Do you want your creative kids to have fun while staying busy indoors in the Winter-Spring months? Then, look no further than Great Big Theatre Company (GBTC) dramatic arts classes! In locations across the GTHA and Southwest Ontario — from London, all the way to Whitby — GBTC’s Theatre Arts Program teaches acting, drama and theatre arts for young people throughout the school year.
Ideal for students aged 6-13, these performance-oriented theatre programs run in twelve-week sessions, either on weekdays or Saturdays. Classes include plays, mime, improvisation, theatre games, musical theatre, and work with simple sets and costumes. In selected programs, they also offer specializations such as storytelling, mask-making, rap, comedy, stage combat and video. Then, at the end of each class, the kids get to show off for parents all they have worked on and learned that week!
Boredom is never an issue at GBTC because their programs cover new, challenging content every season! Instead, the students benefit from participating in a dynamic environment focused on keeping lessons flexible, engaging, and relevant to the interests of today’s youth. Each session furthers the participants’ personal growth, imagination and creativity. Furthermore, each weekly class is a self-contained experience, so they deliver a challenging new activity each time.
Plus, new this year, various locations welcome visiting guest artists and specialists to bring their expertise directly to the students. The kids get hands-on feedback in areas including mime, stage combat, costume design and improvisation. Even better, GBTC strives to keep their fees low so their programs continue to be as affordable for as many families as possible!
Brilliant Kids Can Join In The Fun At GBTC’s Winter 2026/Spring 2027 Theatre Arts Program!
Each and every child can benefit from drama training. Arts training can teach personal skills as varied as imagination and empathy, cooperation and communication, emotional stability, and of course, the ability to have fun! Because students are able to fully express themselves, it’s perfect for kids who love to sing, dance, pretend, and create art. Most importantly, the participants support each other and, in turn, feel supported themselves.
Each Great Big Theatre Company program provides a graduated approach to developing confidence in young actors and performers. The enthusiastic staff, made up of young theatre/film school students and recent GBTC graduates, creates a positive environment so both kids and teens can really get their creative juices flowing!
Level 1: Let’s Act and Sing! — Ages 6 to 8
In the junior level program, young students aged 6-8 enjoy a fun one-hour introduction to the dramatic arts. Participants learn to develop some basic drama and self-presentation skills through voice, movement, simple songs and choreography. There are also traditional stories, vocal and improvisation exercises, theatre games, and costume elements in the lessons. Then, at the end of each class, there is a rewarding 10-minute presentation for parents and friends.
Activities include:
- Storytelling — Children learn to think creatively, empathize and gain an understanding of others. Experienced coaches guide them to express feelings through drama and explore their imagination.
- Role-playing — Students work on acting out short plays and stories, based on diverse and age-appropriate themes.
- Movement and Music — Students learn short movement routines set to music, which help develop physical coordination and listening skills.
- Vocal exercises and Song — Students gain in overall personal confidence by learning to speak with clarity, which also contributes to their public speaking and leadership skills.
Level 2: Acting Up! — Ages 9 to 13
In the intermediate level, young artists aged 9-13 continue to develop their dramatic skills through scripted and unscripted work. They also participate in playwriting, improvisation, blocking and stage presentation, character development, and the basics of musical theatre.
Level 2 classes are 1-1/2 hours long and are a great way for older participants to express their creative side, make new friends, and have plenty of fun! Lessons not only develop the kids’ interpersonal skills, but they also get involved in the cooperative process of creating art. Their creative skills get a workout too, because they make creative choices in each class through rehearsing and performing.
Throughout the classes, everyone joins in the excitement, working towards the goal of sharing their efforts with an audience. Students get the chance to present what they have learned to an audience of parents and friends every week, at the end of each class.
Activities include:
- Producing and Performing a Play — Students form strategy and problem-solving skills through active involvement in scripted plays and dramatic scenes.
- Role play and Characterization — Through the use of such tools as tableaux, positioning, stage blocking, direction and vocalizing, the students develop stage presence. Further lessons include improvisation, reader’s theatre and musical theatre.
- Technical Terms — Students learn theatrical terms necessary to communicate ideas in a dramatic context.
- Movement — Participants learn dance routines and freestyle improvisations set to music.
- Vocal exercises and Song — The young artists express their vocal spontaneity and clarity through song, such as choral pieces and vocal exercises.
Each location’s class size is limited to only 14 participants, so register early to reserve your place here!
Great Big Theatre Company Winter/Spring Classes
Date: January 2027 to April 2027
Venue: Locations in Brampton, Burlington, Cambridge, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton (2 locations), London, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Richmond Hill, St. Catharines, Toronto (3 locations), Waterloo, Whitby
Website: www.gbtc.com
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