KIDSTAGE Production Programs

Led by a team of theatre professionals, this production program is tailored to students in 9^th grade to 20 years of age who are seeking a career in theatre. This program is our most versatile, as it changes year to year, celebrating and creating new works, as well as musical and non-musical productions.

This program takes place during fall semester of the school year. It includes a challenging rehearsal process that requires students to learn skills such as choreography, tools for strengthening their vocal instruments, script analysis, and collaboration with professional directors, music directors, choreographers, and designers. This program also gives opportunities to students in our Technical Theatre Program to develop and practice their craft in various backstage disciplines, such as sound, lights, and backstage crew.

The goal of this program is to give students a model in which they can experience the process of a professional production in an educational setting, while also learning from experienced theatre artists. The TeenSelect production helps student performers create a network of working professionals and long-lasting working relationships.

It takes place during spring semester of the school year and can vary year to year, celebrating and creating new works, as well as musical and non-musical productions.

Students who participate in this program begin to learn the fundamentals of character development, learning choreography, staging, and vocal technique. They also experience a full production process from rehearsals, technical and dress rehearsals, to performances.

This program focuses on the performer and the development of their artistic process as they learn to create and collaborate with directors, music directors, choreographers, and designers, as well as each other. This program also gives opportunities to students in our Technical Theatre Program to develop and practice their craft in various backstage disciplines, such as sound, lights, and backstage crew. The goal of this production program is to instill the fundamentals of theatre arts and to help students find and hone their passion for theatre.

Artistic Team Age: High school through age 20*

*Due to a recent change in Summer Independent eligibility criteria, for the summer of 2024 only, alumni of KS production programs or the Village Theatre Institute who are 21 years of age will be considered eligible for Summer Independent.

Performers Age: Varies by show by general ages 14–20

The Summer Independent program is a professionally mentored program unique to Village Theatre. It the pinnacle experience for students who come with a background in live theatre, and it provides autonomy, resources, and mentorship to select, mount, and produce their own full-scale show from start to finish. Students take on every aspect of production, from performing, directing, and stage management, to designing and building sets, creating costumes, running sound and lights, marketing, production management, and more. Village Theatre’s entire professional staff—from the shops to the marketing office to the stage managers and beyond—are involved in mentoring the artistic team, all of whom are considered professional interns. The Summer Independent program is an entry point to professional theatre for the entire production team and Summer Independent performers are challenged with the goal of reaching the highest professional standards possible.

The program is a breeding ground for tomorrow’s top talents. In the last few years, many have gone on to work professionally both locally and nationally at venues such as Village Theatre Mainstage, Seattle Opera, The Paramount Theatre, ACT – A Contemporary Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and On and Off-Broadway.

The Summer Independent artistic team members, ideally, have previously participated as TTP students and/or have some experience working on productions at Village Theatre KIDSTAGE or Mainstage.