Institute

Check back next year for information about our 2024–2025 Institute auditions.

If you have any questions please check in with our Institute managers:
Issaquah: Rico Lastrapes, rslastrapes@villagetheatre.org
Everett: Aaron Norman, anorman@villagetheatre.org

Historically theatre education, the musical theatre cannon, and the standards set in the industry have not represented or included students of the global majority and those who identify as LGBTQ+. KIDSTAGE has been on an intentional journey to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive program.  (link to racial equity plan). In June of 2020, Village Theatre joined theatres throughout the country to go deeper and work to become an anti-racist, organization. We will forever work to be an anti-racist community of belonging that supports individual and community needs.

Village Theatre believes that experiential learning in theater arts is a powerful tool for building essential life and career skills including critical thinking, concentration, collaboration, discipline, communication and creativity. We strive to ensure that all young people are able to participate in our programs. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

Institute tuition for the 2023-2024 school year is $2,350 (on the payment plan: $235 a month) in Issaquah and $2,150 (on the payment plan: $215 a month) in Everett.

Apply for financial assistance

Additional Tuition Information

• We offer a 10% discount on tuition to multiple students from the same family.
• *As a courtesy to our families, we offer the opportunity to divide Institute tuition up into 10 payments (the first payment is a non-refundable deposit).
• Monthly payments will be charged to the card used for the deposit unless other arrangements are made with KIDSTAGE staff.
• Tuition payments will be charged on/or after the fifteenth day of each month during the payment plan period (September-May).
• The Institute program is not a pay-as-you-go program. Full payment of the entire tuition is required regardless of student’s attendance during the year.
• Participation in KIDSTAGE school-year productions is encouraged but optional, and these programs have a separate tuition.
• Institute students may be eligible for discounts on additional programs.

• Create an inclusive intentional community where students from every background can come together to build their skills for musical theatre and for life.
• Provide instructors that can recognize, value, and lift up each individual student’s unique artistic identity.
• Cultivate a positive learning environment where students are challenged wherever they are on their artistic path.
• Explore diverse theatrical influences and not just those from the popular musical cannon.
• Provide support for students as they embark on a journey of who they are and what gifts they have to offer to this world through theatre.

Acting

Through a storytelling lens, students will develop acting techniques through ensemble-based classes. Techniques include character development, ensemble building, improvisation, audition/callback technique, and monologue/scene-study. Classes may also incorporate voice and speech, movement, Alexander Technique, Viewpoints, devised work, and more.

Singing

Students will find their natural voice and develop skills in a group singing class format that emphasizes theory, harmony, ear training, repertoire, and style. Students will explore solo singing and artistry through song interpretation and connecting storytelling elements learned in their acting classes for a more grounded and truthful performance. Students will also have help building their audition book and preparing materials for upcoming shows and college auditions. Institute singing classes should not take the place of private voice lessons, which are highly encouraged.

Dance

We believe dance is for all people. We take into consideration accessibility needs and meet our students where they are no matter their background. Students will develop dance technique and performance skills from a wide variety of styles that will prepare students for auditions, callbacks, and a professional career in theatre. Dance classes provide tools to increase flexibility and improve core strength. Students will also explore acting/storytelling through dance, specificity of movement, dancing with strength, and choreography retention. Additional KIDSTAGE classes are highly encouraged.

Electives

On our Monday programming, students will explore what it means to be on the other side of the artistic table and develop vocabulary and skills in Choreography, Directing, Musical Direction, Voice Acting, Writing and more. Students will learn to expand their tool box beyond performing. Elective classes are offered during the first semester with the opportunity to use their exciting new skill set in our showcase in the second half of the year.

Students are placed into small cohort groups, based on their audition, callback, age, and experience. Students may advocate for their placement by request. The number of spots available in each cohort for new students varies from year to year.

Actual times may vary. This was our schedule for Tuesdays in Issaquah for 2022-2023.

Students will share progress from their classes via open-class format or Showcase.

KIDSTAGE performance opportunities are open to all KIDSTAGE students, including but not limited to students in Village Theatre Institute.

• TeenSelect is open to students grade 9–age 20
  • Auditions: September
  • Rehearsals: October/November
  • Performances: December
• Ensemble is open to students grades 3–8.
  • Auditions: January
  • Rehearsals: Late February–April
  • Performances: April
• KIDSTAGE Originals is open to students grade 9–age 20 who have an interest in book writing, lyric writing, and/or composing. Students create their own musical theatre works with professional mentorship. Additional students join the process to bring the characters to life in a stage reading or developmental production.
  • Applications and Interviews: September
  • Writing workshops: October–February
  • Actor Rehearsals: Winter
  • Stage readings or Performances: Spring

Village Theatre Institute students age 17 and older are encouraged to audition at Village Theatre General Auditions each spring.

The 2023-2024 Institute forms are in progress and will be available prior to auditions in May 2023. Feel free to check out the 2023-2023 forms below. 

Issaquah Tuition Agreement
Issaquah Contract Form
Issaquah Attendance Policy 

Everett Tuition Agreement
Everett Contract Form
Everett Attendance Policy