Back to School
That realization stumped me for the rest of the day - "why am I not nervous? I'm so painfully shy that I hope that cashiers at drive-thrus don't try to make small talk." It wasn't until later that night when I was preparing for an audition that it hit me. Theatre. Learning to perform for audiences, to commit to a character, and to focus has changed my life for the good in a million different ways, but to see the effects still lingering 20+ years and how it helps me daily in my career? That's pretty powerful.
That's why I'm a huge fan of the effort that local theaters and art schools make to provide classes to kids of all ages in acting, dancing and singing. I was blessed to go to schools who had great art programs as part of their curriculum, but not every kid goes to a traditional school or has the opportunity through school. I've been doing some research this week and I've gathered a list below of some cool programs throughout the state of Utah. There are even some adult classes that I might be jotting down for myself because learning doesn't have to stop when you leave school.
Weber County
Bravo! Arts Academy - Multiple locations in Ogden, Riverdale, and Clearfield with offerings in dance and music.
Kids are Music and Dance - Located in Ogden with choral, solo voice, dance and musical theatre groups for school aged kids.
Davis County
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre Academy - Located in Centerville with singing, dancing and acting classes for kids ranging from 4-18. They also produce a revue and a full musical.
Backstage Performing Arts - Located in Centerville with singing, dancing and acting classes. Ages range from 3-17. They also have adult classes in tap, jazz and aerial silks.
ShowStopper Productions - Located in Kaysville with classes for Tiny (4-7), Junior (7-12) and Senior (12-18).
On Pitch Performing Arts - Located in Layton with classes for students and adults. These classes are unique in that they are focused on a particular outcome like auditioning better or becoming a triple threat.
Salt Lake County
Youth Theatre at the U - Located in Salt Lake City this is broken up into Fall, Winter and Spring Sessions with specific groupings based on grade level. Performances are at the Eccles Regent Street Black Box. There is also a High School Conservatory that is audition only: "Accepted students will complete college-level training in Voice, Movement, Musical Theatre, Improvisation, and Shakespeare as well as electives ranging from Meisner to Stage Combat. In addition, Conservatory competes in state and national competitions and hosts master classes with guest artists from across the nation." Can I be in high school again just so I can do this?
The Off Broadway Theatre - Located in Salt Lake City, they offer summer acting classes for kids, but they also offer year round improv classes for adults. Improv is such a relevant skill that they also offer workshops for work groups learning to fine tune their presentation skills.
Grand Youth - Located in Salt Lake City, this is a summer camp with after school classes year round for grades 7-12.
Utah Children's Theatre - Located in South Salt Lake City, UCT offers acting classes for ages 3-18 as well as an adult acting class in the evenings.
Washington County
Diamond Talent Productions - Located in St. George with tons of dance and voice offerings for ages 4-18
Multiple Locations
Utah Conservatory of the Performing Arts - Locations in Draper, American Fork and St. George feature classes in dance, acting, musical theatre, songwriting and pop music. Age ranges vary between location, but mostly for school aged kids with some cool performance opportunities and different "companies" - musical theatre, acting, etc.
Up With Kids - With tons of locations across Utah, Up With Kids focuses on "enrichment, voice, dance and acting" for kids preschool and up.
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