The Stage School

The Stage School offers acting classes, dance classes, and singing classes, including drama, scene work, improvisation, imaginative play, performance, creative role play, and work with performance text. The program also offers after school classes and summer camps that include these activities. In The Company program, students rotate through a one hour acting class, a one hour singing class, and a one hour dance class, with dance classes focusing primarily on modern and jazz dance.

• Ages: 4–16 years old
• Schedule: Fall Term 2026 runs from September 12–November 14 for Saturday programs and from September 13–November 15 for Sunday programs, with The Company meeting every Saturday or Sunday in Park Ridge.
• Price: Tuition $495 (can be paid in four equal installments).

Classes and camps are taught by a staff of professional actors, musicians, and choreographers, and The Company program is taught by a team of professional actors, choreographers, musicians, and directors. By the third week of the term, all students are required to wear a Stage School t-shirt provided with enrollment and either jazz or ballet shoes. Children in The Company take a ten minute snack break between their second and third class and bring a light snack and a bottle of water each week.

The Stage School states that it is committed to developing each child’s full potential through drama, dance, and singing, and that its mission is to give each student a positive learning and performing experience. Its stated philosophy is to develop each child’s natural ability through acting, singing, and dance, with a goal of increasing each child’s confidence and allowing them to feel comfortable expressing themselves creatively. The program provides performance opportunities at the end of each term, including a showcase of student work on the last day of term, and summer camps for ages 4–16 culminate in a performance shared with families and friends. Students are divided into three groups based on age in The Company program, and every child gets the chance to shine.

The Stage School is in proud partnership with the Park Ridge Park District, and families register through the Park Ridge Park District. One parent of a 7 year-old student reports that having time to spend on dance, music, and drama and then integrating it into a performance has been a learning experience and confidence builder, and that their child looks forward to The Stage School each week. Another parent of a 12 year-old student describes the program as their child’s favorite three hours of the week and notes the experience and enthusiasm of the teachers, the organization of the program, and that the students get along very well.

Last updated May 24, 2026.