SUBURBAN
CLASSES + CAMPS
Skyline, together with an array of park districts, schools, community centers, and dance studios across the North Shore and Lake County suburbs, brings the magic of theater education to every corner of Chicagoland. Currently you can find Skyline in Barrington, Kenilworth, Lake Zurich, Glenview, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette, Winnetka, and Vernon Hills.
All suburban summer camps are enrolling now! See below for current offerings and locations.
Fall registration...coming soon!
FALL 2023
FOR TOTS (AGE 3-5) &
JUNIORS (AGE 5-7)
FOR STARS (AGE 7-12) & PERFORMERS (AGE 11-14)
WILMETTE
Started Sep 20
Fall classes will also take place at D39 schools:
Romona School - 3rd & 4th grade
McKenzie School - 3rd & 4th grade
Harper School - 3rd & 4th grade
Central School - Tuesdays 3rd grade, Thursdays 4th grade
Highcrest School - 5th & 6th
Enroll with your school's PTA to join Skyline after school!
Learn more about Skyline in schools
COMMUNITY HOUSE WINNETKA
Finding Nemo Jr. Tots (age 3-5)
Wednesdays 4:00-4:45pm 9/6-12/6
no classes: 11/1, 11/22 show: 12/6
Thursdays 3:00-3:45pm 9/7-12/7
no classes: 11/2, 11/23 show: 12/7
Finding Nemo Jr. Juniors (age 5-7)
Wednesdays 4:45-5:45pm 9/6-11/29
no classes: 11/1, 11/22 show: 12/10
Thursdays 4:00-5:00pm 9/7-11/30
no classes: 11/2, 11/23 show: 12/9
Audition Workshop Stars & Performers
10:00am-12:00pm 8/26
Matilda Jr. Stars (age 7-12)
Mondays 4:00-6:00pm 8/28-12/4
no classes: 9/4, 9/25, 10/30, 11/20 show: 12/4-12/12
Fridays 4:00-6:00pm 9/8-12/1
no classes: 11/3, 11/24 show: 12/4-12/12
Matilda Jr. Performers (age 11-14)
Mondays 6:00-7:30pm 8/28-12/4
no classes: 9/4, 9/25, 10/30, 11/20 show: 12/4
All rehearsals and performances will take place at Community House Winnetka. All performances will be in Matz Hall.
Audition Workshop Juniors
12:15-1:15pm 8/26
GLENVIEW PARK DISTRICT
Finding Nemo Jr. Juniors (age 5-7)
Tuesdays 4:00-5:00pm 9/12-11/28
no classes: 10/31, show: 11/28 and 11/29
Matilda Jr. Stars (age 7-12)
Tuesdays 5:15-7:15pm 9/12-11/28
no classes: 10/31, show: 11/28 and 11/29
All rehearsals and performances are held in the Lakeview room at the Glenview Park Center.
BARRINGTON PARK DISTRICT
Finding Nemo Jr. Tots (age 3-5)
Wednesdays 3:15-4pm 8/23- 11/8 show: 11/8
Finding Nemo Jr. Juniors (age 5-7)
Wednesdays 4:10-5:10pm 8/23-11/8 show: 11/8
Matilda Jr. Stars (age 7-12)
Wednesdays 5:15-7:15pm 8/23-11/8 show: 11/8
All rehearsals and performances are held in the Sullivan room at Barrington Park District.
DENISE SABALA DANCE
IN LAKE ZURICH
Finding Nemo Jr. Juniors (age 5-7)
Saturdays 9:00-10:00am 8/26-11/4 show: TBD
Matilda Jr. Stars (age 7-12)
Fridays 4:00-6:00pm 8/25-11/3 show: TBD
Saturdays 10:15am-12:15pm 8/26-11/4 show: TBD
All rehearsals are held at Denise Sabala Dance Studio. Performances held in Barrington Park District's Sullivan Room.
COMING SOON: FALL 2023
You voted, we listened! Join for fiin-tastic fun with Finding Nemo Jr. for Tots ages 3-5 and Juniors ages 5-7, or magical moments with Matilda Jr. for Stars ages 7-12 and Performers ages 11-14.
CLASS LEVELS
Skyline's Broadway Stars is a no-cut program designed for actors age 7-12. Sing, dance, act, and embark on an unforgettable journey to bring the magic of a popular musical to life onstage.
Guided by a professional teaching artist, Stars level up by singing solos, developing character, and learning fundamental musical theatre choreography. From the moment auditions kick off on the first day, Stars feel the rush of anticipation as they showcase their talents. Every actor who participates is assigned a named role, and receives a script and rehearsal materials.
Families will receive detailed instructions on how to assemble an original costume, adding the perfect finishing touch to the show. The stage is set, and the spotlight awaits.
STARS AGES 7-12
Skyline's Broadway Juniors is an encouraging introductory musical theatre experience designed for actors age 5-7. Sing, dance, act, and embark on an unforgettable journey to bring the magic of a popular musical to life onstage.
Guided by a professional teaching artist, Juniors receive a named role, participate in every scene and song, and gain the courage to perform in front of a live audience. Juniors actors enhance their reading skills as they memorize and recite their lines while bringing their characters to life.
Families will receive detailed instructions on how to assemble an original costume, adding the perfect finishing touch to the show. Join Skyline's Broadway Juniors, where imaginations soar and young actors develop a passion for performing arts.
JUNIORS AGES 5-7
Skyline's Broadway Performers is a no-cut program designed for middle school actors. Performers will be challenged by a professional teaching artist, and level up by learning advanced performance skills such as solo vocal technique, sophisticated character development, complex blocking, and challenging musical theatre choreography.
From the moment auditions kick off on the first day, Performers feel the rush of anticipation as they showcase their talents. Every actor who participates is assigned a named role, and receives a script and rehearsal materials.
Families will receive detailed instructions on how to assemble an original costume, adding the perfect finishing touch to the show. The final performance is a unique celebration of talent and teamwork that creates a core memory for actors and families alike.
PERFORMERS AGES 11-14
Skyline's Broadway Tots is a magical journey into the world of musical theater designed especially for pre-K actors. With the help of a professional teaching artist, Tots actors learn creative movement to five awesome songs from a popular musical. Rehearsals are a play-based adventure that spark an early love for theater arts.
All Tots sessions lead up to a final performance where actors are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from the show. Families will be provided with instructions for how to assemble a costume a few weeks prior to the show.
Gather your enthusiasm, bring your imagination, and make incredible memories!
TOTS AGES 3-5
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Where are you located?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.
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How do I get Skyline at our school?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!
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How do I enroll my child in your programs?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.
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What is your refund policy?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.
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Does my child need to prepare anything for auditions?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.
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My child hasn't learned how to read yet. What does this mean if they have to read lines?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!
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What does a typical rehearsal look like?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.
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What does my actor need to wear/bring?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.
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What will pick up and drop off look like?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.
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What can we expect at the final performance?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.
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What are Skyline’s safety protocols?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.