Charleston Stage has one of the oldest and largest arts education programs for young people in the region. Led by Rylee Coppel, Director of Education and Engagement, and by Colin Waters, Education Program Manager, Charleston Stage's TheatreSchool classes are taught by nine full-time professional actors who make up Charleston Stage’s Professional Resident Acting Company. These professional actors/educators introduce young people to the exciting world of the theatre. Students explore the craft of acting and learn the discipline of performing, as they develop their own unique creative voices. The goal of Charleston Stage’s acting classes is to provide young people with performance and creative thinking skills that will serve them in whatever profession they one day choose. Students develop poise, movement, speaking, and acting skills as they explore improvisation, theatre games, character development and the many skills of professional actors.
Questions About Classes? Please Contact Our Education Offices at 843.225.3900 or Email RYLEE COPPEL, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION and engagement, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
all classes take place at our west ashley theatre center:
West Ashley Theatre Center
Ashley Landing
1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite 11
Charleston, SC 29407
Education Office: 843.225.3900
***CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS***
***Students' health and safety IS our first priority:
- We are currently not requiring masks for staff or students. If there is a spike in cases they may be added. Parents will be emailed if this policy is changed. Some teachers and students may choose to wear a mask and that is certainly welcome.
- The lobby will not be available as a waiting area for parents, etc. Only students enrolled in classes will be allowed in the building.
- Pick up and drop off will be in the car pool line in front of the building so families may remain in their vehicle. Students will be escorted to and from their vehicles by staff.
For Questions About Tuition Assistance, Please Contact rylee coppel, director of EDUCATION and engagement, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
we are thrilled to announce we are partnering with our friends at dance lab charleston on their summer dance class programming for youth and adults! Click here for Details!
WEEKLY SUMMER CAMP schedule - SUMMER registration IS NOW OPEN For Grades K5 - 8 (Rising grades for the 2023-2024 school year).
*** final tuition is due at registration. No refunds. ***
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 1 (JUNE 12 - 16)
9am-12pm: Camp Bluey (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
Join Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, Chili and the rest of the crew in the Ultimate Bluey Adventure. Students will explore all things Bluey in this camp. By the end of the week, students will have created their own story for Bluey and the crew to embark on in their end-of-the-week performance.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
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list
9am-12pm: Clue: An Immersive Experience (Grades 6th-8th - Acting)
It was Mrs. Peacock, with the rope, in the Kitchen. Or was it? Do you have what it takes to be the next undercover detective? Break out your magnifying glass and join us as we explore the characters, scene work, and improv that typically goes into mysteries. Students will work on creating an immersive mystery performance for the audience to enjoy and solve at the end of the week. This camp is for 6th-8th grade students.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
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list
1pm-4pm: Movie Musicals! (Grades 6th-8th - Musical Theatre)
Lights, Camera, Singing and Dancing? With a rise in popularity among movie musicals recently, this class will explore music/choreography/scene work from movie musicals of the past decade. Students will learn firsthand what makes these movies so successful. Meet us at the end of the week for a movie musical extravaganza!
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 2 (JUNE 19 - 23)
9am-12pm: Mermaids and Pirates (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
Every day is a treasure hunt! Students will learn about theatre and complete tasks/games that will unlock new hints for them each day to show them where to find the buried treasure, building their own story and fun characters along the way. Join us on the final day to see a performance from your favorite mermaids and pirates.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
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list
9am-12pm: Movie Musicals (Grades 3rd-5th - Musical Theatre)
Lights, Camera, Singing and Dancing? With a rise in popularity among movie musicals recently, this class will explore music/choreography/scene work from movie musicals of the past decade. Students will learn firsthand what makes these movies so successful. Meet us at the end of the week for a movie musical extravaganza!
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 3 (JUNE 26 - 30)
9am-12pm: When You’re an Addams (Grades 6th-8th - Musical Theatre)
They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious, and spooky, they’re all together ooky, the Addams Family. With the popularity surrounding the new tv show “Wednesday,” get ready to explore the extremely eccentric Addams Family. Students will learn music and choreography, that they will perform at the end of the week, from all things Addams Family, including sections from The Addams Family Musical.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
Register
NOW
9am-12pm: From Page to Stage (Grades 3rd-5th - Acting)
Get ready to enter the world of some of your favorite books. From Page to Stage allows students to use their voice, body and imagination to bring some of their favorite book characters to life by adapting their favorite stories to the stage. Students will end the week with a performance for family and friends.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 4 (JULY 10 - 14)
9am-12pm: Camp Matilda! (Grades 3rd-5th - Musical Theatre)
We are revolting children! If you loved the new Matilda Movie Musical, then this is the camp for you. Students will spend the week learning excerpts of music, choreography, and scenes from Matilda along with exploring characters and stories from Roald Dahl. We will close the week with our own Matilda inspired performance.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
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list
9am-12pm: Acting for the Camera (Grades 6th-8th - Acting)
Have you ever wondered what it is like to act for the camera? This camp focuses on different styles of tv/film/commercial acting. Students will get a chance to look at scenes from popular film and television and put their own spin on recreating them. This camp will have an exciting Acting for the Camera showcase at the end of the week.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
WAIT
LIST
1pm-4pm: Clue: An Immersive Experience (Grades 3rd-5th - Acting)
It was Mrs. Peacock, with the rope, in the Kitchen. Or was it? Do you have what it takes to be the next undercover detective? Break out your magnifying glass and join us as we explore the characters, scene work, and improv that typically goes into mysteries. Students will work on creating an immersive mystery performance for the audience to enjoy and solve at the end of the week. This camp is for 3rd-5th Grade students.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
wait
list
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 5 (JULY 17 - 21)
9am-12pm: The Pigeon and Friends: Mo Willems (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
The Pigeon, Elephant and Pig and more Mo Willems friends have arrived for a fun week of camp. Students will use their actor tools to help bring some of the Mo Willems characters to life. This camp will include some music and choreography with an end of the week performance.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
9am-12pm: Over the Moon (Grades 3rd-5th - Musical Theatre)
Calling all young astronauts: We have a new camp flying in- Over the Moon. In this musical theatre camp, we will explore all things outer space. Students will learn songs and scenes related to the solar system and prepare it for a final day performance. Get ready to travel to a brand-new world!
