Educational Programs

It’s All About the Kids

Educate – Enlighten – Entertain

Musical Theatre for Young Audiences Series

Since 1988, Actors’ Playhouse has created a vibrant community hub for children, families, and educators through its acclaimed professional Children’s Theatre performances. Every weekend, families gather, and on weekdays, school buses line up to fill the theater to capacity for engaging field trips.

As the first regional children’s theatre in Miami-Dade County, our productions feature professional adult actors alongside talented youth performers when specific roles call for it. Over the years, we have set a high standard for educational programming across the tri-county area, championing the talents of local actors.

In nearly four decades, our program has impacted over 2.5 million young people, delivering inspiring cultural experiences in a live theatre setting complete with lights, sound, sets, and costumes. In 2024-2025 395 schools participated in the field trips for Children’s Theatre productions and 20 schools for Mainstage programs.

Our shows are licensed and chosen based on the Sunshine State literary guidelines, often pairing the productions with literary works of the same title. Additionally, our National Children’s Theatre Festival program has commissioned new works. After each performance, the director and cast host a Q&A session, allowing young audiences to delve into the magic they witnessed on stage. We provide study guides for each production, featuring activities related to theatre etiquette, games, and reading materials pertinent to the show’s themes. Children gain a deeper sense of involvement through these experiences, learning valuable lessons about morality, problem-solving, adventure, tolerance, and confidence in life skills.

The weekend performances are priced affordably, while weekday field trips offer a 50% discount. We also provide 5,000 complimentary admissions to children’s theatre performances each year. Our professional actors are cast individually for each show, and their experiences often serve as steppingstones to future employment in the industry and roles in our Mainstage equity productions. Many alumni have gone on to shine in national theatres, on road tours, and even on Broadway.

Theatre Conservatory and Camp

Year-round educational programs for children and adults in musical theatre, theatre and film, stage and camera acting, and dance are offered at Actors’ Playhouse. Starting as early as age five, our classes are designed for growth based on age and ability, ensuring a robust foundation in the performing arts. Our spring and summer camps consistently reach capacity and offer options for both musical theatre and film experiences.  Four hundred individuals participated in the conservatory program in the current year.

For more advanced students, an audition-based Advanced Camp provides a month-long immersive experience culminating in a fully mounted Broadway production, showcased for family, friends, and the public. Competitive enrollment rates and scholarships are available for those in need, ensuring accessibility for all interested participants.

Musical Miracle Advance Performance Troupe

The Musical Miracles is a talented group of youth dedicated to honing their artistic skills under the guidance of veteran director Earl Maulding. Established in 1994 by a group of visionary parents, recognizing the intrinsic benefits for their children. Each year, 25 selected youth engage in a transformative nine-month experience, enhancing their skills and boosting their confidence in the performing arts.

The nine-month program begins with a musical revue presented to the public, and the group also participates in local festivals and community events. Ultimately, they produce a fully staged Broadway production for the public. Children ages 8-17 choose to join this group year after year, enriching their performance experience. Many alumni have gone on to gain admittance to prestigious colleges and universities with performing arts programs, thanks to their training in this exceptional theatre program.

Young Talent Big Dreams

Since 2009, Actors’ Playhouse has championed Young Talent Big Dreams—a partnership with the Children’s Trust—which is a free countywide talent contest for youth across multiple arts disciplines. This program is designed to develop self-confidence and provide opportunities for young performers. Modeled after popular TV talent competitions, preliminary auditions take place at various county facilities, judged by industry professionals. Winners from the preliminary rounds advance to the semi-finals, held on stage at the Miracle Theatre. The finalists then perform in the thrilling Grand Finals competition, live on stage for the public. Three hundred individuals participated in YTBD in the current year.

The arts disciplines include Broadway musical, jazz, original composition, band, spoken word, and instrumental music, with each category offering auditions for solo, duo, and group performances. First-place winners at the Finals receive cash scholarship rewards, opportunities to perform at public events, an individual video of their audition performance, and master class instruction from industry professionals in their category. Additionally, there is one Grand Prize Winner who receives a $500 cash reward along with other benefits. Many competitors have furthered their experience on TV talent shows, achieving high rankings on programs like So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, and America’s Got Talent. Winners have performed on Broadway, in Carnegie Hall, on Nickelodeon, in featured films, and have had their plays produced on a national level.

Special Needs and Sensory Friendly Productions and Training

The theatre offers exemplary opportunities for all youth by providing special performances tailored for children with special needs. Each production includes a separate performance designed specifically for youth and young adults with sensory needs. The production guidelines are adjusted with changes in lighting and sound effects, along with special introductions to the show’s characters. For those who require more space, the production is also streamed into quiet room areas where children can enjoy the show privately. Weekday performances are organized for special needs groups on separate production days or within scheduled performances. The theatre is ADA accessible, ensuring everyone can share in this enriching cultural experience. Additionally, individuals participate in regularly scheduled classes based on their abilities and interests. The theatre has partnered with FIU to provide internships in administration, allowing students to gain valuable experience for class credit and preparation for future employment.

Partnership with Miami Arts Studio

Actors’ Playhouse maintains a long-standing partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, especially with Miami Arts Studio (MAS). This collaboration integrates students into internships across all arts disciplines, including technical roles, direction, design, performance, and administration. With mentoring from the theatre’s professional team and onsite visits from the artistic and production staff, students gain a valuable learning experience in musical theatre as well as backstage craft. Whenever possible, talented students are offered cameo roles through auditions, further enhancing their practical experience.

Community Outreach

Actors’ Playhouse professional actors and talented youth participants engage in various community events and arts outreach initiatives, either through self-enrollment or invitation. This aspect of programming enriches the onsite theatre experience, as the organization believes that children gain the most benefit from live theatre by experiencing it in a true theatre setting.