About
Stages Chicago offers classes, Day Off Camps, Summer Camp, developmentally appropriate music classes for infants, and after school programs. The program’s Day Off Camps are inspired by children’s favorite Broadway shows and movie musicals, and its Summer Camp combines the magic of Broadway with the fun and freedom of summer. Half Day Camps are available for ages 3–4, and Full Day Camps are available for grades K–6.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
Stages Chicago is an arts education program founded in 2016 that is dedicated to bringing the highest quality, developmentally appropriate performing arts experiences to children and families. In 2021, Stages Chicago transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in order to expand its reach and better support its mission of making quality performing arts education experiences accessible for all children and families. The program offers inclusive programming for all ages and abilities, with a core value that children of all races, abilities, and socio-economic statuses should have access to high quality arts education and arts experiences. Its curriculum is developed by professional performers turned early childhood development professionals who have decades of experience onstage and in the classroom, and it includes developmentally appropriate music classes for infants that are also entertaining for adults. Stages Chicago also offers after school programs that serve as a training ground for the next generation of performers, and free and subsidized classes for schools are available.
The leadership team includes Founder, Executive Director, and Board President Emily Pinas Schakowsky; Director of Early Childhood Programming and Board Vice President Colin Funk; Board Secretary Allison Hendrix; Board Treasurer Jeremy Round; and Community Outreach Specialist and Board Member Sara Yaniga. Emily earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from New York University’s Steinhardt School, attended the Summer Intensive at Circle in the Square Theatre School on Broadway, served as an apprentice at Williamstown Theatre Festival, earned her Equity card performing in Bitty Bear’s Matinee in New York, and earned a Master of Science in Child Development with a specialization in Infancy and Administration from Erikson Institute. Colin has worked as an actor and choreographer for professional shows throughout Chicago, has worked with companies like Metropolis, Towle, Kokandy, Porchlight, and many others, continues to sing in The Chicago Carolers and The Feathered Beaus and self-produced cabarets, produces a podcast called “Then, A Moment,” has gotten a master’s degree in childhood development from Erikson Institute with a focus in infancy, became a developmental therapist with a trauma-based care specialization, and works part time as an Infant Development Specialist at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. Allison’s career spans work as an actor, pianist, music director, director, and founding Artistic Director of Kokandy Productions, and she has taught and worked with students from infancy through college level, led education workshops in partnership with Broadway in Chicago, and holds a 500-hour advanced yoga certification and has been a practicing instructor since 2012. Jeremy studied film at Northwestern (class of 2002), completed his MBA at UCLA in 2009, is a serial entrepreneur, HR expert and business advisor, has owned and operated businesses in the home services sector, children’s enrichment, real estate and addiction treatment, and his HR expertise stems from his time as a leader in Yahoo’s People Team and his time at Cultivate Brands, where he is a partner.
Stages Chicago states a core value that representation and diversity matter and expresses a desire to celebrate and amplify diverse voices and stories. The program states a belief that arts experiences foster empathy in children which in turn builds more inclusive communities, and a belief in the magic of musical theatre and the ability of high quality arts experiences to inspire creativity, curiosity, and openness in children. Stages Chicago offers school-based programming through school partnerships and has led education workshops in partnership with Broadway in Chicago.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
Stages Chicago is an arts education program founded in 2016 that is dedicated to bringing the highest quality, developmentally appropriate performing arts experiences to children and families. In 2021, Stages Chicago transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in order to expand its reach and better support its mission of making quality performing arts education experiences accessible for all children and families. The program offers inclusive programming for all ages and abilities, with a core value that children of all races, abilities, and socio-economic statuses should have access to high quality arts education and arts experiences. Its curriculum is developed by professional performers turned early childhood development professionals who have decades of experience onstage and in the classroom, and it includes developmentally appropriate music classes for infants that are also entertaining for adults. Stages Chicago also offers after school programs that serve as a training ground for the next generation of performers, and free and subsidized classes for schools are available.
The leadership team includes Founder, Executive Director, and Board President Emily Pinas Schakowsky; Director of Early Childhood Programming and Board Vice President Colin Funk; Board Secretary Allison Hendrix; Board Treasurer Jeremy Round; and Community Outreach Specialist and Board Member Sara Yaniga. Emily earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre from New York University’s Steinhardt School, attended the Summer Intensive at Circle in the Square Theatre School on Broadway, served as an apprentice at Williamstown Theatre Festival, earned her Equity card performing in Bitty Bear’s Matinee in New York, and earned a Master of Science in Child Development with a specialization in Infancy and Administration from Erikson Institute. Colin has worked as an actor and choreographer for professional shows throughout Chicago, has worked with companies like Metropolis, Towle, Kokandy, Porchlight, and many others, continues to sing in The Chicago Carolers and The Feathered Beaus and self-produced cabarets, produces a podcast called “Then, A Moment,” has gotten a master’s degree in childhood development from Erikson Institute with a focus in infancy, became a developmental therapist with a trauma-based care specialization, and works part time as an Infant Development Specialist at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. Allison’s career spans work as an actor, pianist, music director, director, and founding Artistic Director of Kokandy Productions, and she has taught and worked with students from infancy through college level, led education workshops in partnership with Broadway in Chicago, and holds a 500-hour advanced yoga certification and has been a practicing instructor since 2012. Jeremy studied film at Northwestern (class of 2002), completed his MBA at UCLA in 2009, is a serial entrepreneur, HR expert and business advisor, has owned and operated businesses in the home services sector, children’s enrichment, real estate and addiction treatment, and his HR expertise stems from his time as a leader in Yahoo’s People Team and his time at Cultivate Brands, where he is a partner.
Stages Chicago states a core value that representation and diversity matter and expresses a desire to celebrate and amplify diverse voices and stories. The program states a belief that arts experiences foster empathy in children which in turn builds more inclusive communities, and a belief in the magic of musical theatre and the ability of high quality arts experiences to inspire creativity, curiosity, and openness in children. Stages Chicago offers school-based programming through school partnerships and has led education workshops in partnership with Broadway in Chicago.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
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