The Premier Program

Ages 4-6 yearS

Young children have the most incredible imaginations!  They love to explore, are naturally creative, and The Stage School has the perfect program for our youngest performers!

The Premier Program is a 90 minute program, in which each student takes a 30 minute acting class, a 30 minute singing class, and a 30 minute dance class. Your child’s instructor will help your child develop the core fundamentals of acting, singing, and dance.

They engage kids through a variety of fun activities and create a safe, positive, and fun learning environment so that each child is comfortable exploring their natural creative abilities. At the end of each term, The Premier Program performs a showcase highlighting the skills they have developed in singing class, acting class, and dance class             


WINTER/SPRING TERM 2024

This Winter/Spring, join us for a magical, musical tale that is sure to delight students and audiences alike. Set in the castle of the beast, the enchanted objects will tell a beautiful story of friendship, and teach us all that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. All students will be placed in a role that will allow them to shine.

Performance for ALL classes will be held on Sunday, May 5

Term Details

January 20-May 5 (No class March 30 and May 4) Saturdays, 9:00am-10:30am

January 20-May 5 (No class March 30 and May 4) Saturdays, 10:45am-12:15pm

January 21-May 5 (No class March 31) Sundays, 1:30pm-3:00pm

January 25-May 5 (No class March 28) *NEW Thursday afternoon offering! Thursdays, 3:30pm-5:00pm

Location (Saturday programs)

Centennial Activity Center 100 S. Western Ave Park Ridge, IL 60068

Location (Thursday and Sunday programs)

Maine Park Leisure Center 2701 W. Sibley St. Park Ridge, IL 60068

Tuition

$475 (can be paid in four equal installments)

Families register through the Park Ridge Park District. Enrollment for the Winter/Spring Term is now closed. Our next session will begin Fall 2024 with enrollment opening in August. Please click “Contact Us” below if you are interested in The Premier Program for an upcoming term!


A wonderful program that helps your child come out of their shell and build confidence. This is my daughter’s fourth year with The Stage School.
— Parent of a 9 year-old student

Dance classes, Acting classes, and Singing Classes for Kids at The Stage School

Music plays such an important role in our lives. Getting your kids involved in singing classes has tremendous benefits. The Premier Program’s singing class teaches kids the fundamentals of using their voice properly, rhythm, timing, and singing with a group. Additionally, singing classes for children help ease stress, boost confidence, and help develop self-expression.

Kids have an incredible amount of energy!  They naturally love to express this through dance.  The Premier Program’s dance class allows each child to learn about themselves and the world through movement. Children will learn balance and coordination, fine tune gross motor skills, learn to use their bodies as an expressive tool, plus have an incredible amount of fun while learning cool new dance moves!

A child’s imagination knows no bounds!  In the Premier Program’s acting class, children begin learning about dramatic exploration through fun activities, storytelling, improvisation, and character development. Acting class also helps children develop concentration, build language and communication skills, enhance emotional intelligence, and build lasting friendships.

FAQ's

My child is six, should they be in the Premier Program or the Company?

Great question! Once your child is six, they are eligible to be in the Company, however many six year-olds do attend the Premier Program. The goal is to find the program that is the best fit for your child, and allow them to grow and develop where they are most comfortable. You may consider whether your child does better around older children or younger children, or which class is the best fit for your schedule.

The best answer to this is: The program in which your child will have the most fun will be the right program for them. The two week trial period can be a great way to test this out. Let’s say you enroll in the Premier Program, and after two weeks you decide that the Company would be a better fit for your six year-old. You can make a switch to the Company on the third week of the term, as long as a space is still available.

Can I transfer from the morning class to the afternoon class, or vice versa, during the session?

Your child may transfer to the earlier or later class up until the fourth week of the term. After this, students will begin working on the material for their showcase, and it is important that the same children remain in each class.

My child is very shy, would The Stage School be a good fit for them?

Yes! Our philosophy at The Stage School is to develop each child’s natural ability through acting, singing, and dance. Our goal is to increase each child’s confidence and allow them to feel comfortable expressing themselves creatively. If your child is shy, or has never taken an acting class, singing class, or dance class, we will work with them to make them feel comfortable and have fun.

What does my child need to bring to class?

All we require is that by the third week of the term, all students are wearing a Stage School t-shirt (which is provided with your enrollment), and either jazz or ballet shoes. We provide all other materials needed for the class and the end of term performance.

How can I know how my child is doing in the class?

Your child’s teacher is always happy to speak with you before or after class regarding your child’s progress. In addition, at the end of each term you will receive a student report that the teacher has filled out for your child. The student report will summarize the material covered in singing class, acting class, and dance class. It will also highlight specific successes your child had, as well as what they would like to work with your child on in the following term.

Does my child need to have previous experience in the performing arts?

Not at all! We welcome children of all different levels of experience.