How to Find the Right DCPA Education Class for You

Have you always wanted to try acting? Are you looking for a creative outlet for your child? Maybe you’re preparing for auditions, hoping to sharpen your communication skills, or simply searching for a fun way to meet new people and try something new.

Whatever brings you through the door, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ Education department offers acting classes for every age and experience level, from kindergarten students discovering the magic of storytelling to adults pursuing advanced actor training. With fall, winter, and spring classes currently on sale, plus summer camps and classes offered annually, there are opportunities to learn, create, and connect throughout the year.

The best part? You don’t need professional aspirations to belong here. Many students enroll simply because they want to have fun, build confidence, challenge themselves, or explore a lifelong interest in theatre. Others are working toward auditions, college programs, or professional careers. There’s room for everyone.

For Children: Building Confidence Through Creativity

Theatre classes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade focus on imagination, storytelling, collaboration, and self-expression. Along the way, students develop valuable life skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, creativity, and teamwork in a safe, supportive environment.

Classes are designed specifically for each age group and may explore acting, musical theatre, improv, character creation, movement, and story-based adventures inspired by literature, theater, and popular themes that resonate with young learners.

For many families, these classes provide a child’s first experience performing in front of others while building confidence that extends far beyond the stage.

For Teens: Developing Skills and Finding Community

Teen classes are designed for students in grades 6-12 and balance artistic training with creative exploration. Students learn acting fundamentals, character development, stage presence, and collaboration while connecting with peers who share their interests.

Whether a student is interested in acting technique, improv, musical theatre, audition preparation, or more advanced actor training, DCPA Education offers pathways that support a variety of goals and experience levels. For some, theatre becomes a serious pursuit. For others, it’s a place to make friends, build confidence, and express themselves creatively.

New to Theatre? Start Here.

One of the most exciting features of DCPA Education’s adult programming is its clear pathway for beginners. If you’ve never taken an acting class before, you’re not alone.

Adult offerings are specifically designed for people taking their first step into theatre and include introductory classes in acting, improv, voice over, and acting on camera.

These courses introduce the fundamentals in a welcoming environment where curiosity is encouraged and experience is not required. Whether your goal is personal growth, creative expression, confidence-building, or simply trying something new, introductory classes provide an accessible place to begin.

Ready to Go Further? Follow the Core Acting Track.

For adults who want more structured training, DCPA Education has developed a Core Acting Track that allows students to build skills progressively over time.

The pathway includes scene study levels 1-3, advanced scene study, master classes, and performance projects.

As students progress, they explore script analysis, scene work, character development, objectives and actions, playwrights, styles, and rehearsal techniques. The track serves serious hobbyists, lifelong learners, and working actors alike.

Explore Specialty Training

Not every student wants a traditional acting class.

DCPA Education also offers specialty classes and workshops throughout the year that allow students to focus on specific skills and interests. Depending on the season, offerings may include improvisation, acting on camera, audition technique, voice and speech, script analysis, stage combat, directing, playwriting, dialect work, choreography, and more.

Some students use specialty classes to complement their acting training, while others enroll simply because a particular subject sparks their curiosity. Plus, one- and two-day workshops provide an option for those low on time but high in interest to explore specific topics to expand their skills.

Looking for Personalized Instruction?

Group classes aren’t the only option.

DCPA Education also offers private coaching for students seeking individualized support and guidance. Coaching can be customized around personal goals, whether that’s preparing for auditions, strengthening acting technique, building confidence, developing a performance piece, or receiving one-on-one feedback from a professional teaching artist.

For students who thrive with personalized attention, private coaching can be an excellent complement to group classes or a starting point of its own.

Not Sure Where to Start?

A simple guide:

• Kindergarten-5th Grade: Children’s classes
• Grades 6-12: Teen acting, musical theatre, improv, and advanced training
• Adults New to Theatre: Introductory classes
• Experienced Adult Actors: Core Acting Track and Advanced Study
• Looking for a Specific Skill: Specialty classes and workshops
• Seeking Personalized Training: Private coaching

Whether you’re taking the stage for the first time or returning to a craft you love, DCPA Education offers a place to learn, grow, and have fun. After all, theatre isn’t just about performance. It’s about creativity, confidence, connection, and discovering something new about yourself along the way.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) NewsCenter is the organization’s editorial platform for stories, announcements, interviews, and coverage of theatre and cultural programming in Colorado. We are committed to producing accurate, trustworthy, clearly sourced journalism that reflects our mission and serves our community. This summary used AI to optimize search results and structure; newsroom reviewed.