KIDSTAGE
KIDSTAGE Inside Scoop: Summer 2026
Dear KIDSTAGE families,
There’s something special about fall at KIDSTAGE. After a summer full of camps, laughter, and hands-on skill building, we get to watch that momentum carry forward into a new season of classes, productions, fresh goals, and new opportunities. Whether your student is stepping into a KIDSTAGE class for the very first time or returning to build on skills from last year, fall always brings a renewed sense of possibility and we are delighted to invite your family along for the journey.
New Pre-Professional Workshops
This year, we’re proud to introduce two new workshops designed for students in Grades 7 – Age 20 ready to take their training to the next level: Pre-Professional Dance Intensive and Pre-Professional Audition Intensive.
The audition intensive will be taught by Village Theatre artistic staff including our artistic director, Adam Immerwahr. The dance intensives will be taught by Village Theatre mainstage choreographers including Katy Tabb and Daniel Cruz.
These workshops offer a more focused, industry-informed experience, giving students a taste of the skills, discipline, and pace they’ll encounter as they pursue theatre at a pre-professional or professional level
Finding the Right Fit:
Saturday Classes vs. Advanced Programs
Saturday classes offer a path for students at every stage.
Exploratory classes are designed for students who are new to theatre or looking to build foundational skills in a supportive, low-pressure environment, emphasizing creativity, confidence, and the basics of performance.
For students ready to build on those skills, our Intermediate classes — including Acting Intensive, Singing and Monologues, and Saturday Dance — offer a chance to go deeper, supplement training alongside our Advanced Programs, or prepare for a move into more advanced or pre-professional tracks.
Advanced Programs, including the Village Theatre Institute and our College Preparatory Program, are designed for students with prior training or experience who are ready to deepen their craft, take on more challenging material, and work at a faster, more intensive pace. Students in these programs are also welcome to pair them with an Intermediate class for additional focused training in a specific skill area.
If your student is unsure which path is right for them, our team is always happy to talk through options.
KIDSTAGE in your school
Did you know that KIDSTAGE partners with local schools to provide high-quality theatre education. We offer both in-school residencies and before or after school enrichment classes. Reach out to Janet Cole Hamilton if you are interested in learning more
Next at KIDSTAGE
This winter, Issaquah students 9th grade and up can dive into the high-energy hit Footloose (DEC 4-20), while in Everett, students will bring to life the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss in Seussical™ (DEC 11–20), performed in a unique concert-style production with a live on-stage band.
Spring will bring opportunities for 5th–9th graders in both Matilda Jr. in Everett and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in Issaquah.
Finally, we’re accepting proposals now for our Summer Independent Production, where students can pitch shows for the chance to see their artistic vision on stage next summer.
EXPLORE Auditions & Opportunities
Student and Alumni Spotlight
We’d love to give a shoutout to current KIDSTAGE student Owen Shaflik, who will appear in our upcoming production of Ragtime, along with five KIDSTAGE alumni in the acting company: Zhanea June, Donovan Mahannah, Nick McCarthy, Jessica Ziegelbauer, and Will Chadek.
Thank you, as always, for being part of the KIDSTAGE community. We can’t wait to see where this season takes your students.
My door is always open, and I love hearing from you. Please feel free to reach out anytime at sbixler@villagetheatre.org.
With gratitude,
-Suzie C. Bixler, Director of Youth Education
Originally published Aug 27, 2026