continue to inspire performers and audiences alike.

Something has gone wrong in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! Students will use their voice, body, and imagination to help Wonka solve the sweet chaos and bring this candy-filled adventure to life!

Something has gone wrong in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! Students will use their voice, body, and imagination to help Wonka solve the sweet chaos and bring this candy-filled adventure to life!

Something has gone wrong in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! Students will use their voice, body, and imagination to help Wonka solve the sweet chaos and bring this candy-filled adventure to life!

Something has gone wrong in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory! Students will use their voice, body, and imagination to help Wonka solve the sweet chaos and bring this candy-filled adventure to life!

Jump into Frist Stage Theater Academy’s favorite stories from the past 40 years. Anything from Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse to Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever. Strengthen your acting skills through character development and scene analysis all while building confidence and sharpening your presentation skills.

Jump into Frist Stage Theater Academy’s favorite stories from the past 40 years. Anything from Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse to Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever. Strengthen your acting skills through character development and scene analysis all while building confidence and sharpening your presentation skills.

Jump into Frist Stage Theater Academy’s favorite stories from the past 40 years. Anything from Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse to Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever. Strengthen your acting skills through character development and scene analysis all while building confidence and sharpening your presentation skills.

Jump into Frist Stage Theater Academy’s favorite stories from the past 40 years. Anything from Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse to Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever. Strengthen your acting skills through character development and scene analysis all while building confidence and sharpening your presentation skills.

Using inspiration from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe we learn how to create a mass battle fight while being mystical creatures from Narnia. Learning how to be safe with swords and staff while telling the story of fighting against the white witch.

Inspired by Mo Willems’ hilarious series, students will use their voice, body, and imagination to create silly scenes, explore expressive characters, and maybe even help The Pigeon find a hot dog.

Inspired by Mo Willems’ hilarious series, students will use their voice, body, and imagination to create silly scenes, explore expressive characters, and maybe even help The Pigeon find a hot dog.

Inspired by Mo Willems’ hilarious series, students will use their voice, body, and imagination to create silly scenes, explore expressive characters, and maybe even help The Pigeon find a hot dog.

Mo Willems’ characters, Gerald and Piggie, know that every day is better with a friend! Create special shared moments in this class designed for young people and their favorite grown-up.

Note: An adult, parent, or guardian must accompany their student to all You & Me classes.

Step into a supportive, judgement-free space designed for neurodivergent students to grow as artist 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.