Dates/Time: Thursdays (September 12 to December 19; no class 10/3, 11/14, and 11/28) from 6:15PM to 7:45PM

Scenic Unit:

• Sept 12
• Sept 19
• Sept 26
• (No class Oct 3)
• Oct 10

Atmospheric Unit:

• Oct 17
• Oct 24
• Oct 31
• Nov 7

Costume Unit:

• (No class Nov 14 - Hadestown Tech)
• Nov 21
• (No class Nov 28 - Thanksgiving)
• Dec 5
• Dec 12
• Dec 19

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 6th to 12th

All levels of experience are welcome! Teachers in this class will work with youth at all levels of experience to help them reach their goals.

Designer’s Process will give budding designers an opportunity to work on their skills as a scenic designer, costume designer, and atmospheric designer (lighting/sound/etc). The course is divided into three units over the course of twelve weeks with a rotation of Teaching Artists. Though each discipline will rotate every four weeks, designers will be working on making creative choices around one consistent script. This course is designed with all people in mind and will run at a pace designed for beginning to intermediate level artists. Class may consist of making concept boards, creating models, and researching creative ways to approach technical challenges.

For a more hands-on technical theatre experience, we recommend also joining our yearlong StageCraft program!

Interested in scholarships? Read this page first.

*Teachers subject to change.

Dates: September 17 to December 10; no class 11/5

Time: 7pm-8pm 

Grades: 4th to 12th

Audition prep is a one-hour one on one session with a SPARC faculty member focused on preparing students for a successful audition experience. Students will work on audition materials of their choosing for auditions at SPARC, school, and community theaters in the Richmond area. If students are new to auditioning, they will receive guidance on how to select materials that are best suited for them for future audition opportunities.  

Sessions will take place in-person at SPARC (2106 North Hamilton Street Richmond, VA 23230) and can be booked on a week by week basis. To book an Audition Prep Session, please follow this link to our calendar and payment page.

Sessions will consist of monologue review, improv practice, and other tools to assist your student in their theatre career. Sessions can include a music focus with enough lead time. You will be asked more specific details about your prep needs on the booking page. 

Dates/Time: Wednesdays from 6:00PM to 8:00PM

• FALL: Sep. 18 to Dec. 12 (no class Nov. 27)
• SPRING: Jan 29 to Apr 23 (no class Apr. 2)
• Additional commitments listed below

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 6th to 12th

StageCraft is a community for students interested in all aspects of technical theatre, especially backstage work. As members of StageCraft, students meet once a week to learn from professional designers and technicians and get hands-on experience working on elements of SPARC productions. Practical skills include shop safety, set construction, lighting design and hanging, sound design, stage management, and much more! StageCraft members will also participate in weekly production meetings for Mainstage productions.

Throughout their time in the program, StageCraft members will put their learning into action as production crew for SPARC mainstage and classroom performances. Roles will be assigned based on an application process that considers interest, skill set, and experience. Along with the weekly meetings listed above we ask that families tentatively put the following SPARC performances in their calendars. Crew positions will be assigned throughout the year; not every member of StageCraft will work on every show. In addition to the programs listed below, other events that have crew opportunities may pop up throughout the school year.

• Hadestown: Teen Edition (Fall Musical): Tech Rehearsals Nov. 10 to 14; Performances Nov 15-17
• Spectrum: Tech Rehearsals Feb. 17 to 20; Performances Feb. 21 to 23
• She Kills Monsters (Spring Play): Tech Rehearsals Mar. 16-20, Performances Mar. 21-23
• Shrek Jr. (Showstoppers): Tech Rehearsals Apr. 14 to 17; Performances Apr. 17 to 19

Participants will be asked to sign a safety waiver and agree to follow all guidelines set in place by the instructors.

Interested in scholarships? Read this page first. 

*Teachers subject to change.

Photo Credit: Amy Almond

Dates/Time: Wednesdays from 6:30PM to 8:30PM PLUS tech rehearsals and performance dates. See details below.

• FALL CLASS DATES: Sept. 18 to Dec. 11
• SPRING CLASS DATES: Jan. 15 to Feb. 19
• TECH REHEARSALS: Feb. 24, 25, 26, and 27 from 5:00PM to 8:30PM
• PERFORMANCES: Feb. 28 and Mar. 1, 2024

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 8th-12th

All levels of experience are welcome! Teachers in this class will work with youth at all levels of experience to help them reach their goals.

Spectrum is a theatre arts education program for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies. Through a series of rehearsals and workshops, youth will learn the basics of storytelling, performance, production, and playwriting, as they work together to create an original play or musical.

Interested in scholarships? Read this page first. 

Photo Credit: Matt Shofner

Date/Time: Thursdays (September 19 to December 19; no class 10/3 and 11/28) from 7:00PM to 8:30PM

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 8th-12th

All levels of experience are welcome! Teachers in this class will work with youth at all levels of experience to help them reach their goals.

This class will cover the basics of choreographed fight sequences for the stage. Youth will learn how to keep themselves and others safe while creating the illusion of drama for an audience. Plus, this class will offer a helpful foundation for those who are cast in SPARC’s winter play, She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition!

When in any type of physical class that requires partner work, it is essential that students follow ALL safety protocol set in place by the instructor(s). While this class is open to all experience levels and abilities, we encourage families to consider what it means to use arms, legs, elbows, and objects in close contact with other students and the maturity level that might be needed before registering. Participants will be asked to sign a safety waiver on the first day of class.

Interested in Scholarships? Read this page first!

*Teachers subject to change.

Photo Credit: Tom Topinka