Acting Classes for Kids in the Twin Cities, Minnesota

Photo of kids participating in an acting class. Text: "Acting Classes for Kids in the Twin Cities. Family Fun Twin Cities."

Acting Classes for kids offer more than just a chance for them to be on stage. While I started with theater arts training for a grade schooler who had caught the acting bug, I found it was also useful for my shyer child who had troubles pronouncing all of his words. We took advantage of CTC’s needs-based ACT Pass program for our young actors. But, there are plenty of opportunities for acting classes around the Twin Cities. I’ve listed some of our favorites below.

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Lundstrum Performing Arts
Learn more about Lundstrum Performing Arts Offerings Here.
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    10 Reasons Acting Classes for Kids Make A Great Extra-Curricular Activity

    As parents, we only have so much time and money for extracurricular activities. Eventually our kids choose their own activities, but when I was still making the call, I often chose acting classes for these ten reasons:

    1. My Kids Love Theatre Arts Training. It started with my grade school daughter who was absolutely certain she wanted to be an actress when she grows up. I signed us up for the ACT Pass Scholarship Program. After watching my the five-year-old glow while participating in a sample class, I signed him up, too.
    2. I hope Theatre Arts Training will teach the value of hard work. This alone would make my time and expense worth it. My daughter wasn’t really one of those kids who likes to put effort into things. Despite the fact that it was hard work sometimes, she really enjoyed it. She is in high school now and I can say that, while acting is no longer her thing, she has learned the value of hard work.
    3. I’m Always Looking for Fun Ways to Help with Language Development. My 5-year-old was slow to talk and had difficulties with some sounds. With early childhood intervention, he started to become intelligible, but I worried he wouldn’t not be ready for Kindergarten next year. Theatre Arts Training was a part of our intervention efforts. At ten, he still needs to work on speech, but we have seen great strides.
    4. Theatre Arts Training Builds Confidence and Encourages Public Speaking. Girls have it hard growing up. They can be mean to each other, boys can be pushy, and there is pressure on girls, in particular, to please everyone around them. Anything I can do to encourage self-confidence and independent thought is a plus in my book.
      Theatre Arts Training instructor reading to a group of kids at Children's Theatre Company
      When the story concluded, the real work began.
    5. Acting Encourages Teamwork. This is another thing that makes me wonder if my 5-year-old will be ready for kindergarten. He doesn’t seem to be aware of how his actions affect the people around him. Hopefully a few months of working with other children, taking turns, following direction, watching for cues and all the other things that go with acting, will help him be a little more ready.
    6. Arts Education Improves Academic Performance. This is according to studies. I don’t have proof of this yet with my own children. I do know that when my husband and I were teens, he struggled with a lot of home and school issues. The schools’ response, despite his test scores, was often to pull him out of “unessential” programs and stick him into vocational classes. When he finally got to a school which encouraged his creative side, his academic grades went from barely passing to honor roll. That’s pretty good anecdotal evidence to back up the studies.  You can read about school-related benefits here.
    7. Theatre Helps Children See The World From Other Viewpoints. I think of Seedfolk and Snowflake immediately. In my experience, stories are essential to help children become less self-centered in their view of the world.
    8. Acting Is a Method Used To Help Children Work Through Fears. Last spring, some creep was peeping through windows in my neighborhood. He was probably casing; we don’t know. But later, after he was arrested, we learned some scary things about him. Unfortunately my daughter was one of his victims and my children are all dealing with a lot of fear from that experience. Having someone peep through a window at you is creepy for an adult, but it is downright terrifying for a child. I hope as they expand their abilities to act, they can work through these fears and get past them.
    9. I get to support a program I believe in.  Children’s Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Any money I spend, goes back into creating these experiences for youth.
    10. It actually is a Family Event For Us. Children’s Theatre is in the same building as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. While the older children take their classes, the rest of us hang out at the MIA. Even going weekly during class times, we still haven’t hit every art cart or completely explored all the exhibits.

    Those are my top ten reasons. What are your reasons for the activities that make your cut? We would love to hear your thoughts.

    Lights, Camera, Action: Where to Find Acting Classes for Kids in the Twin Cities

    Lundstrum Performing Arts

    1617 North Second Street Minneapolis, MN 55411
    Lundstrum Performing arts offers school year classes, spring and summer break camps and private lessons in dance, voice and drama. Students are absorbed in a creative musical theater environment with passionate teaching artists of singing, acting and dance––ballet, jazz, hip hop.

    Kids participating in summer camp at Lundstrum Performing Arts. Text: "Minnesota's premier training program for dance, voice and drama. 'Lundstrum is an amazing place with heart and soul that nurtures the creative part of every child who comes through the door.' - Lundstrum Parent. Lundstrum Performing Arts. Dance. Voice. Drama.

