Category Archives: Youth Theatre

November 3, 2026 · 4:38 pm

Acting Up Presents ROCK OF AGES (Teen Edition) This Weekend Only

ACTING UP BRINGS BIG HAIR, BIG HITS AND BIG ENERGY TO THE STAGE WITH ROCK OF AGES: TEEN EDITION

Young performers from across Greater Cincinnati take audiences on a high-energy trip back to the 1980s, November 6–8 at Mason High School

MASON, OHIO — Get ready to turn up the volume! Acting Up Young Performers Community Theatre will bring the electrifying sounds, outrageous fashion and larger-than-life attitude of the 1980s to the stage with Rock of Ages: Teen Edition, THIS WEEKEND ONLY at the Mason High School Theater.

Featuring a cast of approximately 50 talented young performers ages 10–18 from communities throughout Greater Cincinnati, this high-energy musical celebrates the era when rock ruled the airwaves, guitar solos went to 11, and the hair was bigger than ever.

Based on the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical, Rock of Ages: Teen Edition features the iconic rock anthems of the 1980s, with music from legendary bands and artists including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more. Audiences can expect an unforgettable combination of music, comedy, romance and plenty of rock ’n’ roll attitude.

Under the direction of Caleb Redslob, the production stars:

  • Elise Hartmann of Mason as Stacee Jax

  • Hannah Wasz of Milford as Sherrie

  • Ezra Tyo of Milford as Drew

  • Joslynn Klotz of Milford as Lonny

  • Lucas Maritato of West Chester as Dennis

FOUR PERFORMANCES — ONE EPIC ROCK WEEKEND

Friday, November 6 — 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 7 — 2:00 PM (ASL interpreter provided)
Saturday, November 7 — 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 8 — 2:00 PM

All performances will be held at the Mason High School Theater, 6100 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio.

Tickets are just $15 and are available online at ActingUp.com or at the theater box office beginning one hour before each performance. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more attending the same performance and purchasing tickets together.

MORE THAN A SHOW

For Acting Up, a production is about more than what happens on stage.

Recently celebrating its 20th anniversary, Acting Up Young Performers Community Theatre was founded in Mason to give young people throughout the area opportunities to explore and develop their talents in all aspects of theater arts.

The organization is powered by dedicated volunteers and strives to create both an exceptional theatrical production and a meaningful educational experience for every participant. Acting Up believes that every young performer is an integral part of the creative process, while encouraging families and the broader community to be involved along the way.

Through each production, Acting Up seeks to provide young people with an enjoyable, educational and enriching theater experience, while building teamwork, confidence, community and a passion for the performing arts.

With a cast of 50 young performers, a beloved catalog of classic rock hits and one unforgettable weekend, Rock of Ages: Teen Edition promises to be a celebration of everything that makes live theater—and rock ’n’ roll—so much fun.

For tickets and more information:
ActingUp.com
ActingUp@ActingUp.com

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August 20, 2026 · 7:18 pm

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON JR at Town Hall Theatre Runs Sept. 18-Oct. 4

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON The Musical Jr.
Town Hall Theatre
Sept. 18-Oct. 4
[Centerville]

Based on the DreamWorks Animation hit, How to Train Your Dragon Jr. brings fire-breathing action, epic adventure and big laughs to the stage. Hiccup is a young Viking who defies tradition and befriends one of his deadliest foes 0 a ferocious dragon he call Toothless. Together, the unlikely heroes fight against the odds to save both their worlds.

  • Fri, Sept. 18 at 7pm (Fire cast)
  • Sat, Sept. 19 at 3pm (Fire cast)
  • Sun, Sept. 20 at 3pm (Flight cast)
  • Fri, Sept. 25 at 7pm (Fire cast)
  • Sat, Sept. 26 at 11am – Sensory Friendly Performance (Flight cast) 
  • Sat, Sept. 26 at 3pm (Fire cast)
  • Sun, Sept. 27 at 3pm (Flight cast)
  • Fri, Oct. 2 at 7pm (Flight cast)
  • Sat. Oct. 3 at 3pm (Fire cast)
  • Sun, Oct. 4 at 3pm (Flight cast) 

Official page | Facebook event |

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August 19, 2026 · 6:17 pm

CCM Prep Classes Available for Grades 3-7

COME TRAIN AT CCM PREP

Does your 3rd-7th grade child like to sing, dance and act? Well then, they belong in our Musical Theatre Apprentice Cohort! We designed our Apprentice Cohort to cultivate young, talented performers into confident individuals! Through the magic of song, dance, and acting, plus supportive collaboration, students will develop teamwork, public speaking, and creative thinking skills while building self-esteem. Each week, experienced professional musical theatre, acting, and dance instructors will teach the art of auditioning, memorization, vocal technique, choreography, character development, and improvisation. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or new to the arts, our program will help empower the natural storyteller in your child. So, join us, and let’s make some magic together!

