Theater classes are a place for kids to explore their creative side, develop new talents, increase their confidence, and be a part of a positive and supportive team. Being involved in an ever-evolving production teaches kids flexibility and the ability to think on their feet.
Whether your rising star is just showing early signs of interest in the theater/drama scene, or already appears to be a seasoned performer, there are plenty of fantastic programs locally for all levels and all ages! Check them out, then see our full guide to kids’ classes for other fun activities.
Theater Classes for Kids in Chicago
The Second City
1616 N Wells Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-3992
Improv and writing classes and camps for kids ages 7-18.
Chicago Kids Company
4124 N. Nashville Avenue
Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 205-9600
Classes and shows for kids ages 5-17. See current offerings.
Chicago Children’s Theatre
100 S. Racine Avenue
Chicago, IL 60607
(773) 227-0180
info@chicagochildrenstheatre.org
Classes and camps for kids ages 5-13.
Theater Classes for Kids in the West Suburbs
Paramount School of the Arts
20 S Stolp Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 896-6810
All kinds of theater, acting, and creative dramatics classes for kids from kindergarten through high school.
CYT Chicago
Locations in Chicago and the suburbs
(847) 516-2298
Theater arts program for ages 5-18.
Ghostlight Educational Theatre Collective (ETC)
923 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(708) 261-0292
Elementary, junior high, and high school/college theater productions.
Elmhurst Children’s Theater
121 W 1st Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Audition-based theater program requiring parent volunteer participation, with main stage shows for grades 5-8 and classes for grades 2-9.
Vagabond West
124 W Park Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Acting classes for kids ages 7-12.
Village Theatre Guild
P.O. Box 184
Glen Ellyn, IL, 60138
(630) 469-8230
Summer theater programs for grades 1-12.
BAM Theatre
641 S. Bodin Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
(630) 923-5226
info@bamtheatre.com
Tots classes for ages 0-5, as well as music and theater classes for elementary school, junior high, high school, and beyond.
Stage Door Fine Arts
Community House
415 W. Eighth Street
Hinsdale, IL, 60521
(630) 728-0465
Camps, classes, and lessons for grades 4+.
Footlight Players of LaGrange Park
1501 Barnsdale Road
La Grange Park, IL 60526
(708) 354-4580
Productions for kids ages 6-18.
Guardian Angel Players
1113 Harrison Avenue
La Grange Park, IL 60526
(708) 715-4451
Parish-based theater group for all ages produces one musical each year.
LATTE (LaGrange Area Teen Theater Ensemble)
20 N Ashland Avenue
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 655-0989
lattetheater@gmail.com
Programs for ages 13-19, no experience necessary.
Little Mountain Community Theatre
800 Porter Street
Lemont, IL 60439
info@littlemountaintheatre.org
Acting workshops for kids in grades 2-8, as well as all-ages community theater productions.
Lombard Children’s Theater
339 S. Craig Place
Lombard, IL, 60148
(708) 528-8243
Details for the 2024 season have not yet been released; check the website for updates.
Illinois Conservatory for the Arts (Formerly Academy of the Arts)
Located inside The Matrix Club
808 IL Route 59
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 243-5100
Classes and camps for adolescents, teens, and adults.
BrightSide Theatre Youth Project
Meiley Swallow Hall
31 S Ellsworth Street
Naperville, IL 60540
630-447-TIXS (8497)
info@brightsidetheatre.com
Productions for kids ages 8-18. This year’s cast is full, but you can join the waiting list
Kidz Kabaret
1665 Quincy Avenue, Suite 143
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 355-9212
Non-audition theater company focused on offering an encouraging environment for performers in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Actors Garden
909 S. Lombard Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60304
Classes and workshops for ages 4-18+.
Ovation Academy for the Performing Arts
1010 Madison Street
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 222-7564
Musical productions with kids ages 6-18.
Riverside Theater Guild
27 Riverside Road
Riverside, IL 60546
Community theater with casts of all ages, as well as summer programs for kids.
Beyond Center Stage
401 E. North Ave.
Villa Park, IL 60181
(630) 833-0085
Onstage and on-camera acting classes for kids in grades 1-7+.
Saint Genesius Productions
152 N. Myrtle Ave.
Villa Park, IL 60181
(630) 244-9406
Community theater group.
Children’s Theatre of Western Springs
4384 Hampton Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-4043
Classes for elementary school, middle school, and high school students.
Music Makers Theatre
4332 Howard Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
(708) 246-8222
info@musicmakerstheatre.com
Programs culminating in a stage performance for kindergarten through 10th grades.
Academy of Music and Art
350 E. Ogden Avenue
Westmont, IL 60559
(630) 654-8426
Classes, musical productions, and more for ages 7-17.
Wheaton Drama
Playhouse 111
111 N. Hale Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 260-1928
Workshops for kids in grades 3-8.
Westside Improv
125 W. Front Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
Youth acting and improv classes for grades 3-5 and 6-8.
Beyond the Stars Performing Arts Company
327 75th Street
Willowbrook, IL 60527
(630) 568-3610
BeyondTheStarsAcademy@hotmail.com
Acting, singing, and dancing classes, as well as performances, for ages 4-18+.
Theater Classes for Kids in the Northwest Suburbs
MOVE Productions
Barrington, IL
moveproductions.theater@gmail.com
Workshops for ages 7+, as well as productions by kids ages 8-19.
Little Noise Theater
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Performances by kids in grades 1-3 and 4-8.
The Elk Grove Park District Art Centre
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Spotlight Theater productions for ages 7 through adults, as well as classes for kids through the park district. Kids ages 10+ can also volunteer behind stage.
Bright Lights Theatre
35 E North Avenue
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
(630) 868-3732
Musical, acting, and improv classes for ages 5-16.
The Stage School
100 South Western Avenue
Park Ridge IL, 60068
(847) 224-6040
Acting, singing, and dancing classes and camps for ages 4-16.
Roselle Repertoire
555 W Bryn Mawr Avenue
Roselle, IL 60172
Musical theater productions and camps for ages 7-15.
Schaumburg on Stage
1925 Wright Boulevard
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Info@SchaumburgonStage.org
Performance group for young actors.
What are the benefits of drama classes?
Theatre is one of the most valuable places where kids can explore the endless possibilities of their imaginations and what they can do. Performing arts teach children how to think creatively through imagination by developing new ideas, updating old ones and interpreting them into something new.
Learning lines, studying characters, practicing and performing all help to build character and confidence. It can also improve memory, concentration, and focus while remembering their lines. Plays and musicals are also great exposure to literature and history.
Theatre exposes young people to new vocabulary and ways of communicating. Through the arts of dance, acting, and music, children learn how to communicate in a variety of unique ways. Working with others increases both verbal and nonverbal communication. When working on a play or show, you learn to articulate and project your voice, as well as to listen and observe.
What questions should I ask to figure out what theater program is right for me?
– What is the facility like?
– Are there a variety of classes offered?
– What is the experience of the teachers?
– Are there additional fees for performing in a show?
– Is there a performance or presentation at the end of classes?
– How old are the other kids in the class?
– What is the schedule like and is it flexible?
– How long has the program been in business?
For more ways to help your kids hone their talents, check out all our classes for kids!
