Youth Programs
Partner with McCarter Theatre Center to bring creative, collaborative, and engaging performing arts workshops to your organization.
Our professional teaching artists work with community groups to design impactful, student-centered programs that bring the joy of theatre directly into your space. Each workshop is flexible and customizable, created to spark imagination, confidence, and discovery in every participant.
Programs can be mixed and matched, tailored to any age group from 5 to 17, and can even include a performance or showcase at the end. Whether your students are exploring Shakespeare, creating original plays, or diving into musical theatre, our goal is to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster collaboration. Interested in another type of theatre workshop? Let us know and we will be happy to design one for you.
We look forward to partnering with you to create your perfect youth theatre program.
Contact:
education@mccarter.org
Pricing: Program rates start at $150 per instructional hour, with subsidized rates available for qualifying groups. Contact us for a full quote
Shakesperience
Shakespeare workshops (Ages 9 and up) bring the magic of The Bard to life! Guided by professional teaching artists, participants explore the language, characters, themes, and history of Shakespeare’s timeless plays in a fun, accessible way. Through active exploration and scene work, they build confidence, practice teamwork, and discover why these stories still resonate today.
Skills Developed: Language arts, Confidence, Teamwork, Self-expression, Public speaking
Improv
McCarter Theatre Center’s interactive improv workshops help students practice essential life skills, including collaboration, active listening, quick thinking, and creative problem-solving. These engaging sessions foster social-emotional learning and effective communication, equipping students with essential skills. Residencies can conclude with an optional final sharing.
Skills Developed: Collaboration, Confidence, Active listening, Public speaking, Decision-making, Quick thinking, Adaptability
Playwriting & Playmaking
Play-MAKING (Ages 5–12) introduces young children to the joy of storytelling and performance. Guided by a professional teaching artist, participants use imagination and play to step into different characters, explore themes, and create their own original mini-plays. Along the way, they strengthen communication skills, build confidence, and practice teamwork — all in a safe, supportive environment. This program encourages creativity and collaboration while giving children a fun and meaningful way to express themselves.
Play-WRITING (Ages 13 and up) empowers and engages students as playwrights. With the support of a teaching artist, participants learn the building blocks of drama, including character, dialogue, and plot, and work together to write original plays around a chosen theme. The program develops creative writing, critical thinking, and collaboration skills, and can culminate in a staged reading or performance.
Skills Developed: Creative writing, Language arts, Collaboration, Creative problem-solving, Confidence, Public speaking
Musical Theatre
Musical Theatre (Ages 7 and up) brings the magic of the stage to your community! Participants explore acting, singing, and dance — the three essential elements of musical theatre — while working with a professional teaching artist. Together, they dive into the themes, history, and characters of a selected musical, bringing a scene and song to life. This residency fosters confidence, teamwork, and performance skills, and can culminate in an informal sharing for family, friends, or the community.
Residency Length: Minimum 5 sessions
Skills Developed: Confidence, Self-expression, Interpreting text, Collaboration, Social connection, Public speaking
McCarter Teaching Artists
McCarter’s teaching artists are accomplished professional actors, directors, choreographers, musicians, and visual artists. In addition to their artistic expertise, they are highly skilled in delivering exceptional arts education to students of all ages. Every McCarter teaching artist completes our curricular training process and undergoes a full criminal background check, ensuring both quality instruction and a safe, supportive learning environment.