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.

Live Art 2024 – 2025

Live Art is a multi-disciplinary arts program for neurodiverse youth and youth with and without disabilities between the ages of 10 and 18.

Live Art classes are taught by our team of highly skilled teaching artists and special educators. These teams collaborate to design accessible, artistically rigorous lessons and build, week over week, toward a final performance of an original work at the end of the year. 

All young people involved in Live Art go through a brief interview with programmatic staff. Click here to complete the interview registration form. We will contact those who complete the form to schedule a brief, informal interview.

Once in class, youth and teaching artists will choose the performing arts disciplines they would like to learn and explore, including songwriting, music, storytelling, acting, improv, and dance. By expanding the artistic possibilities available to each group, youth will foster creative innovation and develop increased confidence in artistic and creative expression. 

At the end of the year, each class will contribute to a final presentation that will be shared with friends, family, and members of the public to listen, learn, and enjoy. 

Location: In person at SPARC 

Class Meeting Dates/Times; Choose One:

• Thursdays from 5:45PM to 6:45PM OR
• Saturdays from 11:00AM to 12:00PM

Year Overview:

• First week of classes: September 16      
• Last week of classes before winter break: December 9      
• Classes resume: Week of February 17      
• Tech rehearsals: May 15 and 16      
• Final show: May 17!

Payment plans and scholarships are available to support financial access to Live Art. Click here to learn more.

Dates/Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, Sep. 18 to Apr. 9, from 4:30PM to 6:00PM, with a winter break. Please see detailed schedule below.

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 4th to 8th

This intermediate-level is the next stage of learning for students who have completed at least one year of SPARC programming.

Teachers: Breezy and Josh

Showstoppers is the ideal choice for young people who are ready to commit to a more rigorous musical theatre-based rehearsal and performance process. Students in this class will meet for an hour-and-a-half twice a week from September to April (not including a winter break). During that time, the cast of Showstoppers will learn skills like audition preparation, rehearsal etiquette, behind-the-scenes artistry, and – of course – they’ll learn their show! In doing so, elements of performance like acting, scene work, memorization, choral singing, solo/small group singing, and dance will be heavily emphasized. Students will understand and practice singing in parts (harmony and melody). Youth will identify the roles of a director, music director, and choreographer as part of a rehearsal and performance practice. The curriculum of this class also includes developing communication and collaboration skills for the theatre like dependability, cooperation, and teamwork. 

Showstoppers will present this year’s title, Dreamworks' Shrek the Musical Jr., in the spring for an audience of family and friends. Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

Class Meeting Dates: 9/16, 9/18, 9/23, 9/25, 10/2, 10/7, 10/9, 10/14, 10/16, 10/21, 10/23, 10/28, 10/30, (no class 11/4), 11/6, 11/11, 11/13, 11/18, 11/20, 11/25, (no class 11/27), 12/2, 12/4, 12/9, 12/11, (winter break), 1/22, 1/27, 1/29, 2/3, 2/5, 2/10, 2/12, 2/17, 2/19, 2/24, 2/26, 3/3, 3/5, 3/10, 3/12, 3/17, 3/19, 3/24, 3/26, (no class 3/31 and 4/2), 4/7, 4/9

• Tech Rehearsals: Monday 4/14, Tuesday 4/15, Wednesday 4/16 4:30PM to 6:30PM each day
• Performances: Thursday 4/17 (7:00PM curtain), Friday 4/18 (7:00PM curtain), and Saturday, 4/19 (2:00PM curtain) at SPARC’s theater 

Interested in scholarships? Read this page first.

*Teaching artists subject to change.

Dates/Time: Mondays (September 16 to December 9; no class 11/4) from 5:15PM to 6:30PM

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 5th to 8th

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.

Young people who enjoy creating characters, telling stories, and immersing themselves in a role will delight in this class with an emphasis on play! Students will expand their understanding of important acting and improvisational skills like working with scene partners, making strong choices, expressing emotion, and saying "yes". This dynamic class also teaches focus, empathy, and commitment. 

