Skyline Children's Theater is a company that connects with park districts, schools, dance studios, and theaters to host our programming. Summer 2023 you can find us in Barrington Park District, Glenview Park District, Lake Zurich (at Denise Sabala Dance Studio), Mundelein, Wilmette, Winnetka at Community House, Vernon Hills (at Discovery Day Camp). We also have programming in the city of Chicago in Andersonville, Lincoln Park, and Ravenswood. Fall 2023 we also will be returning to Kenilworth, Northfield, Wilmette D39 schools, Skokie at Hillel Torah school, and Lakeview at Burley Elementary.

We host our program as an after-school rehearsal at schools all around the Chicagoland area. Previous schools we've had residencies at include Wilmette District 39 schools: Central Elementary, Harper Elementary, McKenzie Elementary, Romona Elementary, Highcrest Middle School, Wilmette Junior High School; Chicago Public Schools: Burley Elementary; Private schools; Hillel Torah in Skokie, Sacred Heart, St. John's in Lincoln Park, Goddard Schools, and more. If you'd like to get an after-school or during-school program started at your institution, email skylinechicago@gmail.com with the subject line "School Residency" and include your location, contact information, and preferred start date. We'd love to start the conversation and bring theater education to your academy! Learn more on our Skyline After School page.

First, locate your closest program by looking at the menu at the top of our site. Next, click that link to find enrollment links. Sometimes, they will read "coming soon," which just means they are under construction and will be live soon! To not miss out on enrollment announcements, make sure to subscribe to our email list.

Cancellations prior to the beginning of session: Patrons can receive a refund or credit. Cancellations after the first class: No refunds or credits will be provided. In the case that state and local guidelines change to the point that we can no longer meet in person, there will be no refunds provided. We will continue classes virtually.

No! Skyline auditions are nothing to stress about. What actors should expect on “audition day” (the first day of class) is to move through a dance, song, and line reading so directors can get to know them and match their talents with a great role in the show. No outside preparation (and no prior audition experience) is necessary! Our directors walk the cast through a very low-stress audition process of learning a dance together, learning a song together which they will sing in small groups, and then reading lines for characters that most excite them. At class 2, all actors will be given a named character and script.

Our directors are great at supporting emerging readers in learning their lines. During auditions, we will use call and response to get an idea of the young actor’s ability to project and create a character. We will do the same in class until the actor has their lines memorized. While all actors should bring their script to every rehearsal, we do recommend that emerging readers work with their families to memorize their lines as soon as possible, so they can really have fun exploring their characters on stage!

Actors will warm up with theater games or a dance, then move into learning the day’s scheduled scenes, songs, and dances. At the end of rehearsal they will review material from the previous week (in order of show) to prepare for the final performance.

All actors should wear clothes allowing a full range of motion and dance friendly shoes (sneakers or jazz shoes to change into). Flip flops/sandals/snow boots are not going to allow actors to do their best footwork! All actors should bring a reusable water bottle since we sing and dance for 1-2 hours. We also ask that actors bring a three-ring binder for their script and a pencil to make notes starting the second week of rehearsal. Families will be provided with instructions for assembling a costume at home for the final show.

Pick up and drop off procedures differ based on class/camp location and age of the cast. If you have questions about the process at your location please reach out to your education director (Kiki at Community House Winnetka (skylinewinnetka@gmail.com), Kristen at all other suburban locations (skylinechicago@gmail.com), or Mary at Chicago locations (skylinestudioschi@gmail.com).) We request that parents be timely in pickup at the end of class. Late pickups without notification will receive a warning the first occurrence, with a charge of $1/minute late for any following occurrences.

Details on venue, performance time, and ticketing will be shared via email later in the session. Actors will be asked to arrive early the day of the show for the dress rehearsal. Information on costumes will be sent out about halfway through the session. Families are asked to create a costume (based on suggestions provided by Skyline) that actors are proud and comfortable to perform in.

Skyline rehearsals are CLOSED REHEARSALS - We do not allow parents, siblings, or anyone that is not a member of cast or staff to be in the space. Personal belongings brought in will be limited to only a water bottle, face mask (if actor chooses), and printed script/pencil. All valuable items should be left at home. Skyline is not responsible for lost or stolen items If actors or staff have any symptoms of illness, they must stay home. In the ever changing public health climate, Skyline Children's Theater will follow the protocols and guidelines outlined by our partner locations.