Ace Academic Enrichment Center offers an afterschool program with academic curricula for children in first through sixth grades, covering math, language arts, science, computers, indoor sports, and games, while also emphasizing character development. Pickup from nearby schools is available.

Ace also offers weekly enrichment classes in math, language arts, Spanish, music, art, theater arts, and chess. Visit the website for current schedules. Tutoring in language arts, Spanish, and math is available for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The summer program and camps focus on academic enrichment, but also include recreational activities such as basketball, art, theater arts, field trips, and more.

Ace Academic Enrichment Center offers an afterschool program with academic curricula for children in first through sixth grades, covering math, language arts, science, computers, indoor sports, and games, while also emphasizing character development. Pickup from nearby schools is available.

Ace also offers weekly enrichment classes in math, language arts, Spanish, music, art, theater arts, and chess. Visit the website for current schedules. Tutoring in language arts, Spanish, and math is available for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The summer program and camps focus on academic enrichment, but also include recreational activities such as basketball, art, theater arts, field trips, and more.

AD Players (formerly the After Dinner Players) is one of Houston's largest resident theaters and the nation's oldest professional Christian theater. The theater company currently operates out of six different locations, including its children's theater inside St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

All shows strive to provide children with a positive outlook on life and its lessons, and are followed by a discussion with the actors about theater and the principles learned from the story.

The theater company's Mainstage Theater productions are held at Grace Theater, 2710 West Alabama Street, near Kirby Drive. Tickets for the children's or the mainstage shows can be ordered online or by calling the box office.

AD Players also has a Theater Arts Academy offering year-round classes for children ages five and up. The Academy instructs youths in the basics of theater and acting, emphasizing the value of imagination and creative drama. Classes are held at 2613 Saint Street, at the corner of Westheimer and Saint, about 1/4-mile west of Buffalo Speedway.

AD Players (formerly the After Dinner Players) is one of Houston's largest resident theaters and the nation's oldest professional Christian theater. The theater company currently operates out of six different locations, including its children's theater inside St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

All shows strive to provide children with a positive outlook on life and its lessons, and are followed by a discussion with the actors about theater and the principles learned from the story.

The theater company's Mainstage Theater productions are held at Grace Theater, 2710 West Alabama Street, near Kirby Drive. Tickets for the children's or the mainstage shows can be ordered online or by calling the box office.

AD Players also has a Theater Arts Academy offering year-round classes for children ages five and up. The Academy instructs youths in the basics of theater and acting, emphasizing the value of imagination and creative drama. Classes are held at 2613 Saint Street, at the corner of Westheimer and Saint, about 1/4-mile west of Buffalo Speedway.

Inside the Alley Theatre are two separate theaters - the 824-seat Hubbard Stage and the smaller Neuhaus Stage. The Alley aims to present a wide range of plays, embracing classic, new, and neglected plays. The Alley also hosts a variety of other events, including children's performances, music, and author readings.

The Alley Theatre Young Performers Studio (YPS)offers students entering grades 2-12 an introduction to the theater arts in classes led by Alley-trained artists. For more information, contact YPS Director Julia Traber at 713.228.9341, ex 423.

Applause Theatre Company is a non-profit, musical theater company for youths, offering acting classes, theatrical productions, and workshops which culminate in performances.

Parent-teacher groups can arrange for Arts Alive! to come to your child's school for workshops and afterschool activities. Classes incorporate all the expressive arts (drama, dance, music, and visual art) to foster creativity, improve cooperation and communication skills, and develop self-esteem. Among the tools are role-playing, costumes, puppets, and props, transforming the environment into a magical place where fun and learning can take place.

Designed for all ages, Arts Alive! also offers special events and family workshops open to the public, often at various libraries around town.

Parent-teacher groups can arrange for Arts Alive! to come to your child's school for workshops and afterschool activities. Classes incorporate all the expressive arts (drama, dance, music, and visual art) to foster creativity, improve cooperation and communication skills, and develop self-esteem. Among the tools are role-playing, costumes, puppets, and props, transforming the environment into a magical place where fun and learning can take place.

Designed for all ages, Arts Alive! also offers special events and family workshops open to the public, often at various libraries around town.

Set in a historic movie house, the Harbour Playhouse is both a community theater and a fine arts academy. Year-round classes for children and teens are offered in performing arts, musical theater, dance, piano, and voice.

Summer drama camp is also available to children ages six and up.

Bay Area Learning Center has joined with FasTracKids to offer an academic enrichment program for children ages three to seven. This 24-month (two hours per week) course is designed to enrich children's knowledge while also developing their speaking, communication, and leadership skills.

Subject-areas include not only math and writing, but also drama, economics, and various sciences - astronomy, technology, and biology, to name a few.

The Learning Center also offers Spanish lessons, as well as tutoring in math, reading, and writing for ages three and up - including TAKS prep!

