13 Acting Classes for Kids in NYC

Some kids have a flair for the dramatics, and if your child falls into that category, our list of acting classes for kids in NYC will be a good source to find something constructive for them to do.

Even though we don’t often hear how important acting is for our society, it has its special place. With acting, you will not only follow your dreams, but you will also help the world as well, even though it doesn’t seem like this at this age. Since we created a list of youth acting classes NYC, we should also say that being mentally prepared to be an actor and to dive into the acting world isn’t easy, but if that is your dream, you should go for it without a doubt. Actors are everywhere; we see them on TV in live interviews, our favorite movies, magazines and even on the streets in cities like New York City. Imagine how the world would be as well as your life if there were no actors, no TV Shows to watch and no movies, it sounds boring, right? In addition to this, our society looks up to the fictional characters as well as the actors who play them. Their characters could help you find a solution for your problems, teach you how to deal with stressful situations and to look at life from different perspectives. 

Additionally, there are many benefits to becoming an actor. Their lives, as well as any ordinary life, is full of ups and downs but if you are an actor, you will get the chance to play many characters and escape from reality for a little while. You could be a superhero, a villain or the defender of the town, either way; you will have a great time and fans will scream your name wherever you go. There is no monotony in acting because you won’t be chained into a little cubicle from nine to five working. Instead, you will be out there in the world exploring different beautiful locations while diving into another character’s personality. If you become a successful actor, this means you will have a pretty high paycheck and this way you will get the chance actually to help people.

Now to become a successful actor, you need to start as soon as possible. You can start when you are older of course, but you need to be entirely dedicated to this profession. For the adults out there in the Big Apple, if acting is your dream, but your budget is tight, don’t worry, these 6 Free Acting Classes in NYC for Adults, are all you need. These are great acting classes in NYC for beginners.  It is important for children to learn how to act because this way, they will boost their confidence and they will learn how to improvise which will help them in many situations when they grow up. If the school year gets too busy, you can always check out some acting summer camps in NYC.

It wasn’t easy to create this list, but, thanks to Class Curious and their database of all things NYC, we managed to compile a list of best acting classes for kids in NYC. Since every child has a different level of experience and different needs, we did not sort our list in any order. Instead, we left it to you to see what of the following classes will fit your child’s needs, schedule and experience the most and choose the best acting class for them. To expand our list, we also added some children’s acting classes in Brooklyn, as well as Staten Island. However, we don’t have any acting classes for kids in Queens.

Let’s take a look at our list of 13 acting classes for kids in NYC.

13. Chicago City Limits

Location: 46 West 96 St. 4W

Teens who have and those who don’t have previous experience with acting are welcome to join the Chicago City Limits’ Teen Summer Improv Boot Camp and explore their abilities. If you love to improv, or you want to learn how to do that, this class is perfect for you if you are in the age range of 12 to 17 years. This five-day course will allow you to dive into the acting world and learn different techniques in a short time. At the end of this course, you will have a public performance where you can show to other people what you can do and how far your creativity can take you.

12. Creative Drama

Location: 131 W 72nd St

Children at the age of four to eight years are encouraged to try the Creative Drama class. This class is dedicated to children that are beginners with little to no experience, and its average class size consists of 10 kids. This class will guide them through the world of improvisation, movement, rhythm, sound, and mime which could be of significant importance for their adult life. It will improve their concentration, it will inspire them, and it will give them an opportunity to learn how to follow their creative imagination.

11. Summer Workshop

Location: 1 Morris St

Summer Workshop is one of the best acting classes children at the age of eight to twelve years can attend and learn so much about writing, acting, and shooting their film. Every child regardless of its previous experience is welcome to join this class and learn how to make a short film by himself/herself. If you decide to sign up for this class, at the end of it, you will have a film completely made by you, posted online and submitted to Film Festivals. But most importantly, you will leave this class with a knowledge that could turn your life around completely.

10. Summer Saturdays

Location: 500 8th Ave 4th Floor

When you are going to school, you cannot wait for Saturday to come, but during summer, there isn’t a better activity to do on Saturdays than to attend a great class. The average class size in the Summer Saturdays class consists of 12 students at the age of 7 to 17 years old. Don’t let the lack of experience discourage you because this class is dedicated to children and teens with and without experience as well. If you think you will have a great time in Saturday afternoon while you are attending this class, make sure you sign up for it on time.

