Let the World be the Stage for your Child with Acting Classes
From a young age, children naturally start performing. As chubby little fingers walk the itsy bitsy spider up its water spout, a smile forms across the corners of their mouths as you cheer them on.
And as they age, a hairbrush becomes a microphone to sing their favorite songs from the tiled floors of your family bathroom.
If you’ve ever sat on the couch as the audience for your child’s in-house performance, you’ve likely wondered where you can find acting classes as an extracurricular activity.
In this Guide
• SWMI Acting Classes
• Benefits of Theatre
• Performing Arts Venues
Kalamazoo Area Acting Classes
We’ve scoured the Kalamazoo area and found several locations to expand your child’s stage outside of your home with performing arts classes and summer camps.
These locations offer courses in improvisation, musical theater, playwriting, and acting.
There are fun options for all ages (including adults) and varied interests to let kids take center stage.
| Crawlspace Comedy Theatre 315 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 AGES: 7 – 13 Holds courses on improvisation for ages 7-13. Classes meet weekly for five weeks in the First Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. No experience is necessary to join; adult classes are also offered.  |
| Grand Rapids Civic Theatre 30 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 AGES: 2+ Head north to Grand Rapids for their School of Theatre Arts; you will find a comprehensive program covering acting classes, sketch comedy, musical theatre, improvisation and dance. Classes start at age two. |
| Kalamazoo Civic Theatre 329 S Park St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 AGES: 3 – 103 Known for its theatrical productions, The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre offers its own Academy of Theatre Arts to teach students from ages 3 to 103 in the dramatic arts. They focus on education and process, rather than the end-stage performance. Classes meet weekly and emphasize inclusiveness; all experiences and backgrounds are encouraged and welcomed.  |
| Opening Act Theatre Company 61268 Co Rd 657, Lawton, MI 49065 Grades: K – 8 Opening Act Theatre Company in Lawton focuses on telling a good story through performing arts (acting classes, music, and dance). Performances are shown at the Paw Paw Playhouse. They offer private lessons, summer camps, and after-school classes for grades K-8. |
How Does Theatre Benefit Your Child?
It’s more than memorizing lines.
Whether your child has the “acting bug” or not, dramatic arts’ benefits extend beyond reading a script or learning which side of the stage is left or right.
Emotionally, children are able to express their feelings and gain insights into others’ emotions through observing body language. Self-esteem also grows as students are able to speak publicly with an audience.
What if your child doesn’t want the spotlight? Theatre is about more than playing the lead role. Students learn how to build sets and work as a team in order to create a show.
Oftentimes, the entire family can be involved. Parents can assist with constructing props or costumes for the production.
Local Performing Arts Venues
What better way to support your budding actor than to take in a show? Southwest MI offers multiple spots to see live performances:
| Barn Theatre 13351 West M-96, Augusta, MI 49012 |
| Farmers Alley Theatre 221 Farmers Alley, Kalamazoo, MI 49007  |
| Grand Rapids Civic Theatre 30 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Kalamazoo State Theatre 404 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007  |
| Miller Auditorium 1341 Theatre Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 |
| Paw Paw Playhouse 404 E Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
| The Civic 329 S Park St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 |
| The New Vic Theatre 134 E Vine St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 |
More to Explore
