Programming for Teens
Outside of our production classes, we have other opportunities for teens to get involved with Stages. We have:
Skills-Based Classes:
These classes vary each year, and cover a wide set of skillsets. In the past, we've taught devised theatre, solo and ensemble writing, acting studio, and more!
Play Outings:
We partner with local organizations to offer free tickets to our teens.
Play Readings:
These informal, closed play readings happen 2-3 times a semester, and expose teens to plays they may not have read before.
SKILLS-BASED CLASSES
We offer classes to help teens hone specific skills for the stage. These classes can vary in length; sometimes they'll be a one-day master class, sometimes they'll span weeks. We partner with local teaching artists to teach a wide set of skills, from improv to dance.
Stay tuned to hear more about our Spring 2026 Devising in Our Backyard Workhop!
PLAY OUTINGS
Whenever possible, we partner with local arts organizations to bring free tickets to our teens. We offer these on a first come, first serve basis through a google sign up link. This past year, we secured tickets to the following performances:
Hurricane Diane at Off Night Productions
Next to Normal at Constellation Stage and Screen
Dance Nation at IU Theatre and Dance
The Prom at IU Theatre and Dance
Stay tuned for our next play outing!
PLAY READINGS
These readings aren't rehearsed, and there's no audience for them: teens just read for the fun of it! Once teens sign up, they receive the script so they can look it over beforehand (but they don't have to). Once we get closer to the reading date, we reach out with assigned roles. After the reading, we have a short discussion, usually about staging possibilities!
We started this series to create more low-commitment events that Stages teens can participate in, and expose them to scripts they may not be familiar with.
Past readings include:
Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley
a series of public apologies by John Donnelly
WHAT'S NEXT:
Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl
Wednesday, Jan 21st. 6-8:30 PM. Redbud Books.
"Tilly’s melancholy is of an exquisite quality. She turns her melancholy into an attractive thing, and every stranger she meets falls in love with her. One day, inexplicably, Tilly becomes happy, and wreaks havoc on the lives of her paramours. Frances, Tilly's hairdresser, becomes so melancholy that she turns into an almond. It is up to Tilly to get her back."
