musical theater

Our Theater Philosophy: Process Over Product

At Art House, our theater program isn’t just about putting on shows — it’s about education. While our productions are always fabulous, our first priority is nurturing young artists and helping them understand what it truly means to make theater.

Our mission at Art House has always been to bring high-quality, affordable visual and performing arts education for all ages and abilities to Astoria. That mission shines especially bright in our theater program.

When our students move into production classes, they work toward a show — usually a JR production (a one-hour, age-appropriate version of a musical). But our focus goes far beyond the final performance. Every step of the process is a learning opportunity.

We cap our production classes at 20–22 students because we believe in quality over quantity. Smaller classes mean that every student receives meaningful attention, whether they have a leading role or are part of the ensemble. We don’t believe in “big roles” and “small roles” — every role is important.

During rehearsals, students are constantly engaged. When they’re not onstage, they might be:

• Exploring their characters through study worksheets

• Writing their actor bios (an essential professional skill)

• Running lines with a partner (which builds both skill and teamwork)

• Observing peers and learning from what they see onstage

As a musician and educator, I can attest that some of the most valuable learning happens by watching others — seeing different interpretations, approaches, and problem-solving in real time.

We are also proud to offer students the chance to work with live musicians. Whether that’s a piano accompanist in our younger classes or a full ensemble for older students, we believe it’s an essential part of a true theatrical education. Professional theater uses live music — and so do we.

Our students also benefit from working with incredible teaching artists and guest professionals. We collaborate with Broadway performers, directors who have worked nationally and internationally, and visiting artists who bring real-world experience into the classroom. Guest artists have included Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief composer), Joe Iconis (Be More Chill composer), Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (Sesame Street puppeteer), and Kelvin Moon Loh (SpongeBob SquarePants, Beetlejuice) — just to name a few.

While we love what JR shows have to offer, we’re not just cranking out one after another. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to develop curious, confident, and capable young performers. For us, the real “product” isn’t just the show — it’s the students who grow through the process.