School of Performing Arts

In this class, attendees will work on connecting personally to texts that they will present, which include monologues, scenes, and original work. Instructor Robert Lee will meet the attendees where they are and help them clear what is blocking them from deeper connections in their performance. It is recommended that attendees have some level of acting experience or education.

This class is geared toward challenging students with a background in tap while providing a creative/musical/physical outlet for all students.

This class is for true beginners of tap and will focus on creating a foundation for understanding rhythms and building the physical technique of basic tap steps.

This class is for true beginners of tap and will focus on creating a foundation for understanding rhythms and building the physical technique of basic tap steps.

For the adult actor of any level looking to get back into class and keep their skills sharp and/or gain experience and confidence. Focus will be on meeting the individual actor at the skill level they are and building skills from that point.

This class is for true beginners of tap and will focus on creating a foundation for understanding rhythms and building the physical technique of basic tap steps.

This class is geared toward challenging students with a background in tap while providing a creative/musical/physical outlet for all students.

This class is geared toward challenging students with a background in tap while providing a creative/musical/physical outlet for all students.

Designed for students with some prior theatre experience looking to work more through an intermediate-to-advanced lens on honing their audition skills in Acting, Singing, and Dancing. This course will focus on different aspects of the audition process each week, giving students an opportunity to dive deeper into how to nail their next audition by looking at Monologues, Scenes, 16-32 Bar song cuts, Dance calls, and how to pick material that best shows off your unique talents!

This service is provided week-to-week for registered campers who need to be dropped off earlier than the 9:00 am camp start time. Extended Care is $40/week.

This service is provided week-to-week for registered campers in our K-2 camps who need to be picked up later than the 12:00 camp end time. Students are welcome to bring their own lunch to eat during this time.

This service is provided week-to-week for registered campers who need to be picked up later than the 3:00 camp end time. Extended Care PM is $80/week.

The gods, goddesses, heroes, and myths of ancient Greece have influenced the theatre world for millennia. The tales of Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Hades, Perseus, Orpheus, and Hercules have been passed down and inspiring many great plays and musicals for generations. This camp offers an opportunity to explore our theatrical roots through the tales and stories of Greek mythology.

Our junior intensive (open to grades 3-8) this summer is Godspell Jr. Get a chance to explore the music and dancing of this popular musical (and get a jump start on prepping for auditions) through this camp. “Day by Day”, “All for the Best”, and “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” are some of the many songs to be explored from this amazing show adapted from the famous broadway musical from 1976.

From the Golden Age (1937-1942) to the Silver Age (1950-1959), this camp will explore the Disney films that defined the genre. From Snow White to Sleeping Beauty, classic Disney films have been a part of everyone’s childhood for generations. Music from films such as Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, and Cinderella will provide students with a fun journey through the early years of Disney animation.

Every professional has a toolkit, some full of literal tools, others full of figurative ones. Actors use a number of tools in their craft - how to prep for an audition, how to get the most out of a rehearsal, how to choose the best material for you, creating and growing your actor portfolio, how to break down a scene, and so on. This camp will explore the many tools an actor stores in their toolbox and how to sharpen your skills in their use.

All the best stories begin with “Once upon a time . . .” and fairy tales have been an integral part of storytelling in cultures all around the world for centuries. This camp will explore the unique and fantastical characters and stories that fairy tales have brought to our lives.

Our junior intensive (grades 3-8) this summer is Godspell Jr. Get a chance to explore the music and dancing of this popular musical (and get a jump start on prepping for auditions) through this camp. “Day by Day”, “All for the Best”, and “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord” are some of the many songs to be explored from this amazing show adapted from the famous broadway musical from 1976.

Disney has given us so many wonderful musicals over the decades. This camp will explore the heart warming and memorable films from the Disney Renaissance (1989-1999). The movies that defined a generation - The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and more - offer many musical numbers to dance and sing to!

From Rock of Ages and Mamma Mia to Head Over Heels and Moulin Rouge, the jukebox musical has gained popularity in the last few years. Whether you’re rocking out to the hair bands of the 80s or dancing to the hit songs of ABBA, jukebox musicals have a lot of the music and songs that we love, presented in new imaginative ways, and this camp will explore the songs and dances from many of our favorites.

As actors, we use our bodies and our voices in lots of different ways to tell stories onstage. In this camp, come explore how to use your instrument like a professional as we work on different types of movement, different uses of the voice, mindfulness and body awareness, and how to use these new tools in the creation of a character!

Ever wanted to create your own show from scratch? This camp will utilize storytelling, improvisation, and theatrical exploration to create a show from the ground up. From establishing the plot to developing characters, creating a play can be a fun yet challenging experience for young artists to explore and collaborate together!

Our senior intensive (grades 8-12) this summer is Mean Girls: High School Version. Get a chance to explore the music and dancing of this popular musical (and get a jump start on prepping for auditions) through this camp.

The Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, the Lorax, the Sneetches, Horton the Elephant, Yertle the Turtle, Sam I Am. Dr. Seuss and his beloved characters have been an influence in literature, film, and theatre for decades. This camp will explore the characters and themes of Dr. Seuss’s work through the art of theatre and storytelling.

