Youth & Teen Classes

Youth & Teen Classes at Shakespeare Theatre Company invite students ages 6 to 17 to explore Shakespeare through active, creative learning. Participants work with stories and characters from the plays, develop the fundamentals of acting and design, and contribute ideas to performances shared with friends and family. Classes are taught by professionally trained actors and educators, with an emphasis on physical, intellectual, and artistic growth.

The fall 2026 offerings include introductory classes for younger students, scene-study courses for teens, and a 10-week performance intensive centered on *The Tempest*. Each session concludes with a final sharing or performance for family and friends.

When: Fall 2026 sessions begin September 12 or October 31, depending on the class.

Schedule: Fall 1 six-week classes run on Saturday mornings or Monday afternoons from September 12 through October 26, 2026. The Teen Intensive runs for 10 weeks from September 12 through November 21, 2026. Fall 2 six-week classes run from October 31 through December 14, 2026.

Fall 1 Classes: *Spooky Shakespeare* for ages 6–11 meets Saturdays, September 12–October 24, from 10 a.m. to noon; there is no class October 10. A weekday section meets Mondays, September 14–October 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.; there is no class October 12. *Something Wicked: Playing Shakespeare’s Villains* for ages 12–17 meets Mondays, September 14–October 26, from 4 to 6 p.m., with no class October 12. The Teen Intensive: *The Tempest* for ages 13–17 meets Saturdays, September 12–November 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with no class October 10.

Fall 2 Classes: *Shakespeare’s Clowns and Fools* for ages 6–11 meets Saturdays, October 31–December 12, from 10 a.m. to noon, with no class November 28. *Revolutionary Shakespeare* for ages 12–17 meets Mondays, November 2–December 14, from 4 to 6 p.m., with no class November 23.

Tickets: Six-week classes cost $259. The 10-week Teen Intensive costs $550.

Spooky Shakespeare: Students ages 6–11 investigate witches, ghosts, fairies, and other magical Shakespearean figures through creative play, theater games, and art projects. The course builds confidence and performance skills and ends with a family sharing.

Something Wicked: Playing Shakespeare’s Villains: Students ages 12–17 explore Shakespeare’s most notorious antagonists through scene study, script analysis, and character work. They practice interpreting Shakespeare’s language, collaborating with a director and scene partner, and creating dynamic performances before presenting selected scenes.

Teen Intensive: The Tempest: Intended for dedicated teen actors ages 13–17, this performance-focused course covers the full theatrical process, including auditions, rehearsals, scene work, character development, text analysis, and ensemble collaboration. It culminates in a performance of *The Tempest* for friends and family.

Shakespeare’s Clowns and Fools: Students ages 6–11 explore comic characters from *As You Like It*, *Twelfth Night*, and *The Tempest* through games, creative play, storytelling, and art projects. The class develops foundational acting skills, confidence, and imagination before a final performance.

Revolutionary Shakespeare: Students ages 12–17 examine revolution, rebellion, and political ambition in *Julius Caesar*, *Richard II*, and *Coriolanus*. Through script analysis, character development, and scene study, they learn to interpret Shakespeare’s language, build believable characters, and collaborate on selected scenes for a final sharing.

Venues: Most classes meet at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Rehearsal Studios, 516 8th Street SE, Washington, DC. The Teen Intensive meets at The Forum at Harman Hall, 610 F Street NW.

Discounts: Registered siblings receive 10% off. Discount questions can be directed to Classes@ShakespeareTheatre.org.

Scholarships: Need-based scholarships are available. Applicants should complete the scholarship application and email it to Classes@ShakespeareTheatre.org at least one week before the class begins.

Inclusion: STC describes its youth and teen classes as safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces for participants of all abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, national origins, citizenships, faiths, ideologies, and income levels.

Refund Policy: No refunds or exchanges are provided when a participant cannot attend, including because of weather. If STC cancels a class, the organization will email registrants and try to reschedule it, but tuition remains non-refundable. A written withdrawal request sent to Classes@ShakespeareTheatre.org can receive a 50% refund until one week before the first scheduled class. Beginning one week before that class, tuition is non-refundable; processing refunds may take two to three weeks.

Registration: Registration and availability are provided through Shakespeare Theatre Company’s class listing. Questions should be sent to Classes@ShakespeareTheatre.org.