School Year Theater Academy

Academy classFirst Stage Theater Academy is the nation’s largest high impact theater training program for young people. We offer Fall, Winter, School Year Intensive, and Performance classes focusing on Acting, Musical Theater, Improvisation, and much more for students in grades K3 - 12, with classes held at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield.

Professional theater artists from Milwaukee’s thriving theater scene sharing their expertise, skills, and passion for their art. With programming that includes classes in musical theater, scene study and improvisation, students develop their stage skills while simultaneously building life skills, such as confidence, focus, and teamwork. 

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Session Dates | School Year Intensives | Performances Classes | School Year Academy Highlights | Cost | Registration Tips | Student Opportunities

*Please note: Our website is undergoing minor maintenance, which may cause an error message during the registration process. If you have any issues, please contact us by phone at (414) 267-2970 or email academy@firststage.org. Thank you for your patience!

SESSION DATES

Winter Academy

Wednesdays at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, January 15 - March 4, 2020
Saturdays at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, January 18–March 7, 2020
Saturdays at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, January 11 - February 29, 2020

Spring Performance Classes at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
Disney’s JUNGLE BOOK KIDS, grades 3–5, February 24 - March 11, 2020; performances March 12 & 13
Disney’s FROZEN JR., grades 6–8, February 24 - March 18, 2020; performances March 19 & 20

School Year Intensives at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

Advanced Acting, Advanced Musical Theater, Organized Chaos, Playwrights Ensemble, Young Company
Saturdays, October 5 - November 23, 2019
Saturdays, January 18 - March 7, 2020
Saturdays, March 14 - May 9, 2020 (no class April 11)

View our Schedule at a Glance

AUDITION-BASED CLASSES

 

School Year Intensives

Advanced Acting, Advanced Musical Theater, and Organized Chaos will hold auditions on  September 11 from 4:30-6:30pm. Young Company auditions were held August 26-28. Contact academy@firststage.org to learn more and sign up for auditions using the links below.

Saturdays, October 5, 2019 - May 9, 2020

  • Advanced Acting (grades 5-8)  
  • Advanced Musical Theater (grades 5-12)  
  • Organized Chaos (grades 7-12)  
  • Playwrights Ensemble (grades 6-12) This class requires a written submission for admission - contact academy@firststage.org for details.
  • Young Company (grades 9-12)  

Spring Performances Classes - NEW!
Be part of a production with First Stage Theater Academy. Auditions for Spring Performance Classes are held September 17. Contact academy@firststage.org to learn more and sign up for an audition time using the links below.

  • DISNEY'S JUNGLE BOOK KIDS (grades 3-5) - February 24 - March 11, 2020; performances March 12 & 13.  
  • DISNEY'S FROZEN, JR. (grades 6-8) - February 24 - March 18, 2020; performances March 19 & 20.  

Highlights from School Year Theater Academy in 2019/20 include:

  • Playmakers, grades 1-2: Fall: Underwater Worlds; Winter: Arctic Adventures
  • Acting Foundations, grades 3-4: Fall: Time Warp Trip; Winter: The Epic Adventures of Rock, Paper, Scissors
  • Musical Theater, grades 5-6: Fall: Elf - The Musical; Winter: Disney on Broadway
  • Improvisation, grades 7-8: Fall: Advanced Comedy Improv; Winter: Introduction to Long-Form Improv

COST

  • Sessions start at $160. Tuition includes all class materials and one Academy t-shirt per students.  Explore our course catalog for specific classes and prices.
  • Financial assistance is available to any student; awards are need-based. Learn more about our financial assistance program and how to apply.

REGISTRATION TIPS

  • Register online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also register by mail using this form.
  • Please have your schedule, child’s emergency contact information, and any pertinent medical information available.
  • Please note: our website is best compatible with the Google Chrome browser, with a ten-minute limit on our website’s shopping cart.

Questions? Contact the Academy Office at (414) 267-2970 or email academy@firststage.org.

Featured Class

ADVENTURE INTO THE UNKNOWN (Virtual): 8/10-8/14, 1:00pm

ADVENTURE INTO THE UNKNOWN - Virtual Playmakers August 10th-August 14th 2020, 1:00-2:15pm Each week is a new adventure created by the class! Students will further develop their beginning acting skills, as they pull inspiration from weekly themes and use improvisation techniques to create their own unique stories. Playmakers classes are comparable to Playmakers traditional summer Theater Academy programs. -For students entering 1st-3rd Grade in Fall of 2020 -Classes will take place via Zoom. Students will receive details of virtual programming prior to class.

Learn More