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.
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.
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.
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.
The Details
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How Does Casting Work?
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.
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.
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.
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.
What Makes Acting Academy for Kids Unique?
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.
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.
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