Classes

SSPA Education Programs

Classes for All Ages

Sierra School of Performing Arts offers classes in acting, voice and dance for children and adults. For the latest updates, subscribe to our newsletter, or join us on Facebook. To see answers to frequently asked questions about our classes, click here. Financial assistance is available for all classes. Click here to download the application form or ask us about that!

2022 Fall Class Schedule
Registration will open on Monday 8/22
See class descriptions below

Classes we offer include:

Broadway Choreography Rep (repertoire) Workshop – one day only! This three-hour workshop, taught by guest artist-in-residence Adam Cates, will focus on exploring original choreography from popular Broadway musicals. After a thorough physical warm up, students will learn dance repertoire from shows like Chicago, Hairspray, and Anything Goes* and hear "insider" stories about the origins of the choreography. Prior dance training is not required, but a willingness to move is. You really don’t want to miss working with Adam, he’s the real deal.
Ages 13 to adult (or by consent of instructor)
Saturday October 8
9am - 12pm
$50

Tap Dancing for adults and teens
Tap is a common form of dance in musical theater and most people are intimidated by the thought of auditioning for a show like "Anything Goes" or "42nd Street". It's so much fun to learn and easy to pick up. Taught by premiere ballroom dance instructor Michelle Michelsen, this no-pressure class will be an introduction to tap or a refresher for tap dancers. Wear tennis shoes or tap shoes. No experience necessary! So come get your tap on!
Age 13 to adult
Wednesdays 7:00-8:00pm starting September 9/21.
$155 for 8 weeks

Acting Classes

Social distancing and mask mandates will be followed for safety in all sessions and when appropriate.

Little Sprouts!
Adventures in Creative Drama
Does your child love to act and pretend? Harnessing that wonderful world of imagination can be a powerful tool for building skills in many essential developmental areas. In this fun class taught by Jennifer Rae, your child will practice social skills, concentration, and problem solving while diving into games designed to encourage exploration and imagination. Children will express themselves through performance, music, movement, and acting out stories, familiar and new.
The kiddos may have the opportunity to perform for parents on the last day of class, depending on COVID restrictions at the time.
Age 5-8
Saturdays 9:45- 10:30am starting 10/15.
$120 for 6 weeks | Drop-ins $20 per class - first two weeks only
A parent or responsible adult must be on premises during first class or by request.

Acting Fundamentals for Teens
This class will introduce the basics of acting and performance with a focus on character development, team-building and improving confidence. The class will feature a variety of acting games and exercises, voice and body work, and improvisation. Students will work on monologues and scenes, while they enhance their imagination as it relates to character, and get to the heart of great acting. The 8-week class will culminate in a presentation of improvisation, monologues or scenes.
Age 11-15* (or by consent of instructor)
$155 for 8 weeks | Drop-ins $20 per class - first 2 weeks only
Wednesdays 6-7pm starting September 21st.

AND . .
we would like to offer a class in
adult acting or musical theater performance
so please email us if you are interested.

Musical Theater
Classes and Workshops

These classes are designed for musical theater performers who want to improve on their dancing, acting, and/or singing. Each will prepare students to ace their auditions and be more comfortable performing in musical theater productions. Three formats to choose from! We highly encourage taking one or all of the classes or workshops to prepare for college or local theater auditions.

Broadway Triple Threat:
Voice and Performance
For singers who want to act and actors who want to sing, or anybody who wants to try, this class will focus on the fundamentals of vocal technique, ear training, stage presence - plus everything it takes to perform a song in character on stage. You will not only strengthen your voice but gain confidence to sing in front of a small audience, while presenting the song from the character’s point of view. You may choose to work on any song from pop/musical to standard Broadway style, with backing track, piano accompaniment or a capella. You'll receive individual as well as group coaching in voice and “acting the song” by musical theater teaching artists Abby Rosen and Janet Lazarus. The class will culminate with a final performance showcase. Please come to the first class with a song you've selected to sing.
Age 10* and up (you’ll be grouped by age)
Wednesday nights 5-6pm starting September 21st.
$155 for 8 weeks