9. Advanced Acting Workshop

Location: 7601 3rd Ave, Brooklyn

The Advanced Acting Workshop is dedicated to children and teens who are aspiring actors and who are ready to practice and become a successful actor. The average class size consists of 10 children at the age of 12 to 17 years who are willing to join this performance-focused class and that their work to the next level by bringing commitment, intention, and depth to their rehearsal process. If you think this is the right class for you, you should also know that you will be guided through improvisation, scene study, character analysis and you will challenge your creativity. If you are ready, you better start following that dream on time.

8. Musical Theater Building Summer Camp

Location: 490 Riverside Dr

The youngest ones can be professionals as well which is the main reason why Musical Theater Building Summer Camp is encouraging children at the age of six to nine years to sign up for this class and learn how to create sketches and how to improvise. Every kid will create a unique sketch all by himself/herself, and later, they will sing popular tunes, symphonies, and operas based on that sketch with hilarious lyrics. There will be a final premiere where they will perform for their friends and family. This class will boost their confidence, creativity, and imagination which will have a huge impact on their adult life.

7. Advanced Dramatic Scene Study

Location: 1 Campus Rd, Staten Island

Michael Ferman is the teacher in one of the best acting classes for kids in NYC, which is Advanced Dramatic Scene Study. He is teaching children at the age of 13 to 17 years in an average class size of 10 students. It is a two-week intensive program with the focus on individual scenes in dramatic plays. You will get the best instructions in the performance of a scene, while working on the development of a character. Because this class is advanced, to get the maximum from it, previous experience is required.

6. Super Cinema Saturday: On-Camera for Kids & Teens

Location: 630 9th Ave Ste 1410

How often do you have the chance to explore the movie magic? If you are between 7 and 16 years old, put the act in action and sign up for this class because it could change your life. In a fun and encouraging environment, you will be facing different acting challenges, and in addition to this, you will also get the chance to star and film short on-camera scenes. You will be assigned a scene that you will have to perform and improvise; you don’t need to bring anything except the will to learn something new.

5. Imagine Works Youth Theatre

Location: 115 MacDougal Street

The Imagine Works Youth Theatre will show you why you should always follow your dreams. If you are in the age range between 8 and 16 years old, you are welcome to join this class where you will be inspired to take various challenges to get the maximum from this class. You will keep your focus on your voice, dance and drama as well as audition techniques, jazz, stage combat, tap and hip hop skills. Children and teenagers are welcome to join this class and reveal their creative side regardless of their experience.

4. Kids Acting Intensive

Location: 312 W 36th St 3rd Fl

Sam Evans will be the one teaching you how to improvise, build games, set design, perform, analyze scripts and monologs among other things. You will rehearse and perform different scenes, so if you are ready to dive into the acting world and you happen to be between seven and nine years old, feel free to sign up for this class, but hurry up because each class consists of approximately ten kids. Also, keep in mind to take your lunch with you because only drinks and snacks will be provided.

3. Star Wars Live Auction Flix

Location: 1 Campus Rd, Staten Island

For every Star Wars fan out there in the Big Apple, there couldn’t be a better class. In this class, you will use the force to write, direct, star and film your own Star Wars Action Movie. You can be whoever you want to be even R2-D2 or C3PO. You will be working with funny, creative and encouraging young minds ranging from the age of seven to twelve years old. Don’t worry if you don’t have previous experience with acting, directing or filming because this class is dedicated to people who have and for those who don’t have experience. In addition to this, you also know that the force will be with you.

2. Lights, Camera, Action On-Camera Acting

Location: 630 9th Ave Ste 1410

If you want to learn how to act but you are afraid because you don’t have experience, don’t worry because this class is dedicated to children who have experience and children who don’t have experience with acting. With this class, you will sharpen your skills because every class features a new lesson with creative exercises and activities. Leave your fear on your way to the studio because you will walk out of it more confident with so many skills and techniques that will help you dive into the acting world and become a successful actor.

1. BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange

Location: 421 Fifth Ave

BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange has one mission, and that is to support and teach artists-in-progress regardless of their age and through all stages of development. If you decide to sign up for this acting class, you should know that you will be working in a friendly, cooperative and encouraging environment that will help you create and perform work in the same building. Here, you will learn different skills starting from dance and theater to tumbling with creative expression.

That ends our list of acting classes for kids in NYC, we hope you enjoyed it!