First Stage Theater Academy is the nation’s leading theater training program for young people. Students in grades K4-12 will develop skills in musical theater, scene study, Shakespeare, improvisation, and much more, while simultaneously building life skills, such as confidence, focus, and teamwork, learning from the area’s leading theater artists. One, two, three, and four-week sessions are available.
This summer, we are thrilled to be offering Academy classes at five locations!
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center | Sessions from June 16 - August 8
Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts | Sessions from June 30 - August 8
Oak Creek Performing Arts & Education Center | Sessions from June 30 - July 25
Concordia University Wisconsin | Sessions from July 21 - August 1
University of Wisconsin Parkside | Company Class from June 30 - July 25
SUMMER ACADEMY REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 1!
There will be a $20 off Early Bird Discount that will run until April 20.
Lowest tuition rates are available when registering early. A $75 deposit per class is required, with all remaining balances due at the end of May. Any remaining balances will be automatically deducted one week prior to the start of class. All new students will be charged a one-time $20 application fee.
Starting in the 2024-25 Season, qualifying families and individuals can enjoy up to 85% scholarships for our Theater Academy. We aim to ensure financial constraints don't prevent anyone from the joy of theater. Learn more about Access for All.
Registration for Summer Academy 2025 will begin this winter. Check back here for more information coming soon!
Every Summer Academy session will culminate in a lively presentation of class work for family and friends on the final class day. Details are included in the welcome letter you will receive following registration.
Students entering 8th grade and up have the exciting opportunity to apply for an internship position with First Stage Theater Academy. Interns are role models, mentors and office assistants. If this sounds like you, please fill out the Summer 2025 application and return in a timely fashion. Internships are one to eight weeks in length.
Bring exciting tales to life through dramatic play! Through drama- based activities, young people will begin to develop their actor toolbox of body, voice, and imagination, all while strengthening their ability to focus, cooperate with others, and solve problems. One-week, half-day sessions for new & returning students.
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Young actors will go on a new adventure each week as they utilize creative thinking as a group to further develop their beginning acting skills. Students will work as a group to pull inspiration from popular themes, create their own stories, and act them out together! One-week, half-day sessions for new & returning students.
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Students wanting to learn performance fundamentals (or expand upon their existing knowledge) will explore core elements of actor training, rotating through the various subjects each day: musical theater, creative drama, and acting/scene study. One-week or two-week full-day sessions for new & returning students available.
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Two, three, and four-week sessions are available for new and returning students.
Two-Week Sessions: Students will rotate through theater curriculum that explores the fundamental elements of theater training: Shakespeare; Improvisation; Playwriting and Design; Acting Theory; Musical Theater; and Voice, Speech and Movement.
Three-Week Sessions- Students will spend three weeks rotating through theater curriculum developing tools essentials to the craft of theater.
Four-Week Sessions-First Stage students will continue their theater training through immersion in our theater curriculum, diving deeper into all aspects of theater to help refine and sharpen their skills.
Company classes will work with a professional director for four weeks to broaden performance skills, deepen knowledge of theater, and produce a show. By audition only, for returning students.
Designed for students on the autism spectrum, Next Steps classes help students take their next steps as an artist and a person. First Stage creates a safe space for all students to be creative and be themselves without judgment or fear of failure. Guided by our philosophy of teaching life skills through stage skills, students will experience the joy of acting and musical theater each day with a team of teaching artists and special education professionals.
One-week half-day sessions are available
We aim to ensure financial constraints don't prevent anyone from the joy of theater. Elevate your or your child's theater skills with financial scholarships covering up to 85% of tuition to our Theater Academy. Dive into a world of creativity with a limit of one scholarship per student for each of our seasonal sessions.