Allegro Youth Theatre Expansion

What a crazy year it's been at Allegro! All in a good way.

I thought I knew what everything would look like when I said "Hey - why don't we focus on youth theatre!"

Yeah - no. I didn't know!!!

Let me give you a little walk through history of the last 12 months. Then I'll tell you what we're doing this year!

July was when this crazy idea really launched. We had been doing theatre summer camps for awhile, but last summer we decided to step it up. We performed Shrek Jr at Journey Church under the leadership of Shania Duane. We were blown away by what those kids and leaders accomplished in two weeks is an understatement!

That's when we decided to invite everyone to join us for our new program!

Some of the Shrek Jr Cast (photo by Mindy Ratcliff, The Little Photoshop)

We opened the fall performance program with plans to perform Frozen Jr. Our goal was 20 students. We had a plan in place to recruit the 20 in case we needed to. Within 3 weeks of opening enrollment we had maxed out enrollment with 32 students.

So off we went into the land of Frozen. We performed with 36 students, we sold out all three shows, and offered a fourth show to the Ruritan organization. That was a blast!

Cast of Frozen Jr (photo by Mindy Ratcliff, The Little Photoshop)

In January, before Frozen Jr was over, we decided to split the class. We would have a littles class to perform Nemo Kids (in May), and an olders class to perform Disney Descendents (in June). More teachers, more classes, more students.

Cast of Finding Nemo Kids, performed at St James

Standing ovation to a sold out opening night of Disney's Descendents

So, now what??

Well, I'm glad you asked!

Allegro is a teaching studio, first and foremost. However, being on stage is what everyone wants. Our classes will be a combination instruction and performance for all ages. Our theatre instruction is designed to provide students training, leading to skills on the theatre stage and in life. Classes include a variety of topics ranging from character development, script analysis, and monologues. Students will be given different performance opportunities throughout the year.

​All classes will run from August through May, with performances in April/May/June (we're working on the final performance dates now!).

All classes will also perform a scene from their show in the end of year Allegro Showcase.

Discover MAD Skills - ages 5-7. Students will delve into all aspects of Musical Theatre during the year: Music, Acting, Dance. They will perform in one scene in the AYT Explorers performance. This class has open enrollment.​ Class meets once a week, 45 minutes, on Monday, 5pm.

AYT Explorers - ages 8-11. This class continues the MAD Skills learning and will meet on Mondays & Wednesdays from 6-7, (if your student was in Finding Nemo, this is the same class). This class has open enrollment, with all students guaranteed a part in the production with auditions for roles. This class will put on a Kids show at the end of the year.

AYT Adventures - ages 12 -18. Class will meet Wednesdays 5:30-7:30, (if your student was in Descendants, this is the same class). This class has open enrollment, with all students guaranteed a part in the production with auditions for roles. In this class, students will continue building their musical theatre skills in acting, singing, and dance, and will put on a full Junior show at the end of the year.

NEW - AYT Legends - ages 12-18. Class meets Thursdays 5:30-7:30. Placement in this class is by audition. Any student who registers for the AYT Adventures class will have the opportunity to audition for the AYT Legends class if they choose to, though placement is not guaranteed. Students who are not cast in the AYT Legends class still have guaranteed placement in the AYT Adventures class. This class begins our expansion and path to college prep and higher levels of materials to perform, diving into more advanced fundamentals. This class also requires more outside commitment and practice from the students. This class will put on a full show at the end of the year.

Take at look at our ​Allegro Youth Theatre webpage​ for all the details and a link to enroll.

While you're there, check out the ​Allegro Dance webpage​ to see what we offer to support theatre.

If you have questions, please hit reply! We can't wait to see you in the fall!