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.
WHAT'S NEXT:
Water. Gun. Argument.
by Alan Haehnel
A Stages Play Reading
Wednesday, Feb 25th from 6:30-7:30. Redbud Books.
"Every year the students of Ratherford High participate in a squirt gun competition called Assassin. There are rounds, rules and judges.
It’s the oldest game in the world, right? Kids trying to shoot at each other with play guns? It’s become a national phenomenon, so what’s the harm?
If there was an actual school shooting, of course they’d stop playing. And a squirt gun would never be mistaken for a real gun, right? An argument is a lie you choose to believe and defend. A thought provoking and powerful piece in a docu-theatre style."
Content Disclosure: This play discusses death, gun violence and physical violence.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
by Tom Stoppard
Produced by Eclipse Productions
A Stages Play Outing
Thursday, March 19th at 7:30. John Constellation Playhouse.
Come with Stages to see a free dress rehearsal of the play, 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' by Tom Stoppard on March 19th at 7:30 at the Constellation Playhouse! This show will be presented by Eclipse Productions Company.
Please meet us inside the Playhouse's Lobby at 107 W 9th St at 7:15 PM. The show is recommended for ages 14+. There are limited slots available, and we encourage grades 8th through 12th to register.
"Acclaimed as a modern dramatic masterpiece, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is the fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet as told from the worm’s-eye view of two minor characters in Shakespeare’s play."
CW: sexual references
For more information about the show, click here.
WHAT'S NEXT:
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