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
1pm-4pm: Disney Jr. (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
In our Disney Jr. Camp, students will get the chance to visit the music and characters of some of their favorite Disney Jr. Shows. We will use our character-building skills to recreate characters and create new stories from Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Doc McStuffins, Puppy Dog Pals, Vampirina and more. This camp ends with a final day performance.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 6 (JULY 24 - 28)
9am-12pm: Spidey and Friends! (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
Have you ever wanted to become your favorite Marvel hero or villain? How about create your own Marvel Character? In this Marvel-inspired camp, students will have the chance to (re)create their own Marvel Character and perform in a final day showcase they have created. This camp is for ages K5-2nd Grade.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
9am-12pm: Camp Matilda! (Grades 3rd-5th - Musical Theatre)
We are revolting children! If you loved the new Matilda Movie Musical, then this is the camp for you. Students will spend the week learning excerpts of music, choreography, and scenes from Matilda along with exploring characters and stories from Roald Dahl. We will close the week with our own Matilda inspired performance.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
Wait
list
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 7 (JULY 31 - AUGUST 4)
9am-12pm: Broadway Mania (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
There’s no Business like Show Business! Kids will learn about the award-winning shows that have graced Broadway stages over the past few years. This camp will explore the current trends for what makes the next Broadway hit- the music, the acting, the choreography. By the end of the week, these students will prepare a performance fit for the stage! This Camp is for ages K5-2nd Grade.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
wait
list
9am-12pm: Broadway Mania (Grades 3rd-5th - Musical Theatre)
There’s no Business like Show Business! Kids will learn about the award-winning shows that have graced Broadway stages over the past few years. This camp will explore the current trends for what makes the next Broadway hit- the music, the acting, the choreography. By the end of the week, these students will prepare a performance fit for the stage! This camp is for ages 3rd-5th Grade.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
WAIT
LIST
1pm-4pm: Broadway Mania (Grades 6th-8th - Musical Theatre)
There’s no Business like Show Business! Kids will learn about the award-winning shows that have graced Broadway stages over the past few years. This camp will explore the current trends for what makes the next Broadway hit- the music, the acting, the choreography. By the end of the week, these students will prepare a performance fit for the stage! This camp is for ages 6th-8th Grade.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
wait
list
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
SUMMER CAMP WEEK 8 (AUGUST 7 - 11)
9am-12pm: Once Upon a Time (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
Once Upon a Time camp visits some of our favorite fairytales. These classic stories might get their own twist as students build original or pre-existing fairytale characters to form the ultimate Once Upon a Time This camp ends with a final showcase.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
9am-12pm: Living in the Marvel Universe (Grades 6th-8th - Acting)
Have you ever wanted to become your favorite Marvel hero or villain? How about create your own Marvel Character? In this Marvel-inspired camp, students will have the chance to (re)create their own Marvel Character and perform in a final day showcase they have created. This camp is for ages 6th-8th Grade.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
1pm-4pm: Animal Friends (Grades K5-2nd - Musical Theatre)
Animal Friends is the perfect camp for all our animal lovers. We will use our voice, body, and imagination to bring some of our favorite animals to life. Along with our developing acting skills, we will learn some music and choreography from some of our favorite animal songs. This camp ends with a final day showcase to show off our wonderful animal characters.
Tuition: $250
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
12pm-1pm: LUNCH BUNCH (ALL GRADES)
Lunch Bunch is a supervised lunch filled with games and crafts. You must provide your own Drinks/Foods for lunch. This session is available for all age ranges and is intended for any student that is staying for both morning and afternoon sessions OR for families that need a little extra time for a later pickup or an earlier drop off.
Tuition: $75
Full Tuition Due at Registration. NO REFUNDS.
register
NOW
PERFORMANCE TROUPES
PERFORMANCE TROUPES are weekly classes for advanced students and admittance is by audition only. Auditions are held once a year. Students in Performance Troupe train in acting and singing weekly with movement included as needed. They are the only students (younger than high school) permitted to audition for Charleston Stage professional productions.
TUITION: $700 for Classes August 2023 - April 2024
Auditions for our 2023-2024 Performance Troupe are now closed. Auditions for our 2024-2025 Performance Troupe will be posted in Spring of 2024.