Alan Menken has brought us many popular musicals including Little Shop of Horrors, Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Hercules, and many more. This camp will explore the works of Alan Menken through song and dance. Whether it’s “Under the Sea”, “I See the Light”, “Seize the Day”, or “Suddenly Seymour”, there will be a wide variety of favorites to choose from!

Don Bluth, American filmmaker and animator, brought us many classics, such as An American Tale, Thumbelina, Anastasia, and All Dogs Go to Heaven. In this camp, students will explore the memorable musical numbers of several of Don Bluth’s films, like “Somewhere Out There” and “Once Upon a December”.

Some of the best stories are told through theatre! Come traverse creative and fantastic worlds as they come to life in this fun camp session where students will get to explore characters and tales from various storybooks.

This class will cover dance basics in a variety of styles, including jazz, ballet, tap, and musical theatre. Also covered will be tips and tricks for learning choreography during a show or an audition.

Curiouser and curiouser… Join our exciting class inspired by the spring production of "Alice in Wonderland, Jr."! Dive into the whimsical world of Wonderland while honing your movement and music skills. Through dynamic choreography and vibrant musical pieces, students will explore character expression, rhythmic patterns, and stage presence. This immersive experience will enhance coordination, musicality, and creativity. Perfect for young performers eager to bring Wonderland to life through dance and song!

This high-energy theatre class will utilize classic fairy tales but they'll be told in new ways - Goldilocks is a werewolf? The Prince is a zombie? Is the Big Bad Wolf actually nice? Learn basic acting skills, learn problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and have some fun in this acting class.

The Fall Acting Drop-In Sessions are a high-energy, interactive theater experience. Participants will play a variety of theater games that promote confidence, team work, and having fun! Multiple sessions are available. Sign up for three sessions, get the fourth for free!

The Fall Acting Drop-In Sessions are a high-energy, interactive theater experience. Participants will play a variety of theater games that promote confidence, team work, and having fun! Multiple sessions are available. Sign up for three sessions, get the fourth for free!

Godspell, the beloved classic from Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Wicked, retells the greatest story ever told. Join the celebration of kindness, tolerance, and friendship. Our summer intensive programs combine a summer camp experience with the experience of developing a fully-realized production. Each intensive starts with an audition. After the show is cast, students will participate in rehearsals, tech rehearsals, and a weekend of public performances. During the week, Monday through Friday, students will rehearse from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (with a break for lunch) and end their experience with five public performances on the NorShor stage! During rehearsals, students will focus on building skills in performance, acting, singing, dancing, etc., combining theatre education with production development.

Stage Play Acting Classes are an opportunity for neurodivergent children ages 5-10 years old to learn about theater. Children participate in acting exercises that work on social skills, use nonverbal information, and understand theater vocabulary. We explore emotions through vocal intonation, body language, and facial expression in improvisational and scripted skits. This is an ongoing collaboration between Minnesota Masonic Children’s Clinic and the Duluth Playhouse. It is our aim to utilize our experience working with autism, ADHD, and children with social learning differences and partner with parents to give children in our class a positive experience with acting and collaborating with others.

This "fetch" musical from book writer Tina Fey (30 Rock) is packed with keen wit, a fun pop score, and all your favorite moments from the film. Our summer intensive programs combine a summer camp experience with the experience of developing a fully-realized production. Each intensive starts with an audition. After the show is cast, students will participate in rehearsals, tech rehearsals, and a weekend of public performances. During the week, Monday through Friday, students will rehearse from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (with a break for lunch) and end their experience with five public performances on the NorShor stage! During rehearsals, students will focus on building skills in performance, acting, singing, dancing, etc., combining theatre education with production development.

Each week in this class, students will explore a different song from the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland Jr. Each week, a different theme (complete with suggested dress up option) will focus on different scenes and characters of the show. Students will have fun singing, dancing, and imagining the world of Wonderland!

The Duluth Playhouse’s Youth Production of Anastasia opens in November, but young performers can get a chance to explore the world of this fantastic show a little early. Guided by the director of the upcoming production, students will explore the characters and themes of Anastasia through voice, movement, song, and dance in this short introduction to the basics of musical theatre and acting.

The Duluth Playhouse’s Youth Production of Anastasia opens in November, but young performers can get a chance to explore the world of this fantastic show a little early. Guided by the director of the upcoming production, students will explore some of the music and dance from Anastasia along with an in-depth look into characters and themes from the show. Students planning to audition for Anastasia will also get a chance to work on some of their audition material.

The Duluth Playhouse’s Youth Production of Anastasia opens in November, but young performers can get a chance to explore the world of this fantastic show a little early. Guided by the director of the upcoming production, students will explore some of the music and dance from Anastasia along with an in-depth look into characters and themes from the show. Students planning to audition for Anastasia will also get a chance to work on some of their audition material.

The Spring Acting Drop-In Sessions are a high-energy, interactive theater experience. Participants will play a variety of theater games that promote confidence, team work, and having fun! Multiple sessions are available. Sign up for one, two, or all three!

The Spring Acting Drop-In Sessions are a high-energy, interactive theater experience. Participants will play a variety of theater games that promote confidence, team work, and having fun! Multiple sessions are available. Sign up for one, two, or all three!