Did you know that many famous scholars credit performing arts, specifically acting, with their success later in life?  Gateway Academy offers something for the extroverts and introverts in your life. Whether your child has been singing and dancing around the house since they could walk or is terrified to step on stage, theatre classes instill valuable life skills at every level of experience.  Acting helps students put themselves in the shoes of a character and imagine another world. Key skills such as vocal projection, movement on stage, and building trust with their peers are crucial for success in all areas of life. Hone your child’s natural talents and build resiliency, creativity, and connection with peers from skilled educators.

If you have a child between the ages of 6-18 years old who is looking for a place to have fun, develop close friendships, and increase confidence, then Gateway Academy has just what you are looking for! Gateway Academy classes are organized into Acting or Musical Theatre, and further grouped by age and ability.

Acting

Combine imagination with technique! Acting is more than just stepping into character; integral life skills such as communication, ensemble work, vocal training, and storytelling are developed. Gain confidence as effective actors and communicators through exercises, improvisation, and scene work. Gateway Academy is offering three Acting classes for Fall 2025/2026: Acting A (ages 8 – 10), Acting for Stage and Film B (ages 11-13), and Acting for Stage and Film C (ages 14-18)

As children grow up, it is especially important to find outlets for creativity and teamwork as their workload intensifies. Gateway Academy offers special classes for ages 14-18 years old that not only develop integral acting skills but also provide an encouraging and welcoming space for teenagers to explore issues through the characters they portray onstage.

All Acting classes run from September 2025 to April 2026.

Musical Theatre

Sing, dance, act– do it all! Immerse yourself in the music, text, and choreography of a musical, while learning characterization and storytelling along the way. Working as an ensemble will help build the confidence and skills youth need to be triple-threat performers. Musical Theatre classes are available for ages 6-7 in half-year formats (September- December/ January – April), while classes for ages 8-10, 11-13 and 14-18 run from September – April. All full-year classes culminate in an In-Studio presentation.

New this year is Musical Theatre Skills for ages 11-18, with all levels of performance experience to build their performance toolbox. In Musical Theatre Skills, students will begin the year learning the essentials of musical theatre, such as ensemble-building and core skills to be a star on stage. In the second half of the year, students will learn, rehearse, and perform a short musical that highlights the skills they have learned throughout the year without the added production elements such as costumes or lighting.  This is a great opportunity to enhance current knowledge and stage performance skills whilst building confidence and experience in a low-pressure setting. Students enrolled in Musical Theatre Skills classes will also get a special sneak peek of Gateway’s special holiday musical before it opens to the public, and will enjoy various workshops and talks by industry professionals throughout the year.

These classes are popular and sell out fast!  Tap your way over to the registration page to make sure you don’t miss out on this exceptional program!

Financial Assistance: Gateway Academy believes in providing access to theatre arts training, regardless of financial means. Visit their website to learn about scholarship opportunities, and if you are a family experiencing temporary financial hardship, please apply to their Bursary Program.

Theatre Classes at Gateway Academy:

Dates: September – December, 2025 (Musical Theatre Intro)| September, 2025 – April, 2026 (all other classes)
Time: after school during the week; various times on the weekend
Venue: Gateway Theatre
Address: 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond
Phone: 604-270-1812
Website: www.gatewaytheatre.com/youth-academy