Sometimes kids can be so dramatic! The shouting, the tantrums, the early morning soliloquies. Why not put all that energy to good use and sign them up for a drama class? Theatre is a wonderful way for kids to express themselves and build their confidence.
No matter where you live, there are programs near you in Toronto that have some great options for your dramatic child. These classes take place after school and on weekends during the school year.
EAST END
Find after-school and weekend acting classses, musical theatre classes, and other performing arts programs on the Danforth, in the Beach, in Leslieville, and East York.
Children’s Art Theatre School
Offers performing arts experiences from drama workshops to rehearsal-based classes in theatre, dance, and vocals.
Ages: 3–18
Location: Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave., Toronto (additional locations on the west end and in North York)
Crow Theatre
Children can explore their interest in performance with the use of breath, voice, and movement in theatre games and partner work.
Ages: 6–12
Location: 345 Carlaw Ave., Toronto
Elite Music Academy
Besides its many music lessons for kids, Elite Music Academy in the Beaches has musical theatre and Broadway production classes where kids learn “triple threat” skills: singing, dancing, and acting.
Ages: 7–18
Location: Beaches United Church, 145 Wineva Ave., Toronto
Great Big Theatre Company
Students develop skills and confidence in classes programmed according to their age, from imaginative play and storytelling, to playwriting and the elements of stage presentation.
Ages: 3–14
Locations: More than 40 locations in Toronto and the GTA (Durham, York, Peel, and Halton regions)
In Forma Theatre
The Imagine IF program is a theatre and play class that teaches kids to creatively share their stores through creative movement, improvisation, character play, and storytelling
Ages: 4–13
Location: Ralph Thornton Centre, 765 Queen St. E., Toronto
The S.P.A.C.E.
This East York performing arts school offers classes in acting, creative movement, musical theatre, vocal, tap, and more to focus on building self-esteem and developing kids’ burgeoning talents.
Ages: 3–17
Location: 1324 Danforth Ave., Toronto
Stage Coach Schools
A triple-threat school where students learn the disciplines of singing, acting, and dance.
Ages: 4–Grade 12
Locations: St. Augustine of Canterbury, 1847 Bayview Ave., East York (and nine other locations in Toronto and the GTA)
WEST END & DOWNTOWN
For kids who live on the west end or in downtown Toronto have plenty of options for musical theatre classes, acting classes, and even playwriting and improv classes. Find options in High Park, the Junction, Queen West, the Downtown Core and more.
Bad Dog Theatre
At these classes for youth and teens, kids learn the basics of improv, including listening, character development, scene structure, terminology, and stagecraft, and have lots of fun through improvisational play.
Ages: Grades 3–12
Location: 875 A Bloor St. W., Toronto
Children’s Art Theatre School
Offers performing arts experiences from drama workshops to rehearsal-based classes in theatre, dance, and vocals.
Ages: 3–18
Locations: 61 Elm Grove Ave., Toronto | Morningside-High Park Presbyterian Church, 4 Morningside Ave., Toronto | St. Paul’s Trinity, 427 Bloor St. W., Toronto (additional locations on the Danforth and in North York)
FOCUS School
This non-profit organization offers classes and workshops for kids and youth in theatre and film production, including acting and directing, stage combat, theatre makeup, and a host of film-related subjects like editing and videography.
Ages: 6–16
Locations: Erudite Private School, 2323 Bloor St. W., Toronto (additional locations in North Toronto)
Great Big Theatre Company
Students develop skills and confidence in classes programmed according to their age, from imaginative play and storytelling, to playwriting and the elements of stage presentation.
Ages: 3–14
Locations: More than 40 locations in Toronto and the GTA (Durham, York, Peel, and Halton regions)
No Strings Theatre
Tweens and teens can learn the fundamentals of acting through techniques like Acting Through Song, Audition Technique, Acting Through Movement, Music Theatre Movement, and public performance.
Ages: 10 and up
Locations: Artscape Wychwood Barns and Wychwood Theatre, 601 Christie St., Toronto; St. Matthew’s United Church, 729 St. Clair Ave W., Toronto; Oakwood Baptist Church, 421 Oakwood Ave., Toronto
Purple Carrots
Purple Carrots combines elements of dramatic art play, play therapy, speech therapy, improvisation, singing, dancing and music into their theme-based drama classes.
Ages: 2–teen
Locations: Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St., Toronto (additional locations in Forest Hill and Etobicoke)
Stage Coach Schools
A triple-threat school where students learn the disciplines of singing, acting, and dance.
Ages: 4–Grade 12
Locations: Bishop Marrocco School, 1515 Bloor St. W., Toronto (and nine other locations in Toronto and the GTA)
The Second City
One of the world’s most famous comedy schools offers classes for kids and teens as well as adults. During the school year, there are kids’ comedy classes in improv, acting, and, of course, stand-up.
Ages: 7–17
Location: Second City Training Centre, 99 Blue Jays Way, Toronto
Young People’s Theatre
Children have the chance to express themselves theatrically and discover the power of their own creative voice and imagination.
Ages: JK–Grade 12
Locations: Downtown
NORTH TORONTO
Kids can learn triple-threat acting, singing, and dancing skills at a fun musical theatre class, practice movement for theatre, and develop confidence through many other types of drama programs in North York, Yorkdale, Lawrence Park, and other areas in North Toronto.
Bravo Academy
Kids of all ages can learn about singing, rhythm, and vocal performance, stage movement, character development, stage performance and teamwork in Bravo Academy’s Music Theatre classes.
Ages: 4–13
Location: 77 Samor Rd., Unit 4, Toronto
FOCUS School
This non-profit organization offers classes and workshops for kids and youth in theatre and film production, including acting and directing, stage combat, theatre makeup, and a host of film-related subjects like editing and videography.
Ages: 6–16
Locations: 2 Park Vista, Toronto; West Preparatory Junior P.S., 70 Ridge Hill Dr., Toronto; Filmberries Kids’ Club, 207 Shaughnessy Blvd., North York (additional location in Bloor West Village)
Innovative Arts
Students are cast in “professional-grade” musical theatre productions with smaller cast sizes, training them to sing, dance, and act.
Ages: 8–18
Location: 2999 Dufferin St., Toronto
Children’s Art Theatre School
Offers performing arts experiences from drama workshops to rehearsal-based classes in theatre, dance, and vocals.
Ages: 3–18
Locations:
Glenview Presbyterian Church, 1 Glenview Ave., Toronto
Willowdale United Church, 349 Kenneth Ave., North York
additional locations on the west end and on the Danforth
Great Big Theatre Company
Students develop skills and confidence in classes programmed according to their age, from imaginative play and storytelling, to playwriting and the elements of stage presentation.
Ages: 3–14
Locations: More than 40 locations in Toronto and the GTA (Durham, York, Peel, and Halton regions)
Purple Carrots
Purple Carrots combines elements of dramatic art play, play therapy, speech therapy, improvisation, singing, dancing and music into their theme-based drama classes.
Ages: 6–10
Locations: Groove School of Dance, 491 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto (additional locations Downtown and in Etobicoke)
Stage Coach Schools
A triple-threat school where students learn the disciplines of singing, acting, and dance.
Ages: 4–Grade 12
Locations: Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview Ave., Toronto (and nine other locations in Toronto and the GTA)
MOBILE DRAMA PROGRAMS
The Drama Mamas
The Drama Mamas will come to your home or community centre for a minimum class of six participants, bringing their creative drama classes, for parent and tot, preschool, and school-age children.
Ages: 18 months–14
Location: Your location
