Should Your Child Take Theatre or Musical Theatre? (What’s the Difference?)
- centrestagekids
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
It was 11 years ago today that my youngest son was born. Just five days prior, I had wrapped up directing a theatre show, a production I had put all my heart into. But as I sat there, holding my newborn and reflecting on the experience, I had a realization—I missed musical theatre. I had spent years teaching and directing straight plays for kids, and while I absolutely loved it, something was missing. The energy, the music, the way a song could transform a moment—it was all calling me back. The question was, how could I make a full musical production work?
Fast forward to today, and I get this question all the time from parents: Should my child take theatre or musical theatre? And more importantly, what’s the difference?
What is Theatre?
When we talk about theatre (or straight theatre), I'm referring to acting-focused performances. Plays are usually dialogue-driven and focus on storytelling through character work, movement, and emotion.
In a theatre class, your child will learn:
How to build a strong stage presence
The art of storytelling through words and movement
Improvisation and quick-thinking skills
Confidence in speaking and performing in front of an audience
Creating and developing a character or characters
Theatre is fantastic for kids who love acting, want to develop their communication skills, or enjoy the process of creating a character. If your child is a natural storyteller, enjoys reading and pretending to be someone else, or loves dramatic play, theatre might be the perfect fit.
What is Musical Theatre?
Musical theatre takes everything we love about acting and adds music and dance into the mix. It’s a triple-threat art form, meaning students work on acting, singing, and dancing all at once!
In a musical theatre class, your child will learn:
How to sing with confidence and expression
Basic dance and movement to enhance storytelling
How to combine acting with music to bring characters to life
The excitement of working with an ensemble in big musical numbers
Musical theatre is a great choice for kids who love to sing and dance or those who thrive in high-energy, dynamic environments. If your child belts show tunes around the house, can’t sit still when they hear a beat, or loves performing in front of a crowd, musical theatre might be their calling.
Which One is Best for Your Child?
There’s no right or wrong answer—it depends on what excites your child the most! Some kids naturally gravitate toward the dramatic depth of theatre, while others are drawn to the high-energy fun of musical theatre.
And here’s a secret: many kids love both! I’ve had students who started in theatre, later discovered musical theatre, and never looked back. Others have gone the opposite route, beginning in musicals but later falling in love with the depth of a beautifully acted scene.
If your child is unsure, a great starting point is trying a theatre class to build confidence in acting first. If they show an interest in music and movement, adding musical theatre to the mix can be an exciting next step.
I think when some kids think of musical theatre they get nervous about the singing part, but I love to remind them that there are lots of options within every show.
I ask my performers what do they want to do in the show:
Do they want to sing? In a group or by themselves?
Do they want to dance? In a group or by themselves?
Is there a kind of character they would like to play?
When I was in high theatre, I went to a school for the theatres and majored in theatre. I took it everyday and LOVED every moment of me, but when it came to choosing post secondary school I didn't see myself doing "just" theatre anymore. I felt like I had been there and done that I wanted to try something more and that is when I really found my love for musical theatre.
Why Theatre (or Musical Theatre) Matters
No matter which path your child chooses, both theatre and musical theatre help develop creativity, confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. They encourage kids to take risks, express themselves, and find their voice—skills that will benefit them far beyond the stage.
Looking back to that moment 11 years ago, I never could have predicted where my love for theatre and musical theatre would take me. But I do know one thing: every child deserves the chance to find their place in the performing arts. Whether through dialogue or song, theatre has a magical way of helping kids shine.
So, what will it be—Theatre or Musical Theatre? Or maybe… both?
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