Experiences For All Ages
The Center is excited to offer educational theatre courses, masterclasses, and programs for students of all ages looking to gain experience on-stage and behind the scenes! Scroll down to learn more about upcoming opportunities!
Production Arts Program
Fall Youth Theatre Classes
The Production Arts Program (ProArts) is an exciting educational opportunity for young people to develop theatre skills through experiential learning. This program meets once per week during the rehearsal process of THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES, and is for students of all levels of experience. ProArts participants choose to focus on either the On the Stage Track or Technical Theatre Track. Anyone can participate in ProArts without auditioning.
SATURDAYS + TECH & SHOW RUN OF EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES / OCT 11 - DEC 14, 2025
The ProArts Behind the Scenes Track is a hands-on experience for young minds looking to step into some of the important technical roles off stage that make a show come to life. Each week introduces a different technical area of theatre, such as lighting, sound, costume design, hair and makeup design, props, scenic design, stage management, and directing. By the end of the ProArts Behind the Scenes Track, students will use their new skills as they step into crew roles for the production of The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Click Here to View a Tentative Schedule
Instructors / Kylee Monahan & TBA
*Make-up class scheduled for NOV 22 in case of cancellation
The ProArts On Stage Track is an opportunity for students to develop and hone their performance skills, working with experienced and engaged mentors, to create a final showcase. This creative performance workshop meets weekly to explore various aspects of theatre performance such as improvisation, diction, vocal work, choreography, character work, and more. Students will apply these skills as they work together to create and share a final performance showcasing a short scene, song, or dance.
Please note, while the ProArts program coincides with the Youth Theatre production schedule, ProArts is a separate program and does not perform with the cast of the production.
Click Here to View a Tentative Schedule
Instructors / Zoe Deschaine & Patrick Kemmerling
Scholarships
For more information and digital application forms, visit: midlandcenter.org/scholarships
Please contact the Education Department with any questions!
2025/26 Youth Theatre Season
The Emperor's New Clothes
DEC 11–14, 2025 / 7:30 PM
RELAXED PERFORMANCE / DEC 14 / 2 PM
AUDITIONS / SEP 10 & 11 / 6 - 9 PM
LET THE FASHION FOOLERY COMMENCE!
In this colorful and comedic Youth Theatre play, two con artists arrive in town with a daring plan to swindle a vain Emperor who just can’t get enough of his own wardrobe. With a cast of hilariously over-the-top royal advisors and a fashion show for the ages, The Emperor’s New Clothes is a laugh-out-loud tale of vanity, honesty, and the courage to speak the truth.
READ THE AUDITION PACKET / Auditions will involve performing a monologue and reading from small parts of the script. Not sure what to expect? The audition packet includes details on what to prepare.
AUDITION FORM / Fill out the audition form ahead of auditions on SEP 10 & 11 once you have read through the audition packet.
Directed by Nick Pellegrino IV
By Greg Atkins
13 Jr
MAR 26–28, 2026 / 7:30 PM
RELAXED PERFORMANCE / MAR 28 / 2 PM
MAR 29, 2026 / 2 PM
“COOL” IS SOMETIMES WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT.
Evan’s life is turned upside down when he moves from New York City to a small Midwest town, and right before his Bar Mitzvah. Desperate to fit in, he finds himself navigating crushes, cliques, and chaos in this hilarious coming-of-age musical. With a catchy rock score by Tony® Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown, 13 JR. is a high-energy celebration of friendship, growing up, and finding the confidence to be yourself.
Rising Stars / Legally Blonde the Musical
JUN 25-27, 2026 / 7:30 PM
In the Auditorium!
HARVARD’S GOT A NEW RISING STAR
Elle Woods has it all, until she’s dumped for someone “serious.” With determination (and a killer wardrobe), she follows her ex to Harvard Law, only to discover she’s more heart and smarts than anyone gave her credit for. Full of big laughs, catchy songs, and unstoppable girl power, Legally Blonde The Musical is a fabulously fun journey of self-discovery and defying expectations. Performed by our talented Rising Stars on the Auditorium Stage, this empowering musical proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Like, ever.
Rising Stars Program
Every summer, Midland Center for the Arts searches for the top talent in the Great Lakes Bay Region for an intensive acting or technical theatre experience. This initiative is designed for Rising Stars, High School students (rising ninth graders through current graduating seniors), who will work through an intensive rehearsal process and star in a popular musical geared towards teens. Rehearsals will include a professional-level schedule.