The Apollo Civic Theatre has a history of youth programming that began in the 1980s and has continued to grow.
In the 1980s, then known as the Berkeley County Civic Theatre, we began our first youth programs after securing a grant to hold a theatre workshop. The rest, they say, is history.
Since then, we have expanded our programming for youth. In 2013, with the creation of Jr. version musicals, we added our Junior After School Program for grades 4th -12th, which offers year-round, full production workshops with rehearsals taking place after school. These programs end with a one hour long production taking place on our Apollo stage!
We expanded this program again in 2023 to include a Just Kids After School Program, allowing students in grades K-5 to be introduced to theatre. In this program, children work with high school peers, who are hired to student direct the productions, and perform as the opening act for our Junior After School productions, performing 30 minute versions of musicals for kids.
We are excited to be expanding our program again in 2025, with the addition of our first ever Homeschool Theatre Workshop. This program will follow a similar format to our Junior After School Program, with rehearsals taking place during the day and with a broader age range of students in grades 1st – 12th, ending with a performance separate from our other youth productions.
Although we have had many alumni go on to work professionally in all aspects of the performing arts, our programs have little to do with creating superstars. We are committed to creating a safe and welcoming space where kids of all backgrounds can find joy in the performing arts. Our programs exist to foster creativity, build leadership and teamwork skills, and provide kids a safe space to come be themselves and have fun.
We hope you’ll consider joining us for one of our next productions!