The Latest
February 13, 2025

Where Every Family Matters

Local kids on stage in a Perform Murfreesboro production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Local Theater Programs for Kids

Stage experience gives kids growth while providing unparalleled fun in a world of make-believe.

Middle Tennessee boasts lots of local theater programs for kids. Theater education provides kids with lots of benefits from boosting self-esteem and self-confidence to enabling them to explore their minds in new, creative ways. From theater classes and workshops to performance opportunities, here’s what your kids can tap into locally:

ACT TOO PLAYERS
1113 Murfreesboro Road, Ste. 119, Franklin
615-294-0667
In addition to offering dance, vocal performance and acting classes, Act II offers Musical Theatre & Full-Length Play Classes throughout the year for ages 7 – 18. Five fall classes — culminating in full productions on stage at the Franklin Theatre — begin in early September.

BRAVO CREATIVE ARTS CENTER
2227 Hillsboro Road, Franklin
615-599-5314
Bravo produces a few high-quality, affordable theater productions each year featuring youth casts ages 7 – 18. Classes take place throughout the year, and kids participate in all aspects of the shows, from acting on stage to all the behind-the-scenes magic. Productions take place at The Father Ryan Center for the Arts.

CENTER STAGE ACADEMY AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
110 W. College St., Murfreesboro
615-904-2787
Center Stage Academy (CSA) offers after-school acting/theater classes for kids ages 8 – 18 in the fall, winter and spring; summer sessions also take place. These sessions are eight weeks long, and CSA also provides a series of acting workshops for kids throughout the year along with production classes for main stage Broadway-type musicals.

CHRISTIAN YOUTH THEATER – NASHVILLE
1215 Hillsboro Road, Franklin
Classes in drama, music, dance, technical theater and more. CYT has fall, winter and spring 10-week theater classes for ages 4 – 18. The two-hour classes meet once a week after school and end in a showcase for family and friends.

METRO PARKS & REC THEATER DIVISION
211 27th Ave. N., Nashville
615-862-8400
The Theater Division of Metro Parks’ Cultural Arts arena boasts a lot of theater classes for children as young as 3 up to 16! Offerings this fall include Dramatic Play (Ages 3- 5), Acting Fundamentals (Ages 5 – 10), Story Drama (Ages 5 – 7), Acting Essentials (Ages 8 – 10), Acting 101 (Ages 9 – 16), Writing for the Stage (Ages 10 – 16), Musical Theater Boot Camp (Ages 10 – 16), Stage Combat (Ages 10 – 16) and more. Some classes begin Aug. 11 while others start in September and October. Tuition ranges from $50 – $80.

MURFREESBORO LITTLE THEATRE
702 Ewing Blvd., Murfreesboro
615-893-9825
MLT offers fall, spring and summer drama camps for kids ages 4 and older in addition to occasionally mounting shows during its season starring youth casts.

NASHVILLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE
25 Middleton St., Nashville
615-254-9103
Celebrating its 85th year in the Middle Tennessee community, Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT) continues to provide local kids theatrical experiences from audience and educational perspectives.

PULL-TIGHT JUNIOR YOUTH ACTORS GUILD
112 Second Ave. S., Franklin
615-790-3204
Kids ages 6 – 12 can learn about and experience all aspects of live theater through theater games, skits, backstage educational opportunities, auditioning and performance opportunities, and more. The group meets on the last Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. during the school year.

STAR BRIGHT PLAYERS
1120 Hillsboro Road, Franklin
615-790-5719
Williamson County Parks and Recreation operates the Star Bright Players theater program for ages 5 – 18. Fall and spring productions take place each year.

THE THEATER BUG
4809 Gallatin Pike, Nashville
615-818-7358
The Theater Bug provides stage training and professionally mounted shows for local kids ages 6 – 18.

 

About the Author