    Bunce Performing Arts

    16938 Weaver Lake Drive, Maple Grove, MN 55311

    A faith-based theater organization that offers both summer camps and after school theater education.

    Children’s Theatre Company

    2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404

    Both Gianna and I have taken advantage of the Theater Arts Training (TATs) program at Children’s Theatre.  One perk of going through CTC is that they can afford to offer scholarships. Sometimes that makes them a better option for families who qualify. CTC is located in South Minneapolis.

    Children’s Performing Arts

    4941 Long Ave. Suite 111, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

    Not ready to commit? Children’s Performing Arts offers Saturday Morning Drop In classes for grades K-5 and Pizza Performance Pop-Up programs for grades 6-10th. Pick the dates that work and pay as you go. Scholarships available.

    Front Porch Musical Theatre

    14180 Northdale Blvd, Rogers, MN 55374
    Located in Rodgers, Front Porch infuses both their classes and their production with a Christian world view.

    Illusion Theater

    3754 Pleasant Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
    Illusion’s arts education programs strive to help students learn important social emotional skills, basic life skills and encourage teamwork and collaboration. The work to foster a sense of awareness, commitment and ownership of this world, while giving them a platform to talk about issues that are important to them in way that empowers and helps them grow.

    Moore Than Dance

    1220 East Moore Lake Drive, Fridley, MN 55432
    Our partner company, Moore Than Dance, offers more than just dance classes (I’m assuming that pun was attended, although they are also located near Moore Lake). Conveniently located just outside Northeast Minneapolis off of 694, Moore Than Dance offers musical theater classes as well as dance in a wholesome environment that focuses on creativity, personal growth and the inherent value of each student.

    Merrill Arts Center

    380 Rivertown Dr #200, Woodbury, MN, 55125
    Located in Woodbury, Merrill Arts Center offers acting classes and camps throughout the year.

    Open Window Theatre – Young Actors Academy

    5300 S. Robert Trail, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077
    Now that Open Window has found a new permanent home in Inver Grove Heights, they are able to offer regular youth drama classes again. This faith-based theatre has a mission to share redemptive stories of faith, hope and reconciliation.

    Stages Theatre Company

    1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
    Stages is located in Hopkins and offers classes, camps and workshops. Kids can audition for their productions and will work alongside professionals.

    SteppingStone Theatre

    Park Square Theatre, West 7th Place, Saint Paul, MN 55102
    Although we don’t have experience with their acting classes, we have attended community events and auditions at Steppingstone Theatre and find them an enthusiastic and child-centered theater program. SteppingStone is located in Saint Paul and has recently merged with Parkway Theatre. All classes are Pay-As-You’re-Able.

    Youth Performance Company

    641 Fairview Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104
    YPC is located on Fairview Avenue in St Paul. They offer summer camps, classes and performances that kids can audition for.

    I don’t expect my teenagers to be running off to New York City or Los Angeles to chase their acting dream, we have had good experiences with learning the performing arts that have lasted.


    Map of Acting Classes for Twin Cities Kids

     

    This article contains both paid partner and free entries of acting classes. These classes have been collected as a convenience to parents seeking acting class options and are for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Family Fun Twin Cities.

    We would love to hear your experience. Let us know which acting studio you work with. Did you go with classes or private coaching? What advice do you have for other parents? Share your thoughts in the comments, so we can share with the community.

    This article was originally published in February 2015
    and most recently updated January 29, 2024

    How Do I Get Classes Listed?

    This is a community-created list of acting classes for kids. We offer free listings of basic information here. Our FREE listings include your an address and a short description of class offerings. If you are interested in adding an image, link or a longer description, we offer affordable upgrades as well as article sponsorship opportunities.

    This article is currently sponsored through January 31, 2025.

    Learn more about how to be added to this article or how you can be a Family Fun Twin Cities partner here.

    6 thoughts on “Acting Classes for Kids in the Twin Cities, Minnesota”

    1. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this blog post! As a parent of a young child, I’ve been looking for fun and engaging acting classes in the Twin Cities area. The thought of my child being able to express themselves through acting and gain confidence is music to my ears. I can’t wait to check out some of these classes and see which one would be the best fit for my little one. Thank you for sharing this valuable information!

    2. I completely agree that acting classes can be a great way to help kids develop their creativity and confidence. My own child has taken classes at the Children’s Theater Company in Minneapolis and has absolutely loved it. She’s gained so much confidence on stage and has learned valuable skills that will benefit her in all areas of life. I highly recommend these classes to any parents looking to give their kids a boost.

    3. It sure was nice that you pointed out that theater training could actually allow a child to develop self-confidence and independence. My husband and I will then find a theater company that offers training programs for adults with physical disabilities. We have a 19-year-old daughter whose right leg ended up permanently disabled due to an auto accident 4 years ago, and we want her to restore her confidence to act and showcase her acting skills in front of many.

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