SSPA Education Programs
Classes for All Ages
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Sierra School of Performing Arts offers classes in acting, voice and dance for children and adults. For the latest updates, click here to subscribe to our newsletter, or click here to join us on Facebook. Click here to see answers to frequently asked questions about our classes. Financial assistance is available for all classes. Click here to download the application form.
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Spring 2020 Class Schedule
Acting Classes
New Class!
Theater Lab: Create a Play!
Characters from a land far, far away travel in time to save the world... Have you ever wanted to participate in creating something new and exciting? Do you want to act, direct, or work backstage, and create costumes, sets and props? Each student will be given the opportunity to choose their own characters, and we’ll work as an ensemble to brainstorm ideas that we’ll develop into a short play to present to an audience. Through exercises, think sessions, writing jams, and improvisation, we’ll create plots, develop characters and craft dialog. If you love theater and want to delve into all aspects, this class is for you! Grades 6 and up Mondays, starting February 3 6:30-8:30pm $225 for 10 weeks (no drop ins) Click here to register. Acting Fundamentals: Acting for Teens
Acting and improv teacher Jennifer Rae is back! Learn the basics of acting and performance with a focus on character development, team-building, and improving confidence. The class focuses on a variety of acting exercises, voice and body work, and improvisation. Students will enhance their imagination as it relates to character, and get to the heart of great acting. After working on monologues and scenes with partners, the 10-week class will culminate in a presentation on stage for parents and friends. This class may be repeated since it is always a little different. Age 13-17, Grades 6 and up (or by consent of instructor) Mondays, starting February 3 5:30-6:30pm $150 for 10 weeks | Drop-ins $20 per class - first week only Click here to register. 
Curtain Up! Intro to Acting for Preteens
This exciting and entertaining class will teach your preteen the fine art of creating believable characters that will enthrall and captivate the audience. Designed for the beginning or “still learning” acting student, this class focuses on team-building and improving confidence through a variety of acting exercises, voice and body work, and improvisation. It is designed to prepare you for acting in both plays and TV/film. The 10-week class will culminate in a presentation of monologues or scenes for parents and friends. This class may be repeated as it is always a little different. Age 9-12, Grades 4-7, (8-year-olds may participate by consent of the instructor) Tuesdays, starting February 4 6:00-7:00pm $150 for 10 weeks | Drop-ins $20 per class - first week only Click here to register. 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, 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 will have the opportunity to perform for parents on the last day of class. Parents must be on premises during the first two weeks of class or by request. Age 5-8 Saturdays, starting February 1 10:00-10:45am $125 for 8 weeks | Drop-ins $20 per class - first 2 weeks only Parents must be on premises during first two weeks of class or by request. Click here to register. Acting for Teens/Adults
This class will teach (or review) the basics of acting, stage movement and character development in a non-competitive, low-pressure environment. We focus on developing and expanding the actor’s skill set and imagination. Through acting exercises, improvisation, monologue and scene work, you will discover (or re-discover) the performer in you and get more comfortable on stage! Coaching will be individual to the level of the student. Students will perform only in and for the class, in order to give and get feedback. What is gained may be applied to stage or screen acting. Class may be taken continuously. Adults and teens 17+ Tuesdays, starting February 4 7:00-9:00pm $175 for 8 weeks Click here to register. |
Musical Theater and More
Broadway Song and Dance! An Introduction to Musical Theater Performance
Venture into the world of Broadway musical theater theater as we explore the themes of inclusion and acceptance through songs and characters from Shrek the Musical! Students in this class will improve their skills singing, and dancing while singing. They will also practice picking up simple choreography or movement, while learning some basic singing techniques and how to "act a song." 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 8, Grade 3 and up (or by consent of instructor) Saturdays, starting February 1 11:00-12:00 pm $150 for 10 weeks | Drop-ins $20 per class - first 2 weeks only Click here to register. Triple Threat Weekend Intensive Series
Voice, Dance and Acting for Musical Theater Our Triple Threat Intensive is designed for musical theater performers who want to improve their dancing and singing to prepare for musical theater auditions. On three consecutive Saturdays we will cover the basics: you will work on choreography, singing and performing a musical theater song, and finally, acting and performing a monologue in character. With individual feedback you will learn your strengths and weaknesses so you can improve and be more competitive. We highly encourage taking this series to prepare for auditions for our summer musical, “Annie”. Jazz or character shoes are encouraged. Age 12, Grade 5 and up (or by consent of instructor) | Adults encouraged to join us Saturdays, February 1, 8 and 15 1:00–4:00 pm $125 for 3 week series Click here to register. 
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Performance Opportunities
Summer Musical
Annie, August 2020. Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater.
Auditions will be March 28, 29, and April 1. Performances August 14 - 28. Click here for details.
Annie, August 2020. Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater.
Auditions will be March 28, 29, and April 1. Performances August 14 - 28. Click here for details.
Youth Musical
December, 2020. Show and audition information coming soon.
December, 2020. Show and audition information coming soon.
Financial assistance is available. Click here to download the application form.
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Have fun while you learn!
Sierra School of Performing Arts has been empowering kids and teens since 2005. We offer a full range of theatrical and educational opportunities. SSPA camps and classes teach theater arts to students as young as age 5. Our students in elementary through high school and beyond have the chance to perform in a professional-style environment. For kids, teens, and adults that have never been on stage, our classes can provide the tools and the confidence to take that next step and audition for a show. For the aspiring performer, we can prepare them for their college or professional auditions. Our former students have gone on to study theater at conservatory and professional programs, appear in regional professional theater, and star in off-Broadway productions. One even appeared as a finalist on The Voice! We offer training in everything from movement for actors to improvisation, auditioning techniques to musical theater.
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.
