School of Performing Arts

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!

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 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.

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.

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 who need to be picked up later than the 3:00 camp end time. Extended Care PM is $80/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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

Unlock your inner performer in this supportive class designed for those hesitant about their dance abilities. Perfect for beginners and those looking to regain confidence, this course breaks down musical theatre dance movements, fostering an encouraging environment. With a focus on positivity, this class will help you build essential skills in dance, empowering you to express yourself on stage. Don’t let doubts hold you back—join us and discover that you can dance and shine! Sign up today and take the first step toward becoming the confident performer you've always wanted to be.

The Winter Acting Drop-In Sessions are a high-energy, interactive theatre experience designed to spark creativity and build performance skills.

The Audition Edge: Cold Reads & Callbacks Workshop, students will learn how to approach auditions with confidence and precision.

Get ready for big laughs in Laugh-Out-Loud!—a playful acting class for students in grades 2–3. Through silly scenes, exaggerated characters, and fun group activities, young performers will explore humor while building confidence, creativity, and teamwork skills. It’s the perfect class for kids who love to be expressive, use their imagination, and make others smile!

Our Extended Care program offers additional supervision for students who need to be dropped off early or picked up late during our summer theatre programs. This service provides a safe and supportive environment for your child outside of scheduled program hours. Please note that Extended Care is only for supervision. It does not include any structured programming or activities and is not eligible for scholarship support.

Our Extended Care program offers additional supervision for students who need to be dropped off early or picked up late during our summer theatre programs. This service provides a safe and supportive environment for your child outside of scheduled program hours. Please note that Extended Care is only for supervision. It does not include any structured programming or activities and is not eligible for scholarship support. (Cost: $10/hour)

Get moving and express yourself in Dance It Out!—a high-energy workshop for teens. This one-day class invites dancers of all experience levels to explore fun choreography, build confidence, and connect through movement. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new, let loose, and enjoy the joy of dance in an upbeat and supportive environment!

This class is designed to challenge experienced students while providing a creative, musical outlet that inspires all participants.

Welcome to Acting! In this fun and creative class, young actors will explore imagination, storytelling, movement, and self-expression. Students will play games, create characters, practice using their voices and bodies, and build confidence while having lots of fun. No acting experience is needed—just bring your imagination and a willingness to play!

Did you love the Duluth Playhouse’s Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Descendants: The Musical? Come join Director Chloe Swanson for this beginner-friendly dance class! You will spend an hour of FUN at the Duluth Playhouse, and you will learn some choreography from the actual show! We will get to groove and move to the fast-paced, high-energy songs from this amazing show, such as Rotten to the Core, Good Is the New Bad, Break This Down, and more!

Did you love the Duluth Playhouse’s Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Descendants: The Musical? Come join Director Chloe Swanson for this beginner-friendly dance class! You will spend an hour of FUN at the Duluth Playhouse, and you will learn some choreography from the actual show! We will get to groove and move to the fast-paced, high-energy songs from this amazing show, such as Rotten to the Core, Good Is the New Bad, Break This Down, and more!

Ready to take your dancing to the next level? Join us for an advanced contemporary & jazz combination class designed for dancers looking to challenge themselves, build confidence, and push their artistry. This class will combine dynamic jazz technique, expressive contemporary movement, challenging choreography, and opportunities for personal creativity. Each week we will alternate what style we are working on so you can nail strengthening your technique and performance skills. Bring your energy, passion, and love of dance!

Ready to take your musical theatre auditions to the next level? This intensive is designed to help young performers build confidence, sharpen their audition skills, and make strong, authentic choices in the room. Students will work on song selection, audition cuts, acting through song, monologues, cold reads, and audition etiquette while learning how to showcase their unique strengths as performers. Through supportive instruction and hands-on practice, students will leave feeling more prepared, confident, and audition-ready!

Step into the spotlight in this dynamic musical theatre acting and singing intensive designed for performers ages 18 and up! No prior experience is required—just curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to play. Work closely with local musical theatre experts in a supportive, collaborative environment, receiving individualized attention and practical coaching tailored to your goals. Explore character, storytelling, vocal technique, audition skills, and the connection between acting and singing. Each participant should bring a song selection to work on during the intensive. Whether you’re brand new to musical theatre or looking to strengthen your skills, come ready to learn, grow, and perform!

Join us for an afternoon of singing! On Saturday, November 7th, we will hold two masterclasses featuring 6 middle school and 6 high school singers. Students will sign up for 15-minute slots to work on a song of their choice with recent UMD voice alum Neve Moore. Neve holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and has received training from Meisner in Music and Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy in NYC. She is a strong advocate for vocal health and loves finding creative ways to bring new emotions into music. She cannot wait to share her experiences as an emerging artist! Singing is not required to attend; there is always much to learn from watching!

Join us for an afternoon of singing! On Saturday, November 7th, we will hold two masterclasses featuring 6 middle school and 6 high school singers. Students will sign up for 15-minute slots to work on a song of their choice with recent UMD voice alum Neve Moore. Neve holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and has received training from Meisner in Music and Camerata Bardi Vocal Academy in NYC. She is a strong advocate for vocal health and loves finding creative ways to bring new emotions into music. She cannot wait to share her experiences as an emerging artist! Singing is not required to attend; there is always much to learn from watching!

Students can often find themselves bombarded with tools to “analyze” Shakespeare and end up confused, overwhelmed, or turned off altogether. What if all you really needed was yourself and the courage to speak? Focusing on how Shakespeare exists in the body and the space around us can not only make the performance of Shakespeare more accessible, but also more powerful, clear, and fun. This class arms students with the skills to make a personal connection with Shakespeare and realize that the Bard wrote his words for EVERYONE. The ideas we will explore have been used by professional actors across the country performing in large theaters and crowded bars alike. Love, death, justice- all the things that Billy wrote about are just as prevalent today, so why should performing them feel any less familiar?

Step into the spotlight in this dynamic musical theatre acting and singing intensive designed for performers ages 16 and up! No prior experience is required—just curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to play. Work closely with local musical theatre experts in a supportive, collaborative environment, receiving individualized attention and practical coaching tailored to your goals. Explore character, storytelling, vocal technique, audition skills, and the connection between acting and singing. Each participant should bring a song selection to work on during the intensive. Whether you’re brand new to musical theatre or looking to strengthen your skills, come ready to learn, grow, and perform!

If you’ve ever been mesmerized by puppets controlled by strings (like the ones featured in The Sound of Music movie), this introductory class is for you! Meet the carved-wood creations of Mary Plaster and experience the magic of making them come to life. Marionette puppetry is a rare art form whose skills can enhance any theatrical production. Thanks to an MSAB grant, there will be an opportunity to perform a short postmodern fairytale in the Playhouse Lab in January 2027. Mary Plaster is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

An introductory workshop for teens to learn the basics of technical theatre to best support community youth and educational theatre productions. A successful production will have collaboration, commitment, and teamwork between on and off stage elements. This class will explore the tasks and responsibilities of the numerous duties that make a show successful from behind the scenes. Focused hands-on work in properties, stage management, basic stagecraft, and introduction to design.