CONFIDENCE
Build self-esteem and speak with confidence on and off the stage.
CREATIVITY
Think imaginatively, solve problems, and express original ideas.
TEAMWORK
Collaborate, listen, and support others in a fun environment
COMMUNICATION
Strengthen speaking, listening, and presentation skills.
SELF-EXPRESSION
Discover your unique voice and share your story with the world.
RESILIENCE
Take creative risks and grow through every new challenge.
Through imaginative play, theatre games, and creative performance activities, students discover the confidence to express themselves, support one another, and have fun bringing characters to life.
Each six-week mini-semester introduces new scenes, characters, and acting challenges, allowing students to participate in one session or continue developing their skills throughout the year.
Students develop practical acting and performance skills while building creativity, communication, and self-confidence.
Class activities may include:
Because improv teaches students to think on their feet rather than memorize every word, it helps build spontaneity, confidence, creativity, and comfort expressing ideas in front of others.
Each class combines guided instruction, theatre games, improvisation, and scene work in a fun, supportive environment.
Every class emphasizes learning, creativity, and growth—not perfection. Students are encouraged to take creative risks in an environment where everyone has an opportunity to participate.
Students can expect activities such as:
Take the Stage: Acting & Improv is a great fit for students who:
Acting develops skills that benefit children far beyond the stage.
Parents often notice improvements in:
WHY CHOOSE THE
ACADEMY OF MUSIC?
TUITION
6-WEEK SESSION
$150
Perfect for students who want to explore acting and improv while experiencing a fun new six-week theme.
MOST POPULAR
12-WEEK SESSION
$280
SAVE $20!
More time to build confidence, strengthen acting skills, and enjoy new scenes, characters, and improv activities.
Does my child need previous acting experience?
No. Take the Stage welcomes beginners as well as students who have participated in plays, musicals, or other acting classes. Every student is encouraged to participate at a level that feels comfortable while continuing to build new skills and confidence.
Will there be a performance?
No. This class is designed to build acting and improvisation skills rather than rehearse for a formal production. Without the pressure of preparing for a performance, students spend every class actively participating in theatre games, scene work, and creative activities.
Can students continue after six weeks?
Absolutely! Each six-week mini-semester introduces new activities, scenes, characters, and creative challenges, so returning students continue building their skills while enjoying fresh material.
What should my child wear to acting class?
Students should wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes that allow them to move freely during theatre games and acting activities. No costumes, uniforms, or special attire are required.
Does my child need to memorize a script?
No. While students may occasionally work with short scenes, the class emphasizes improvisation, character development, theatre games, and creative expression rather than memorizing a full script or preparing for a production.
What are the best acting classes for kids in Grand Rapids?
If you’re looking for acting classes for kids in the Grand Rapids area, it’s important to find a program that’s welcoming, engaging, and designed for beginners as well as experienced students. The Academy of Music’s Take the Stage: Kids’ Acting & Improv class focuses on building confidence, creativity, communication, and teamwork through theatre games, improvisation, and scene work in a positive, encouraging environment.
Where can my child take beginner acting classes near Grand Rapids?
The Academy of Music in Grand Rapids offers acting and improv classes for children ages 9–13 with no previous acting experience required. Beginners are welcomed alongside students who have participated in school plays, musicals, or other theatre programs, allowing every child to learn and grow at their own pace.
Are acting and improv classes good for shy children?
Yes. Many parents enroll their children because they want to help them become more confident and comfortable expressing themselves. Through fun theatre games, improvisation, and group activities, students gradually build communication skills, self-confidence, and the courage to speak up—all in a supportive, low-pressure environment.
What age is best to start acting classes?
Children often begin acting classes during their elementary and middle school years, when creativity, communication, and confidence are developing rapidly. Take the Stage is designed specifically for students ages 9–13, making it an ideal introduction to acting and improvisation.
How do acting classes help children build confidence?
Acting encourages children to step outside their comfort zone in a fun and supportive setting. As students participate in theatre games, create characters, and work with classmates, they develop stronger communication skills, creative thinking, teamwork, and self-confidence that often carries over into school, sports, and everyday life.
What’s the difference between acting classes and improv classes?
Traditional acting classes often focus on rehearsing scripts and preparing for performances. Improvisation emphasizes creativity, quick thinking, listening, and teamwork by creating scenes without memorized scripts. Take the Stage combines both approaches, helping students build acting skills while encouraging imagination and spontaneous creativity.
Is this class focused on performances or learning acting skills?
This class is designed to develop acting and improvisation skills rather than rehearse for a formal performance. Without the pressure of preparing for a show, students spend every class actively participating in theatre games, scene work, creative storytelling, and character development.
What happens during a typical kids’ acting and improv class?
Each class includes a variety of engaging activities such as theatre games, improvisation exercises, character development, scene work, movement activities, and creative storytelling. Every six-week session introduces new challenges and experiences, so returning students always have something fresh to explore.
Will my child have to perform in front of an audience?
No. There are no public performances or productions associated with this class. Instead, students participate in classroom activities that allow them to build confidence, develop acting skills, and enjoy the creative process without the pressure of performing for an audience.
What life skills do children learn in acting and improv classes?
Beyond acting, students develop communication skills, creative thinking, teamwork, active listening, problem-solving, confidence, adaptability, and self-expression. These are valuable skills that help children succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Can students continue after the six-week session?
Absolutely! Each six-week mini-semester introduces new activities, scenes, characters, and creative challenges. Returning students continue building their acting and improvisation skills while enjoying fresh material every session.
Why choose the Academy of Music’s acting and improv classes in Grand Rapids?
The Academy of Music’s Take the Stage program offers a fun, welcoming environment where children ages 9–13 can develop confidence, creativity, communication, and teamwork through acting and improvisation. With no experience required, no performance pressure, and new activities every six weeks, students stay engaged while building skills that benefit them both on stage and in everyday life.
The Academy of Music in Grand Rapids proudly serves young Musicians and Actors throughout West Michigan including:
Grand Rapids | Cascade | Forest Hills | Caledonia | Wyoming | Kentwood | East Grand Rapids | Ada | Grandville | Byron Center and more
