Institute

Auditions for our 2025-2026 Village Theatre Institute will take place on May 11-13, 2025.

The auditions are held in conjunction with our seasonal auditions for summer performance opportunities. For more information and instructions on what to prepare and how to sign up, go to our Institute Auditions page.

If you have any questions about the schedule or program, please check in with our Institute managers:

Issaquah: Rico Lastrapes
Everett: Aaron Norman

Historically theater education, the musical theater 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.

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 2025-2026 school year is $2,450 in Issaquah and $2,300 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.

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.

Actual times may vary. This was our schedule for Tuesdays in Issaquah for 2023-2024.