Stages Chicago

WHAT IS STAGES?

Stages Chicago, 501c3 is an arts education program founded in 2016 that is dedicated to bringing the highest quality, developmentally appropriate performing arts experiences to children and families. Our curriculum is developed by professional performers turned early childhood development professionals who have decades of experience onstage and in the classroom. Stages is proud to offer a variety of inclusive programming for all ages and abilities. From developmentally appropriate music classes for infants (that are also entertaining for adults) to after school programs that serve as a training ground for the next generation of performers, Stages has it all.

In 2021, Stages Chicago transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in order to expand our reach and better support our mission of making quality performing arts education experiences accessible for all children and families.

Website: stageschicago.org  

Instagram: instagram.com/stageschi

Facebook: facebook.com/stageschicago

​

Program Curriculum

Stages at School was created to support Chicago area schools in their commitment to provide high quality performing arts education experiences for their students. Our class curriculum aligns with the Illinois Arts Learning Standards and is designed to foster students’ creativity, social-emotional intelligence, public speaking competencies, and collaborative skills while teaching the foundations of theater through fun, developmentally appropriate classes.

​

Upcoming Events: ​​​

This year’s residencies will conclude in a final performance for friends and family:
3rd Grade: Tuesday, March 18 @ 12:30pm
4th Grade: Wednesday, March 19 @ 12:30pm
5th Grade: Thursday, March 20 @ 12:30pm

​​

​

Kinder - 2nd Grade

Stages teaching artists will meet with students in Grades 1-2 once a week for 7 weeks in Quarters 2 & 3 and with students in Kindergarten once a week for 6 weeks in Quarter 3. During their weekly classes, students will learn the foundational skills and technique every performer needs by participating in acting and improvisational games as well as working together as a cast to learn and rehearse musical numbers from a variety of Broadway shows and movie musicals. Class activities are designed to give students the opportunity to find their voice, build confidence, and collaborate with their peers. On the last class of each quarter, Stages teaching artists will film a final presentation that will be shared with families.

​

3rd- 5th Grade

Stages teaching artists will meet with students in Grades 3-5 once a week during Quarters 2 & 3 of the 2024-2025 school year. During their weekly classes, students will learn the basics of musical theater as they go through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, and performing in a mini-musical that consists of scenes and songs from a popular Broadway musical selected specifically by Stages teachers to ensure that each student has a part in the show that they find engaging, challenging, and exciting. Whether students are destined for the lights of Broadway, love to perform with their classmates, or simply want to try something new- this class will spark their creativity and give them the confidence to shine both onstage and off.

​

Middle School

Middle School students can choose from a variety of classes that support the school’s annual musical production.

​​

CAST

Students memorize and practice lines, lyrics, songs, blocking, and choreography, each taking on different roles and parts. The process culminates in a live performance where they showcase their skills and teamwork for an audience.

​

COSTUME DESIGN

Students create costumes that align with the production’s theme and characters, using hand sewing, fabric cutting, pattern design, and machine sewing to bring their creative visions to life.

 

SET DESIGN

Students learn about theater production and design by collaborating with the production team to design and build sets for Shrek (our musical this year), ensuring they align with the director’s vision and are safe for the actors. This class will combine traditional classroom instruction with hands-on learning experiences using a range of materials, including wood, fabric, paint, foam, hardware, power tools, lighting, props, rigging materials, tools, and safety gear.

 

MEDIA DESIGN

Students will design one of four unique Playbill covers for printing, create artwork for monitor signage at the concession stand, and design visuals for cast shirts, posters, and flyers, using multimedia programs and digital camera equipment. Start to finish, learn box modeling and a sub-d workflow, export the geo, prep slicing for print, and finish final assembly.

​

STAGE CREW

Manage sound and lighting for the show, oversee set changes, and organize and coordinate the prop tables. These tasks ensure the performance runs smoothly and seamlessly from start to finish.