As summer begins to wind down, it’s time to start focusing on the truly important things in life – back-to-school sales, Labor Day barbecues, and, of course, dragons. Yes, you read that correctly. Dragons are poised to become an important part of our children’s acting classes as we prepare for our fall musical – How to Train Your Dragon.

While we mainly devote our summers to our exciting theater summer camp program, during the school year, our theater classes include a fall, winter, and spring musical production. For Fall 2026, our students will be presenting How to Train Your Dragon, a musical based on the popular books and movies.

For those unfamiliar with this Viking adventure, it all begins in the tiny village of Berk, located along the Meridian of Misery and plagued with frequent dragon attacks. Brave Hiccup, son of the village chieftain, discovers a special way to tame the dragons, save the village, and cement an important friendship with the fair (and fierce) Astrid Hofferson.
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This amazing children’s musical theatre production includes more than 10 original songs, and whether your child is cast as a Viking villager or a fire-breathing dragon, they will have a blast, as well as build confidence and forge new friendships along the way.

Searching for “acting classes for kids near me”? At Acting Academy for Kids, we offer musical theater classes at three Orange County locations, so whether you are searching for acting classes in Mission Viejo, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, or elsewhere in Orange County, we have convenient options throughout South County.

We offer theater programs in Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Lyceum Village, which is on the Irvine-Tustin border. Each location will begin rehearsals for How to Train Your Dragon the week of August 24. 

Our Mission Viejo location, Z Playhouse, will be offering three casts for the fall season. Cast A, for kids aged 5-10 years, will meet on Tuesdays from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. Cast B, for kids aged 8-12 years, will meet on Tuesdays from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Cast C, for ages 11-16, will meet on Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
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Our Lyceum Village (Irvine/Tustin) location and our Newport Beach location each will have one cast, welcoming kids and teens from 5.5 years to 14 years old. The Lyceum Village cast rehearsals will be held on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Newport Beach cast will meet on Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.

It is important to note that while weekly rehearsals for our Irvine and Newport Beach locations will be held at those locations, the performances, dress rehearsals, and any weekend rehearsals will be held at our Mission Viejo location (Z Playhouse), which is conveniently located just off I-5 on Alicia Parkway. Z Playhouse is a fully-appointed theater with a multi-level stage.
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The cost for our fall program is $645.90, which includes $575 for tuition, a $35 costume fee, $30 materials fee, and a non-refundable online registration fee of $5.90. We do offer a $300 discount if you enroll in all three Academy Main Stage shows at one time. This $1566.80 package includes tuition and fees for all three of our productions – Fall, Winter, and Spring.

After you enroll in our children’s acting classes, audition materials can be accessed on our website. During auditions, kids should be prepared to sing a solo and read some scripted lines from the musical to determine which role may be the best fit.

We don’t simply dive into auditions and casting. Our choreographers will warm up the group, and then we will play a few introductory games so the cast can get to know one another.

Once everyone feels comfortable, the audition process will begin. We will guide the students through three audition areas – Dancing, Singing, and Acting. Children and teens from any skill level are welcome at Acting Academy, and no experience is necessary.

While our philosophy is to maximize the amount of time each child has on stage, no one is guaranteed a leading role. For students assigned smaller roles, we strive to assign multiple roles whenever possible, to ensure that everyone has time to shine on stage.
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Keep in mind that we do not offer refunds or future credits, so once casting is complete, please encourage your child to have fun with their roles. After all, there are no small parts, and an actor with just one or two lines can steal the show! We put a lot of thought and energy into each casting decision, and every one’s role in the production is essential. 

First and foremost, we strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our students. Of course, theater classes are also supposed to be fun, and we work diligently to choose musical theater productions that offer an assortment of unique roles to suit many different personalities.

In addition to our musical theater productions, we also offer acting lessons for teens and children’s acting classes, including private acting and audition classes, vocal classes, and even piano lessons. Our experienced professional instructors can help young performers improve their vocal technique, providing acting coaching and practice audition skills.

We can help kids and teens strengthen their performance skills to prepare for high school musicals and play auditions, OSCA auditions, and even professional film and television opportunities.

Another unique opportunity for young artists is our Junior Theater Festival (JTF) team. Students audition for this team, and we practice our musical theater skills throughout the year in preparation for the annual JTF West Competition held in Sacramento.
​This program is a blast, and we still have open audition slots.  Auditions will be held on August 24 from 4-7 p.m. at Z Playhouse, our Mission Viejo location. To audition, your child or teen must prepare a segment of a musical theater song of their choice, not to exceed one minute, and they will be singing acapella. There also will be a short dance audition once vocal auditions are complete.
 
Additionally, we also offer exciting TV and film classes for kids aged 8-14. During this 10-week program, students take a deep dive into the world of filmmaking. They learn everything from on-camera acting skills to aspects of film production.
 
The students create an actual professional film production which is premiered at a local theater. Students also earn an IMDB credit for this production, allowing them to begin building a professional resume. Classes begin on September 17, so if you are interested in this program, you can sign up or learn more at https://www.aa4kstudios.com/. (NOTE: PLEASE ADD THIS URL LINK)
 
Whether your child or teen is interested in signing up for How to Train Your Dragon, our private theater classes, or perhaps our JFT team, our kids acting academy has something for everyone. Registration for our fall musical is now open, and spots tend to fill up fast, so we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. If you have any questions about our programs, feel free to contact us at any time. 

