Orlando Family Stage plans to expand its educational offerings for the 2026–2027 season with new classes, performance opportunities, and family-focused programs.
Registration is now open for the organization’s year-round education programs, which include expanded weekend and after-school classes, a new Junior Thespian Troupe for homeschool students, and interactive post-show family workshops that encourage learning long after the curtain falls.
The expanded lineup reflects Orlando Family Stages’s commitment to serving children at every stage of development, from infancy through high school. The organization says its programs are designed to foster social and emotional growth while giving young people opportunities to express themselves through the performing arts.
“Children are often described as future audiences or future artists,” Executive Director Chris Brown said in a statement. “We see them differently. They are people with important stories, ideas, and voices right now.”
The educational journey begins with programs tailored for the youngest participants. Baby & Me introduces infants and caregivers to music, movement, storytelling, and sensory play, while Story Stroll combines literacy with outdoor exploration and imaginative activities. The organization also offers Theatre for the Very Young, immersive performances created specifically for early childhood audiences.
As students grow, they can participate in age-appropriate acting, musical theatre, creative drama, and technical theatre classes taught by professional teaching artists.
For aspiring performers looking for additional stage experience, Orlando Family Stage’s Youth Academy provides students with the opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside professional directors, choreographers, designers, and stage managers in productions modeled after the organization’s Main Stage shows.
The 2026–2027 Youth Academy season will feature Disney’s Camp Rock The Musical, running Dec. 4–6, followed by Trolls The Musical Jr., scheduled for April 30–May 2, 2027.
A new addition this season is the Junior Thespian Troupe, created specifically for homeschool students. The program will allow participants to develop theatre skills, attend professionally evaluated events, build leadership experience, and connect with fellow students who share an interest in the performing arts.
Learning opportunities also extend beyond traditional classes through Orlando Family Stage’s educational outreach initiatives, including school field trips, Arts-Based Learning residencies, teacher professional development, and a new series of post-show family workshops.
Following select performances, families will be invited to participate in interactive activities that explore each production’s themes, characters, and creative process. The workshops are designed to encourage conversations between children and caregivers while reinforcing lessons introduced on stage.
Jennifer Adams-Carrasquillo, the organization’s senior director of education, said the programs are intentionally designed to grow alongside families.
“Our goal is to create spaces where every young person feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow,” Adams-Carrasquillo said.
The organization also continues its long-standing collaboration with the University of Central Florida’s nationally recognized Theatre for Young Audiences graduate program. Through the partnership, graduate students gain professional experience working on productions and educational programming while contributing to new play development and research.
According to Orlando Family Stage, its education team includes full-time staff, professional teaching artists, classroom educators, working theatre professionals, and UCF graduate students, many of whom have served Central Florida families for more than a decade.
Celebrating more than 100 years of serving young audiences, Orlando Family Stage remains Florida’s only professional theatre dedicated exclusively to children and families. The nonprofit reaches more than 100,000 children and families annually through performances, educational programming, school partnerships, and community initiatives.
Registration for all 2026-2027 education programs is now open. Families can learn more and register by visiting HERE.
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