Our Programming
We engage students and communities through a range of educational and performance-based initiatives, organized into the following program areas:
Lessons (K–12)
Standards-aligned, age-specific, activity-based lesson plans designed by arts education professionals. Delivered in person by First Act-trained educators in active branch regions, with digital course offerings in development for areas without a local branch. Lessons are always provided free of charge to schools and students.
Camps (K–12)
Free holiday camps during school breaks, typically one to two weeks long, with full-day and half-day options. Camps include lessons, masterclasses with professionals, and the production of a small-scale show, culminating in a public performance for families and the community.
Student Productions (K–Col.)
Partnerships with schools and institutions to mount student productions of plays and musicals. First Act provides directors, choreographers, music directors, and technical staff. Productions run on a semester schedule with weekly rehearsals and public performances.
Professional Productions (All)
High-quality professional productions brought directly to students at no cost, providing the invaluable experience of seeing live theatre.
TYA's (K-5)
TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) productions designed and presented to introduce elementary age students to the magic of theatre. We write and produce our own as well as partnering with local theatres to present theirs. We then bring these shows directly to students' schools, often accompanied by interactive workshops.
Plus...
Student Tickets (All Ages) - Partnerships with local theatres to provide free tickets for students to attend performances in their communities.
Scholarships (All Ages) - Free participation for students in third-party performing arts programs through partner organizations.
Grants (Organizations) - Occasional grants of up to several thousand dollars to support school arts programs and institutions aligned with our mission.