We know there are plenty of Mission Viejo summer camps out there, but few allow them a chance to spend a week as a magical creature, a princess, or perhaps a wizard. At Acting Academy for Kids, our theater camp provides kids with a truly unforgettable summer experience. If you are searching for the perfect summer camp, here are seven reasons why musical theater camp deserves a standing ovation.

Many children become more comfortable speaking in front of others after participating in our acting summer camps. Performing in a supportive, welcoming environment can help kids overcome shyness, gain confidence in their abilities, and feel proud about accomplishing a new challenge. 

Not only can our Mission Viejo summer camps help your child build confidence, but theater also teaches children to express themselves clearly through both speech and body language. 

These benefits extend beyond our summer camps and will help them in the future as they tackle school presentations and class participation, as well as everyday conversations and even future job interviews.

While many day camps provide fun activities, they don’t always encourage imagination. In theater summer camp, kids create characters, tell stories, solve creative challenges and learn to think outside the box. This not only boosts their creativity, but it can help them develop problem-solving skills that will be useful throughout their lives.

Producing a weekly camp musical requires everyone to work together. Our kids become each other’s cheerleaders and improve their cooperation skills as well as their listening skills. We encourage everyone to show respect for others, and we instill the idea that all of the contributions to a show are important. Whether you are singing in the chorus or the lead of a musical, every contribution is crucial! 

When you think about an artistic camp, you might not necessarily associate this with exercise, but our kids definitely enjoy a good daily workout. We aren’t simply sitting around; we're moving throughout the day, acting out scenes and honing our dance and vocal skills. Our performing arts camp not only stimulates the mind but also provides plenty of exercise for your kids.

Theater is not just for the kids who long to be the star of the show. For kids who love singing, dancing, or even helping behind the scenes, our acting summer camps include a little bit of everything. Our camp is perfect for outgoing performers as well as quiet children who love musicals and need to build a bit of confidence. Summer theater camp offers a great, low-pressure way to introduce children to the performing arts.

When parents are searching for Irvine summer camp or Ladera Ranch summer camps or in another local area, we know that they are hoping to select an option that their children will truly love. One of the best aspects of our camps is that we help children create memories that will last a lifetime. They will always remember the week they performed as an orphan in “Annie,” or perhaps a wizard in “Harry Potter,” or a bunny in “Zootopia.” 

Our Mission Viejo location, Z Playhouse, is ideal for anyone searching for Dana Point summer camps, Laguna Niguel summer camps, Laguna Hills summer camps, San Juan Capistrano summer camps, Lake Forest summer camps, or other nearby cities. In addition to theater camp at our Mission Viejo location, we also host Newport Beach summer camps and Tustin summer camps.

We welcome kids (ages 5 ½ to 14) from anywhere in Orange County and beyond! Whether you are searching for Mission Viejo summer camps or camps in another nearby city, Acting Academy for Kids delivers an exciting array of weekly camps. Each week features a different musical, and all are full-day camps, running from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Our musical camp offerings vary from year to year, and each week features a different musical, such as “Tangled,” “Harry Potter,” “Wicked,” “Grease,” “Willy Wonka,” and other fun themes. Students spend their week singing and dancing and preparing for a special performance that takes place on the last day of camp.

We also provide a safe and supportive environment for your children. Every member of our staff has undergone a Live Scan background check and is first-aid certified. Our goal is to make every camp feel included, supported, and excited to participate. Whether your child is a seasoned performer or this is their first experience in the performing arts, kids always have a blast.

​To learn more about our Mission Viejo summer camps, as well as our Tustin and Newport Beach camps, head to https://www.actingacademyforkids.com/summer-camp.html.

​How Long Is Each Camp?

We offer ten weeks of acting summer camp, from June 8 to August 14. Each week features a different popular musical. Your child can attend just one week or sign up for multiple weeks to enjoy a variety of performances. 

Each camp runs from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Students hone their acting technique, dancing skills, and rehearse their parts Monday to Thursday, and we present a musical performance on Friday for family and friends.
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Where Are The Camps Located?​

We offer three amazing locations for our summer camps in Orange County CA, including Z Playhouse in Mission Viejo, Lyceum Village in Tustin, and the Newport Theatre Arts Center in Newport Beach. 

Whether you are searching for Irvine summer camps, Tustin summer camps, Mission Viejo summer camps, Aliso Viejo summer camps, Laguna Niguel summer camps, or perhaps Newport Beach summer camps, we have a location to suit just about every local family. ​

​For the 2026 Summer Season, our camp offerings include a unique mix of amazing musical theatre productions, including:

• Wicked - Your kids will have a blast belting out hits such as "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" in our kid-friendly version of this Tony award-winning, Oscar-nominated musical. This camp is so popular that we dedicate several weeks just to this musical.
  
  

• K Pop Demon Hunters - Rock out to some amazing K-Pop tunes from this recent Oscar winner, and help Huntrix save the world from Gwi-Ma, the king of the demons!
  
  

• Tangled - Oh Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair! This is one of our favorites, with great parts ranging from the title role to Mother Gothel, Flynn Ryder, Vlad, Pascal, Maximus, and more. 
  
  

• The Greatest Showman - This show is packed with amazing parts and fantastic music, including "The Greatest Show," "A Million Dreams," "Rewrite the Stars," and more. 
  
  

• Harry Potter - Something mysterious is happening at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, and whether you are cast as a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or a Hufflepuff, you'll have a blast and maybe learn a few potions and spells along the way.
  
  

• Zootopia 2 - Judy Hopps has finally fulfilled her dreams of becoming a police officer, but this bunny has her work cut out for her. Calling all bunnies, gazelles, foxes, lions, and other wildlife for this camp, which is always a favorite.