Academic summer camps are also available in areas such as science, Spanish, math, and reading.

The Bay Area Theatre and Voice Academy offers private music lessons and musical theater workshops and classes for children ages four and up, including teens. Classes are geared towards developing productions.

The Academy also offers summer camps which culminate in musical theater productions.

Christian Youth Theater (CYT) offers theater arts classes for children ages six to 18, as well as performing arts summer camps.

Class Act Productions is a non-profit performing arts group that presents a variety of shows and offers theater classes for kids ages seven and up.

Class Act Productions also includes in its family The Woodlands Repertory Theatre, a community theater company.

Productions are held at the Nancy Bock Center for Performing Arts.

The Clear Creek Community Theater has been serving Clear Lake since the 1960s with shows, youth programs, and workshops. In the youth apprentice program, children ages six to 18 learn about stage movement, voice, props, lighting, character development, and more. All aspects of the program lead up to a public performance by the participants.

Creative Connections offers fine arts classes for children in dance, drama, art, yoga, creative movement, and motor skills. Classes are available for infants to fifth graders at various venues throughout the greater Houston area. Call or visit the website for current locations and schedules.

Creative Connections also offers day camps and birthday party packages.

Ask about the schedule of free demo classes.

Dionysus Theatre is a non-profit organization that provides theater experience for teens and young adults who are disabled, disadvantaged, or chronically ill, as well as able-bodied actors. Dionysus offers performing arts classes, and also presents live stage shows.

Drama Kids offers performing arts classes for kids ages five to 15. The programs focus on helping participants to build confidence and self esteem while learning to act and speak creatively. Week-long, half-day summer camps are also available; call for the current schedule.

Houston's oldest and largest performing and arts education organization, Express Children's Theatre offers performances every Saturday, in addition to theatre arts education programs.

Saturday Theatre Workshops ($25 per two-hour workshop) invite students to participate in a variety of theatre games and activities, including pantomime, stage movement, improvisation, and dramatic interpretation.

The afterschool theatre arts programs and summer camps, for children ages eight to 16, focus on all aspects of rehearsing and performing a play.

Houston's oldest and largest performing and arts education organization, Express Children's Theatre offers performances every Saturday, in addition to theatre arts education programs.

Saturday Theatre Workshops ($25 per two-hour workshop) invite students to participate in a variety of theatre games and activities, including pantomime, stage movement, improvisation, and dramatic interpretation.

The afterschool theatre arts programs and summer camps, for children ages eight to 16, focus on all aspects of rehearsing and performing a play.

Fort Bend Theatre provides Sugar Land-area families with a variety of productions throughout the year. Productions generally alternate between "Family Shows" and "Children's Shows," so there's usually something on tap for children of all ages. Tickets are available by phone or online.

The Theatre offers acting classes for children ages eight and up, as well as summer camp for ages five to 14.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best indoor playspace and best artsy class for little kids in Houston, Gymboree offers developmental classes and hosts birthday parties for babies and toddlers, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Choose music, play, or arts.

Call for class times, registration, and party times.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best indoor playspace and best artsy class for little kids in Houston, Gymboree offers developmental classes and hosts birthday parties for babies and toddlers, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Choose music, play, or arts.

Call for class times, registration, and party times.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best indoor playspace and best artsy class for little kids in Houston, Gymboree offers developmental classes and hosts birthday parties for babies and toddlers, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Choose music, play, or arts.

Call for class times, registration, and party times.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best indoor playspace and best artsy class for little kids in Houston, Gymboree offers developmental classes and hosts birthday parties for babies and toddlers, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Choose music, play, or arts.

Call for class times, registration, and party times.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best day camp for teens in Houston, HITS was founded in 1980 as a place where kids could receive professional-quality theater training.
Classes are open to children from age four through 18, and HITS also produces family-oriented Broadway-style theatre performances, featuring actors of all ages.

Classes and performances take place in HITS' intimate theater. HITS also produces a major Broadway musical at Miller Outdoor Theatre each spring.

A multi-session Musical Theater Summer Camp for children ages four to 18 is also offered each year.

Houston Academy of Dramatic Arts offers both introductory and advanced acting classes, year-round, for children ages seven and up. The Academy also offers two-week performing arts summer camps for teens and pre-teens. Call or visit website for schedules.

Houston Boychoir is an independent arts organization which provides boys in the greater Houston area with opportunities for vocal music study and choral performance. The boys perform regularly throughout the city and are often featured with Houston's major performing arts organizations, including Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Symphony.

With 45 years of performance history, the Houston Boychoir also travels on annual concert tours across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Auditions are held annually each spring at various locations and periodically throughout the year.

Founded in 1989, the Houston Children's Chorus has performed in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Carnegie Hall, Russia, England, Scotland, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. Membership in the Chorus is open to any child entering grades 2 through 8, by audition. Children from all economic and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to audition. Scholarship assistance is available to children in need.

