Page and Stage

A free literacy program, for 320 at-risk 3-to-5-year-old children from five local Head Start Centers, which uses in-class workshops led by a teaching artist to help students explore characters and themes of plays through interactive activities.

Workshops, offered four times per year to each class, prepare students for fieldtrips to live performances and help students come away with a better understanding of literary characters, story lines and themes.

To inquire about involving your school in a similar program, please visit our Classroom Workshops page.

Algonquin Youth Ensemble

Experience the exciting profession of theatre through the Algonquin Arts Theatre’s Performing Arts Academy’s theatre study intensive. Each Fall, Spring and Summer semester students can look forward to auditioning for the Algonquin Youth Ensemble, that will further feature students in a main stage musical or play at the Algonquin Arts Theatre. Students will look to work and learn with professionals in the field as part of an educational classroom experience. The classroom is an educational component structured with lessons that work hand-in-hand with the rehearsal, directing and staging of a main stage performance. This program will educate our students on the principles of acting, stage craft, script analysis, stage terminology, jobs and roles of those putting up a performance, history and language.

Rising Stars

Algonquin Arts Theatre invites young artists from schools throughout New Jersey to audition to be a "Rising Star." Now in its 14th year, the Rising Stars program gives young classical musicians the opportunity to perform and receive feedback from a highly-qualified panel of judges and a special guest mentor.

Acting Studio at Asbury Park High School

We're pleased to announce Asbury Park High School's drama program is now completely self-sufficient under the direction of Gary Kilmer, the district's drama teacher. The Acting Studio was established by Algonquin Arts Theatre as an after-school drama program to nurture and develop the artistic talents of Asbury Park High School (APHS) students. Prior to this program, APHS had been without a drama program for more than ten years. From 2008-2010, approximately 120 at-risk students have successfully produced six productions, including Little Shop of Horrors and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

Education Series

Each year, Algonquin Arts Theatre's Education Series delivers approximately 50 performances and workshops designed to assist educators in meeting New Jersey's core curriculum standards; enhance children's understanding of the characters and themes of performances; and provide lessons of cultural awareness and tolerance. Artist-led workshops help teachers to engage their students with discussion groups and activities.

Performing Arts Academy

Algonquin Arts Theatre offers a wide range of after school performing arts classes led by teaching artists, who inspire students to explore their talents as actors, singers, dancers, musicians, writers, filmmakers and technicians. Classes are offered every Fall and Spring in ten- or twelve-week courses that attract approximately 250 students per session.

Summer Stage and ShoreDance

Summer Stage is a performing arts camp for students and attracts approximately 300 students, ages 6 to adult, each year. Summer Stage provides a safe and fun environment where students can explore and develop their creative and dramatic skills with professional artists. Each session culminates in a final public performance on stage at Algonquin Arts Theatre.

One unique Summer Stage program is ShoreDance, a dance intensive focusing on a different dance genre each summer. The Summer of 2011 focused in a Broadway dance style of jazz, ballet and tap techniques taught by Broadway professionals. In the Summer of 2012 ShoreDance featured the renowned Philadelphia based Koresh Dance Company, where students study various styles of dance including Ballet, Hip Hop, Acro, Tumbling, Jazz and Afro-Modern.

Teen Night

This program is designed to combat the alarming trend of teen suicide in the southern Monmouth County region by creating a comfortable, supportive environment that provides teens with a variety of diverse activities.

To achieve this, Algonquin Arts Theatre has created a FREE night of improv fun that creates a positive influence while enjoying good company and tasty snacks.

The class meets four Friday evenings within the Spring and Fall semester from 7:00pm-9:00pm.

The evening includes a customized improv class instructed by a teaching artist that bases the improv activities on social issues that are appropriate for the class. Students can explore any one of the following areas: character development, bullying, emotional violence, peer pressure, pros & cons of labels and making choices.

Professional Development

Learn creative ways to build the arts into everyday lesson plans and discover Algonquin Arts Theatre's widespread educational resources. This year you can earn up to eight hours or more with the 2012-2013 MORNING MUSIC or REEL HISTORY series. Teachers have the opportunity to attend performances that offer question and answer sessions designed to help them implement the NJ core curriculum content standards for visual and performing arts in their classroom. Algonquin Arts Theatre is a registered provider of professional development through the New Jersey Department of Education, Provider #2871.

Classroom Workshops

Learn how to implement creative dramatics, art, and music into your classroom. A teaching artist will customize a workshop appropriate to your class and school. Enhance your classes' theater-going experience and your students love of reading. Explore role-playing and character development and look forward to a creating an outlet for starting an enrichment or Drama program. Customized workshops are also developed based on social issues. All workshops meet NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. You pick the topic; we'll provide the lesson!

Community Service Programs

Here at Algonquin Arts Theatre, we give our students a chance to work with a lot of hands-on projects that will allow them to grow and create as individual artists. This is an excellent opportunity to encourage and prepare interns for a creative environment. Interning is a volunteer participation and is an excellent way to give back to the community. As a student leader, you are a role model amongst the students who attend our academy. Your job title will include organizing classes, assisting with lesson planning, and assistant directing and teaching. There is plenty of opportunity to work behind the scenes by learning the process of putting a performance together. The process includes running a performance and collaborating costume, set, prop, lighting and music ideas with the various instructors.

Opportunities of volunteering are even available to our local Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops of Ocean and Monmouth County. Scout functions can be arranged to help your troop earn hours of work service. We even offer Scout tours of the theatre; customize workshops based on a visual or performing arts experience.

M C² Scholarship Fund

Marielle was an avid fan of the theatre and longtime student and volunteer at Algonquin Arts Theatre.

The Family has established a Scholarship with the goal of providing financial assistance to current and new students of Algonquin Arts Theatre's Performing Arts Academy.

Click here for a Scholarship application and a list of donors to this fund.