Wheelock Family Theatre
Wheelock College; Boston Campus, 200 The Riverway, Boston, MA 02215 | 617-879-2252 | jbay@wheelock.edu
Child development faculty at Wheelock College work with Wheelock Family Theatre artist-educators to create challenging drama and movement games, improvisations, and exercises that help kids learn the how and the why of onstage thoughts, feelings, and actions. If you've always wanted to take a theater class, check out the musical theatre introduction for 3-4 year-olds and their parents. For older kids, WFT takes a specialized approach with classes in acting, improvisation, vocal techniques, comic acting, and auditioning. For kids with already-full schedules, there are shorter workshops and school vacation week intensives.

Boston Children’s Theatre 
316 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 | 617-424-6634 | info@bostonchildrenstheatre.org
Boston Children's Theatre (BCT) offers everything from introductions to drama to master classes with Broadway stars. For an introduction to theater, there's Center Stage Discovery (ages 4-6), with drama games, activities, songs, and crafts based on a seasonal theme. More serious thespians can audition for one of BCT's productions, and kids who are looking for specialized instruction have options in musical theatre and improvisation. BCT also offers classes with Keys for Kids in Lexington. 

ImprovBoston
40 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 | comedyschool@improvboston.com | 617-576-1253
Does your family need a little comic relief? At ImprovBoston, professionally trained improv instructors create a fun and supportive environment for kids to explore, develop, and make connections with others. After School Laughter School Youth (middle school) and Teen (high school) Troupes work on improvisation fundamentals during weekly rehearsals and perform on ImprovBoston's mainstage twice during the session. Veterans to the stage and newbies alike learn improvisation skills that will make them better performers and they can apply to every day life. Just be prepared for your kid to bring on the funny. 

Underground Railway Theater
Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 | edu@undergroundrailwaytheater.org | 617-576-9278 ext. 207
If your teen has a lot to say about social issues, Youth Underground at Central Square Theater might be the ideal way for her to express herself. The program runs the entire academic year and requires an application. Once selected, Youth Underground Delegates meet once a week to cultivate actor tools, build creativity and confidence, and explore topics relevant to the lives of teens.

Watertown Children’s Theatre
Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472 | 617-926-2787 | info@wctmail.org
Whether your kids are ready for Annie Jr. or the likes of Macbeth, WTC probably has a program just right for them. If a show is too much of a commitment, try one-day intensives in topics ranging from hair or makeup design to dance for theater. WTC also has offerings for budding playwrights and stage crew.

The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN)
14 Summer Street, Natick, MA 01760 | 508-647-0097

The Pocket Full of Tales Theatre Company offers both little kids and big kids the opportunity to learn through the process of developing musical theatre and play performances. If TCAN is a little too far west, check out the classes offered by Pocket Full of Tales in Jamaica Plain and Dedham.

Teens who are serious about developing their acting skills may want to consider the intensive, master class-style Walnut Hill Theater Workshops offered at TCAN. 

LINX
141 Linden Street, Wellesley,  MA 02482 | 781-235-3210 | information@linx-usa.com

Starting with “Kisdervatory” for preschoolers and moving up to the most senior and experienced "Elite Players," LINX (pictured) offers theater classes and productions for all ages and levels. "Adventure Theater," a unique adventure title performed in-house in the wintertime, is perfect for fall and spring athletes or serious actors who want more performance opportunities between main stage productions. A Shakespeare class that connects the classics with modern tales also sounds rather intriguing.

Photo courtesy of LINX