Every September I watch the same thing happen in my rehearsal space — a room full of kids who don't know each other yet, standing a little stiff, waiting to see if it's safe to be silly. Waiting to see if this is where their people are. And every single time, it's a theatre game that breaks it open. Within five minutes they're laughing, moving, and forgetting they were ever nervous in the first place. Whether you're running a homeschool co-op or a full classroom this year, th

Every season, without fail, someone asks me the same question: "How do you pick the shows?" And every season, I give them a version of the same answer — it's part math, part gut feeling, and part knowing my performers better than they know themselves yet. There's a whole process behind those show announcements, so I thought I'd pull back the curtain (pun very much intended) and walk you through exactly how I land on the "yes, THIS is our next show" moment. First: How Many Kid

Let's be honest — being a performer, one of the most exciting yet terrifying things is the audition process. You never know quite what people are looking for. You can walk in and give an amazing audition and still not get the part... or you could basically fall apart up there and somehow land it anyway. It's funny how that happens. I've been on both sides of that coin more times than I can count, so today I want to share some of my top audition tips — the ones I actually live

Before I tell you about him, I need to tell you about me — because honestly, his story and my story are more connected than I even realized until I sat down to write this. My Early Days in Theatre I was a kid who was big. Loud. Constantly on the go, full of energy, full of feelings, and not always sure where to put it all. I was the kid who bounced off walls in a way that didn't always go over well in traditional classroom settings. I needed somewhere that matched me — somew

Last week, my Broadway Minis took the stage for their final performance. For ten weeks, these four to eight-year-olds had been singing, dancing, playing games, and most importantly, finding their creative voice. The whole experience is designed to be loose, playful, and pressure-free. I still remember being the kid who hated strict ballet classes that gave me zero freedom and stifled everything I wanted to explore. Then came showtime! One of my little performers wore an anima

Something happened at rehearsal this week that I have to tell you about — because it stopped me in my tracks. We were running scenes for our upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz and I could see it happening in real time: some of our performers were saying their lines. Just… saying them. The words were right. The blocking was right. But something was missing. The characters weren't alive — they were just delivering information. And honestly? It's one of the most common thin

How to Help Your Child Turn Disappointment into One of Their Most Memorable Experiences on Stage Let's be honest — casting day can be tough. Your child walks in with stars in their eyes, picturing themselves as the lead, and then... they're in the ensemble, or they've got a smaller role than they hoped for. The car ride home is quiet. Maybe there are tears. And as a parent, you feel it too. I've been there — not just as a director, but as a kid myself. And I want to share som

So Why Theatre? Here's the thing about theatre — it's so much more than memorizing lines and taking a bow. It builds communication, creative thinking, emotional expression, and teamwork. All skills your kid is going to use forever. But my absolute favourite thing about using theatre in homeschooling? Half the time, kids don't even realize they're learning. They're just playing. And that's kind of the whole magic of it. Take Shakespeare, for example. Instead of staring at a pa

Picture this: your kid walks into their first day of theatre camp a little nervous, maybe hiding behind you just a bit. By Friday? They're belting out songs, making their new best friends laugh, and asking when they can come back. That's the magic of a kids acting summer camp — and honestly, we live for it. At Centre Stage Kids Summer Camp , we've built something really special: a place where young performers get to hop in headfirst into the world of musical theatre in a way

This week I had the first rehearsal of a brand-new show. First rehearsals are always exciting, but they’re also a moment when you can clearly see how different every performer’s experience is. There was one performer in particular who looked like this was something completely new for them. During our first warm-up game, I could feel her eyes on me as if she was thinking, “What is this all about?” And honestly… that’s completely normal. For many kids, theatre is a brand-new w

Drama clubs are basically powered by imagination, giggles, bold choices, and that magical moment when a group of humans becomes an ensemble. And one of my absolute favourite ways to build that energy? Circle games. They get everyone involved (no hiding in the back row!), build trust in a snap, and turn a room full of individuals into a connected, creative team. Whether you’re leading a class, running a club, or just love all things drama, adding interactive circle games can c

If you’ve spent more than five minutes in one of my theatre classes, you know one thing for sure: we play a lot of games. And no—it’s not because I ran out of lesson ideas. It’s because theatre games are one of the most powerful tools we have as educators and directors. They build confidence. They encourage creativity. They teach teamwork. They help students take risks, make bold choices, and discover what their bodies and voices can do. Over the years, I’ve developed a few s

If you’ve ever wondered what double casting is, here’s the scoop: it’s when two performers share the same role in a show. Each performer gets a chance to perform the role at different performances or even share rehearsal responsibilities. It might sound complicated, but it’s actually one of the best ways to give performers more opportunities to shine . Double casting allows every actor to explore a major role, gain confidence, and even try out different supporting roles—bec

Has your child ever said, “Will you play with me?” and your brain immediately went blank? You want to say yes… but also have no idea where to start. Good news — you’re in the exact right place Introducing little ones to theatre games is honestly pure magic. I’m talking giggles, BIG imaginations, dramatic voices, pretend worlds, and lots of “WATCH THIS!” moments that totally steal your heart. Here’s the secret most people don’t realize: theatre for young kids isn’t about st

One of my absolute favorite things about teaching theatre is watching confidence grow in real time. There’s almost always that one kiddo who walks into class holding back—quiet, unsure, maybe sticking close to a parent or avoiding eye contact. They might not want to speak at first. They might not want to jump in. And that’s okay. Truly. We start with play. Silly games. Movement. Pretend. No pressure. No “right” way to do things. And slowly—sometimes so slowly you almost miss

Creating great theatre lesson plans doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or boring—it can be just as fun as the class itself! A thoughtful plan helps keep students engaged, confident, and excited to jump in and play. Whether you’re working with brand-new performers or seasoned theatre kids, having a clear (but flexible!) plan sets everyone up for success. This guide will walk you through simple, doable steps to create theatre lessons that encourage imagination, build skills, and

The world of theatre is this magical mix of creativity, expression, and just a sprinkle of discipline. Whether you or your kiddo are brand new or already love the spotlight, online kids theatre classes make it easy to grow your skills right from home. You can explore acting techniques, play with voice and movement, and build that on-stage (or on-screen!) confidence. And yes—I know everyone went through a complete “ no thank you ” moment with online anything after Covid. But

Guaranteed giggles, imagination, and unforgettable birthday magic. Has your child ever said, “Can we have my party at home this year?” and your brain immediately whispered: “Okay… but what am I going to DO with all these kids?” You’re not alone! Luckily, I’ve got an entire treasure chest of theatre games that make parties easy, fun, and full of energy. In case you didn’t know, I spent years doing kids’ birthday parties professionally. I’d show up dressed as a princess , crown

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is destined for the bright lights of the stage, the answer might already be showing up in your living room… or your kitchen… or the grocery store aisle! Definition of a drama kid: A drama kid is the child who treats your living room like Broadway, tells stories with full emotional commitment, has a favourite costume for every mood , and can turn brushing their teeth into a dramatic scene of epic proportions. They don’t just play—the

The Importance of Warm-Ups Before we sing a note or say a line, we warm up our three most important actor tools : our body, voice, and breath. We start with a body warm-up to shake off the day. We might roll our shoulders, wiggle our fingers and toes, or reach up as tall as we can before melting down to the floor like an ice cream cone on a hot day. Sometimes we play a game about ants being in someone’s pants and making them shake. Next, we focus on breath . A few deep inhal