Broadway Song and Dance!
An introduction to Musical Theater Performance
Venture into the world of Broadway musicals in this fun, high-energy class taught by Abby Rosen! Students will improve their skills at singing and dancing while learning at least one number from a popular Broadway musical with the emphasis on choreography! Most of the class will be devoted to rehearsing and polishing for the performance, just like you would be preparing to perform in one of our musicals! This is great preparation for musical theater auditions. No experience necessary. Parents and friends will be treated to an end-of-semester presentation of - you guessed it - song and dance!
Age 9* and up (or by consent of instructor)
Saturdays 10:30 - 11:30 am starting 10/15.
$135 for 6 weeks (Drop-ins $25 - first week only)

Triple Threat Weekend Intensive Series: Voice, Dance and Acting for Musical Theater
This Broadway Intensive is designed for performers of all ages who want to improve their dancing, singing and overall performance – in just three classes! Maybe you are good at one of the “threats” but want to try the other two! On three consecutive Saturdays we will cover the basics: you will learn and perform choreography, sing and perform a musical theater song, and finally, act and perform a short monologue in character. You will learn what your strengths and weaknesses are and how to improve on all three. Plus, you’ll have so much fun! This is a great way to try it out or prepare for auditions! (We strongly encourage taking this series to be ready for auditions for our summer and fall musicals (Into the Woods and Peter Pan, Jr.).
Age 11* and up. Adults are welcome!
Three Saturdays in the spring: 1:00-3:30pm (check back for next class)
$125 for three-class series

Drop-in policy

We need a minimum number of preregistered students to offer each class. Once this minimum number is met, we will allow drop-in students for most classes if you notify us in advance. However, we cannot reserve space for a drop-in if the class fills up with preregistered students. For the health and safety of our students and teachers, we are strictly limiting our class sizes.

If you would like to drop in to a class, email us at info@sierraschoolofperformingarts.org.

COVID-19 statement:
We take every precaution when holding our classes in-person. Students may wear face masks to and during class. Our large studio allows plenty of room for students to spread out and class size will be limited to allow all students to have their own space. All surfaces will be sanitized periodically, and touching or sharing surfaces will be minimal or discouraged at all times. If there are new public health restrictions imposed when classes are underway, we may adjust our protocols. If you have specific questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Send an email to: info (at) sierraschoolofperformingarts.org, or call us at 775-852-7740.

Notes on our classes

Financial aid for classes is available! Click here to download the application form.
The "Meet Our Teachers” page has info on our great teachers. Click here.
Watch our website or subscribe to our newsletter for audition announcements!

Email us if:

You are interested in teaching a class that we are not currently offering
You have an idea for a class you’d like to take
You’d like to do a virtual play

Our classes are not only fun, but they develop skills you will need as a human. Take a theater class and you can:
-Become a better listener
-Conquer fear
-Spark creativity
-Meet new people
-Become a better problem solver
-Gain confidence
-Say yes to more in life
-Learn to think fast
-Become a better public speaker
-Get out of your comfort zone in a safe environment
-Learn to work as a team
-Get out of the house, get off the screens, and have fun!

Have fun while you learn!

The benefits of training in the arts go far beyond developing theater skills. Research demonstrates that the arts are vital to a well-rounded education. They promote critical thinking, enhance spatial and temporal perception, foster positive social skills, and provide powerful motivation for students to excel in school. Such education calls for students to process information verbally, aurally, and kinesthetically—so that every child can succeed in the classroom and in life. Theater especially captures all of the above skills and learning styles in one art form! And it’s fun! We encourage you to consider giving your child the golden opportunity to develop confidence and social skills by signing them up for one of our classes or encouraging them to participate in a camp or one of our plays!

If you have questions, send an email to: info (at) sierraschoolofperformingarts.org, or call Sierra School of Performing Arts, 775-852-7740.