The Town Choir is a training choir for children entering grades 4 through 8. Children are taught musical, rehearsal, vocal, and performance skills while in this group. This choir performs at various times and venues throughout the year. The Town Choir children meet once a week, for one hour and fifteen minutes. Children are required to complete one year in the Town Choir before being allowed to audition for the Chorus Concert Choir.

Weekly rehearsals are held in several geographic locations throughout the Houston area: West Houston, Sugar Land, Central Houston, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Clear Lake, Katy, and Pearland. Children attend the rehearsal in their area. (Rehearsal areas are decided by enrollment numbers.)

A new addition to the roster of choirs is a Preparatory Choir for children entering 2nd and 3rd grades. Auditions are not required. This choir meets once a week for one hour.

Founded in 1989, the Houston Children's Chorus has performed in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Carnegie Hall, Russia, England, Scotland, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. Membership in the Chorus is open to any child entering grades 2 through 8, by audition. Children from all economic and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to audition. Scholarship assistance is available to children in need.

The Town Choir is a training choir for children entering grades 4 through 8. Children are taught musical, rehearsal, vocal, and performance skills while in this group. This choir performs at various times and venues throughout the year. The Town Choir children meet once a week, for one hour and fifteen minutes. Children are required to complete one year in the Town Choir before being allowed to audition for the Chorus Concert Choir.

Weekly rehearsals are held in several geographic locations throughout the Houston area: West Houston, Sugar Land, Central Houston, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Clear Lake, Katy, and Pearland. Children attend the rehearsal in their area. (Rehearsal areas are decided by enrollment numbers.)

A new addition to the roster of choirs is a Preparatory Choir for children entering 2nd and 3rd grades. Auditions are not required. This choir meets once a week for one hour.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best artsy class for teens in Houston, the Houston Family Arts Center strives to provide productions of affordable, high-quality, family-friendly entertainment. Children are frequently included in the casts, and open auditions are held throughout the year. Select performances are held at the Berry Center.

The Family Arts Center also offers acting workshops for children and teens.

Founded in 1955, Houston Grand Opera has produced thirty-three world premieres, six American premieres, and a long list of talented performers who have passed through HGO's acclaimed training program, Houston Grand Opera Studio. Most performances are at the Wortham Theater Center.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Houston Grand Opera Box Office, at the Wortham Theater Center, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, and 90 minutes before each performance and two hours before Sunday matinees.

To order tickets by phone, call the Customer Care Center at 713.228.OPERA or 800.62.OPERA, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. On performance days, the box office stays open until curtain.

HGO also operates the Houston Grand Opera Studio, a training and performance program for young artists with the potential for major careers in the opera/music theater profession, as well as the High School Voice Studio, a program for talented local high school students.

Opera Camps: "The Opera Experience" is designed for young singers entering grades 4-9.
"The Art of Opera" is for students with unchanged voices entering grades 7-12.
"Create an Opera" is a camp for young singers entering grades 3-5.
Camp space is limited, so be sure to register early.

The Houston School of Dance and Musical Theatre offers instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater for adults and children ages three and up.

Island etc (east-end theatre company) is a non-profit, professional theater company offering a full season of live productions. The company also offers kids' performing arts classes and summer workshops that focus on acting, auditioning, singing, dancing, and more.

The Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center (KVPAC) is a non-profit organization offering classes in theater, visual arts, and music to children and adults. KVPAC also hosts free monthly "Arts for All" events such as art workshops and "Books Alive!" productions, which feature musical adaptations of children's literature.

KidStage is an afterschool drama program for kids ages four and up, including high school students. Classes meet once a week for 12 weeks and end in a final showcase performance. Classes are held at Kids in Action in Kingwood.

The program can help to build kids' reading skills, vocabulary, teamwork abilities, and leadership skills in a creative environment.

KidStage hosts one-day summer workshops as well. Call or visit the website for locations and schedules.

KidStage also offers birthday party entertainment by performing a drama workshop for your child and their friends. An instructor comes to your home or other location and engages the party goers with theater games, exercises, improvisation, and mask making. Afterwards, the children can even put on a skit variety show. Pricing is $75 for 1 hour ($50 for each additional 30 minutes).

KidStage is an afterschool drama program for kids ages four and up, including high school students. Classes meet once a week for 12 weeks and end in a final showcase performance. Classes are held at Kids in Action in Kingwood.

The program can help to build kids' reading skills, vocabulary, teamwork abilities, and leadership skills in a creative environment.

KidStage hosts one-day summer workshops as well. Call or visit the website for locations and schedules.

KidStage also offers birthday party entertainment by performing a drama workshop for your child and their friends. An instructor comes to your home or other location and engages the party goers with theater games, exercises, improvisation, and mask making. Afterwards, the children can even put on a skit variety show. Pricing is $75 for 1 hour ($50 for each additional 30 minutes).