THE MISSION OF CITY WIDE DRAMA CLUB

We believe that theatre has the power to change the lives of students and the community at large with opportunities for confidence, collaboration, and creativity. The City Wide Drama Club (CWDC) seeks to create one highly impactful, sustainable, and replicable program, filling the void in theatre arts opportunities for public schools in the West Michigan Area while also creating pathways for local young people and their families to find belonging and thrive at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

 The City Wide Drama Club is expanding to a full-year theatre arts program that is open to all students in the Grand Rapids area whose school does not have an established theatre program and who are interested in participating in our March production on the Civic stage.

THERE’S MORE FOR YOU IN THE CENTENNIAL SEASON

City Wide Drama Club is back and bigger than ever! We heard you, and you want MORE! City Wide Drama Club is expanding to a full year, scholarship program open to all students in GRPS whose school does not have an established theatre program and who are interested in participating in our March production on the Civic stage. Admittance to the club will be a formal application process reviewed by the Civic team. 20-30 students will be chosen to be a part of City Wide Drama Club. This year’s City Wide Drama Club participants have more flexibility, more options, and more community building.  Apply for this “free to you” program today to join us for monthly workshops, monthly community nights at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, TWO classes of your choice through the School of Theatre Arts, AND the opportunity to audition for Finding Nemo Jr.

NEW THIS YEAR

Monthly Workshops

These optional workshops provide CWDC students the chance to explore a wide variety of topics in the theatrical world, including on AND off stage activities. Check out dates and times below: 

    • INTRO TO THEATRE WORKSHOP: Thursday, September 10th from 4:30-6:30pm 
    • MAKEUP WORKSHOP: Thursday, October 8th from 4:30-6:30pm
    • AUDITION PREP WORKSHOP: Thursday, November 12th from 4:30-6:30pm
    • DANCE WORKSHOP: Thursday, December 10th from 4:30-6:30pm
    • IMPROV WORKSHOP: Thursday, January 14th from 4:30-6:30pm
    • SET/PROP DESIGN WORKSHOP: Thursday, February 11th from 4:30-6:30pm
    • COSTUMES WORKSHOP: Thursday, March 11th from 4:30-6:30pm
    • LIGHTS/SOUND WORKSHOP: Thursday, April 15th from 4:30-6:30pm
    • MUSICAL THEATRE  PREP WORKSHOP: Thursday, May 13th from 4:30-6:30pm

Monthly Community Nights

City Wide Drama Club students will join us for the following productions of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s Centennial Season for FREE! Enjoy pizza before the show, socialize, and check out some live theatre!

    • Dragons Love Tacos: Date TBD
    • Annie: Thursday, November 19th 7:30pm
    • A Chorus Line: Thursday, January 14th 7:30pm  (Rated PG-13)
    • Dear Evan Hansen: Thursday, February 18th 7:30pm (Rated PG-13)
    • Our Town: Thursday, April 22nd 7:30pm
    • Les Miserables: Thursday, June 3rd 7:30pm

End of Year Celebration

Join us for an end of year party in May to celebrate our fantastic 2026/27 year of City Wide Drama Club!

 

DETAILS

Applications due August 14th.
Admittance to the program includes:
    • 2 classes (prerequisites) during our Fall and/or Winter Term
    • Monthly Workshops
    • Monthly CWDC Community Nights
    • After prerequisites, students can audition for Finding Nemo Jr

 

APPLY FOR CITY WIDE DRAMA CLUB BY AUGUST 14

City Wide Drama Club students will have the opportunity to audition for the School of Theatre Arts collaborative production of Finding Nemo JR. 

*Auditions will ONLY be open to Students in Grades 2-12, who are actively enrolled in the Young Artist Studio cohort, enrolled in the City Wide Drama Club Program, OR who have independently completed the required Prerequisites in the School of Theatre Arts:

Any CORE Acting OR CORE Musical Theatre course in the 25/26 or 26/27 School Year, PLUS one additional choice between:

One week of Summer Camp (26) OR any other GRCT School of Theatre Arts class (25/26 or 26/27). Explore class offerings HERE.

LEARN ABOUT AUDITIONS
ABOUT FINDING NEMO JR.
APPLY FOR CITY WIDE DRAMA CLUB BY AUGUST 14

Still have questions about city wide drama club?

Click below to get started!

CONTACT JARED GRAYBIEL, OUTREACH MANAGER

Get an inside look at some of the programs offered by Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts through this video created by Carbon Stories on behalf of Steelcase Foundation.

City Wide Drama Club is made possible by

Additional Support Provided By:

Peter and Rachel Kahn (Jan Kahn Fund)

David and Mary Peterman (Jan Kahn Fund)

Richard and Joann Kahn (Jan Kahn Fund)

Wege Foundation

Meijer

ABOUT GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE

Established in 1926, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the nation. Our mission is to Inspire creativity and personal growth, Illuminate our common humanity, and Ignite connection across our community… through the power of Theatre Arts. CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ABOUT CIVIC’S SCHOOL OF THEATRE ARTS

We are committed to artistic excellence through a comprehensive arts education program which builds confidence, fosters collaboration and inspires creativity. CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION.

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S NEXT AT GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE?

CLICK HERE FOR THE CENTENNIAL SEASON