2026-2027 Terms
Our adult class selections at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre are carefully crafted to offer both basic skills for those new to theatre and advanced skills for experienced artists looking to hone their craft. Our instructors have worked professionally and on college campuses both in West Michigan and all over the country.
ESSENTIAL ACTING
for Adults
$175
Six classes per session
Session A: (instructed by TBA)
Saturdays October 3 – November 7
2:30 – 4:30 PM
Session B: (instructed by K. Mayberry)
Tuesdays October 6 – November 10
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Session A: (instructed by TBD)
Wednesdays January 13 – February 17
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Session B: (instructed by J. Fischer)
Thursdays January 14 – February 18
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Session A: (instructed by K. Mayberry)
Tuesdays April 13 – May 18
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Session B: (instructed by E. Betka-Pope)
Saturdays April 17 – May 22
2:30 – 4:30 PM
Join a fantastic theater professional for a six-week journey into the essentials of acting. This course is designed to help students fully engage their bodies, voices, and spontaneity on stage. Through various games and exercises, participants will reduce self-consciousness, and unlock their sense of play. Students will also delve into foundational script analysis skills, learning to embody actions, play various tactics, and discover emotional stakes within partnered scene work. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, this class welcomes individuals at all proficiency levels.
📆 Registration opens HERE Tuesday, August 25.
VOCAL MUSICIANSHIP
for Adults
“Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Voice But Was Afraid To Ask”
$175
Six classes per session
Sundays October 4 – November 8
4:00 – 6:00 PM
instructed by E. Peterson
Get direct access to a vocal coach and music director for six weeks! Discover techniques to help performing feel more free and authentic while lessening performance anxiety as it relates to the voice. Grow in confidence in preparation of audition cuts.
📆 Registration opens HERE Tuesday, August 25.
IMPROV COMEDY: THE BASICS
for Adults
$175
Six classes per session
Thursdays October 8 – November 12
7:00 – 9:00 PM
instructed by E. Betka-Pope
Saturdays January 9 – February 13
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
instructed by B. Devon
This highly energetic class is geared towards the basic tenets of improv acting and developing the process of improv, teamwork, and spontaneity. Ideal for people hoping to perform improv, expand their performance abilities, or for those desiring to develop enhanced communication and creativity skills for use in their business and personal lives, all while working in a supportive and extremely fun environment.
📆 Registration opens HERE Tuesday, August 25.
FINDING THE FUNNY: SCENEWORK
for Adults
$175
Six classes per session
Tuesdays April 13 – May 18
7:00 – 9:00 PM
instructed by C. Hart
Join a professional theatre artist for a six-week exploration of comedic performance. This class focuses on playing comedy truthfully, boldly, and with specificity through games, exercises, and partnered scene work.
Students will work exclusively on comedic scenes while developing strong listening skills, clear objectives, and dynamic tactics that support the humor in the text. This course is ideal for actors who have some previous experience and are eager to strengthen their comedic skills. Open to adults ready to lean into the funny in a supportive and collaborative setting.
📆 Registration opens HERE Tuesday, August 25.
ON-CAMERA ACTING
for Adults
$175
Six classes per session
Tuesdays January 12 – February 16
7:00 – 9:00 PM
instructed by C. Hart
Led by a professional film artist, this six-week course introduces actors to the craft of film and television performance. Students will explore how acting shifts from stage to screen, develop truthful connection in front of the lens, and gain confidence with basic on-set language and audition process.
📆 Registration opens HERE Tuesday, August 25.
THE MEISNER METHOD
for Adults
$175
Six classes per session
Saturdays April 17 – May 22
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
instructed by J. Scritchfield
Have you taken Essential Acting and want to take the next step? Are you an experienced community theater actor and want to brush up on your skills? Utilizing theatre exercises emphasizing observation and reaction, students will learn the Sanford Meisner approach to acting in this advanced-level class!
📆 Registration opens HERE Tuesday, August 25.