Acting and Improv Studio starts with a focus on improvisational comedy skills like trusting your instincts and working cooperatively with a team. Then as the session continues, those skills are applied to scripted scene work, where students will expand their understanding of acting through giving life and truth to a character, investing in the character’s given circumstances, and using acting concepts like objectives/obstacles/tactics. At the end of the session, students will share their favorite parts of these two branches of theatre for a small audience of friends and family. Improvisational topics and acting scenes will vary from session to session. Youth who enjoy this class are encouraged to take it more than once so that they can continue to practice their new skills. 

Interested in scholarships? Read this page first

*Teachers subject to change.

Photo Credit: Courtney Thompson

Dates/Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sep. 17 to Mar. 27, from 4:00PM to 5:30PM, with a winter break. Please see detailed schedule below.

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 4th to 8th

This intermediate-level is the next stage of learning for students who have completed at least one year of SPARC programming.

Teachers: Chewie and Josh

Showstoppers is the ideal choice for young people who are ready to commit to a more rigorous musical theatre-based rehearsal and performance process. Students in this class will meet for an hour-and-a-half twice a week from September to April (not including a winter break). During that time, the cast of Showstoppers will learn skills like audition preparation, rehearsal etiquette, behind-the-scenes artistry, and – of course – they’ll learn their show! In doing so, elements of performance like acting, scene work, memorization, choral singing, solo/small group singing, and dance will be heavily emphasized. Students will understand and practice singing in parts (harmony and melody). Youth will identify the roles of a director, music director, and choreographer as part of a rehearsal and performance practice. The curriculum of this class also includes developing communication and collaboration skills for the theatre like dependability, cooperation, and teamwork. 

Showstoppers will present this year’s title, Dreamworks' Shrek the Musical Jr., in the spring for an audience of family and friends. Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

Class Meeting Dates: 9/17, 9/19, 9/24, 9/26, 10/1, (no class10/3), 10/8, 10/10, 10/15, 10/17, 10/22, 10/24, 10/29, 10/31, (no class 11/5) 11/7, 11/12, 11/14, 11/19, 11/21, 11/26, (no class 11/28), 12/3, 12/5, 12/10, 12/12, (winter break), 1/14, 1/16, 1/21, 1/23, 1/28, 1/30, 2/4, 2/6, 2/11, 2/13, 2/18, 2/20, 2/25, 2/27, 3/4, 3/6, 3/11, 3/13, 3/18, 3/20, 3/25, 3/27, (no class 4/1 and 4/3)

• Tech Rehearsals: Monday  4/8, Tuesday 4/9, Wednesday 4/10 4:30PM to 6:30PM each day
• Performances: Thursday 4/11 (7:00 pm curtain), Friday 4/12 (7:00 pm curtain), and Saturday, 4/13 (2:00PM curtain) at SPARC’s theater

Interested in scholarships? Read this page first.

*Teaching artists subject to change.

Date/Time: Tuesdays (September 17 to December 10; no class 11/5) from 5PM to 6:15PM

Location: In person at SPARC

Grades: 5th to 8th

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.

Jump into the upbeat world of musical theatre in this high-energy class. Students who enjoy singing and dancing will love this opportunity to learn music and choreography from their favorite shows. Young performers will learn several styles of movement and song in this class, while learning more about theatre through games and warm-ups. Students will also grow skills like ensemble-building, information recall, and sharing the spotlight. 

Each young person will develop physical and vocal techniques for performance. Vocal skills include expression through choral music, using proper breath support, and following basic conducting gestures. Physical skills include conveying emotion through movement, building endurance and coordination, and retaining patterns of choreography over time. At the end of the session, the youth will perform musical theatre-style songs and dances for a small audience of friends and family.

The world of musical theatre is deep and wide, and there is a wealth of classic and contemporary material to explore in Musical Theatre Studio. Youth who enjoy this class are encouraged to return and learn more from the canon! 

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

Interested in scholarships? Read this page first

*Teachers subject to change.

Photo Credit: Liz Earnest

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