On the first day of class, registered students will meet in 3640 Corbett Center to participate in a “diagnostic” or placement. For MT Vocal Tech, they will be required to go through some harmony holding and solo singing with the teachers. For MT Dance, they will go through a dance class that evaluates their technical foundation up to that point, as well as their ability to pick up choreography. For Actjng, they will participate in acting exercises that allow our instructors to gauge their experience, confidence, maturity, skill, etc. After this initial class, our teachers will then divide students into with the SPOTLIGHT group or the OVATION group. The SPOTLIGHT classes will function as more of introductory exploration and work to nurture a love for the art form. The OVATION classes will function as more challenging, in-depth exploration and work to push students who are ready and looking for a true pre-professional experience. Age, maturity, experience, skill, as well as other factors will all play a part in how students are divided. We are confident that by providing two differing “tracks” for our MTAC cohort, we will be better able to serve each student and promote their growth and success.

Register for all three classes to get a bundled class discount (all should be in your registration cart at the same time to activate the discount).

Acting for the Stage

Students will be encouraged to expand on their performance skills to create characters with depth and motivation, work as an ensemble and individually, and use their basic knowledge of theatre vocabulary to interpret the essentials of a scene. Movement will also be a big part of this class. In this discipline, actors practice exercises, explorations and improvisations that improve their physical storytelling and practice their ability to transform into different characters. In movement classes we also practice the observation of the world around you and actor research by moving the body. Each student will leave the class with new skills and ready to take on their next performance!

  • Suggested Ages: 8-13 years old
  • Grades: 3-8 graders
  • Attire: Comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement.
  • Faculty: Ria Villaver-Collins OR Deondra Means

Musical Theatre Apprentice Cohort Bundled Discount: This class is part of the Musical Theatre Apprentice Cohort. Students registered in all three of the classes listed below will receive a bundled discount when registering:

Musical Theatre Dance

The classes develop the “dancing actor” by working on characterization through movement and choreography. Classes consist of a jazz or ballet warm-up, floor stretches, isolations and center combinations incorporating jazz, tap, ballet, folk, social/partner and lyrical dance steps in forms that are frequently used in musical theatre productions and plays. 

  • Attire: Dance appropriate clothing that doesn’t restrict movement
  • Hair: All hair should be styled up
  • Grades: 3-8 graders
  • Suggested Ages: 8-13
  • Faculty: Karie-Lee Dentino OR Jon Caspian

Musical Theatre Apprentice Cohort Bundled Discount: This class is part of the Musical Theatre Apprentice Cohort. Students registered in all three of the classes listed below will receive a bundled discount when registering:

Musical Theatre Techniques

Do you have a child who loves to sing and dance? Or a child who wants to come out of their shell? In this class, we will use theatre techniques like group sing-a-longs, dancing, and tongue twisters to help students become more confident speaking in a group setting while making friends! This musical theatre class combines singing, acting and musical theatre dance, promoting confidence, discipline, basic vocal technique, improvisation ability, and teaching young performers all about life on the stage! 

  • Attire: Dance appropriate clothing that doesn’t restrict movement
  • Hair: All hair should be styled up
  • Grades: 3-8 graders
  • Suggested Ages: 8-13
  • Faculty: Xan Jeffery or Elijah Medsker

Musical Theatre Apprentice Cohort Bundled Discount: This class is part of the Musical Theatre Apprentice Cohort. Students registered in all three of the classes listed below will receive a bundled discount when registering:

Additionally, award-winning composer David Kisor (you may have seen his work at The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati or The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati) will be workshopping one of his brand new musicals with members of our apprentice cohort during classes that will culminate in a filmed performance of the piece! This is such an incredible opportunity for our young performers and we couldn’t be more excited about it! 
 
Registration is now open and we hope to see you again at CCM Prep this year! See the link below:

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June 17, 2026 · 5:06 pm

THE JUNGLE BOOK at Loveland Stage Company Runs July 16-19

THE JUNGLE BOOK
Loveland Stage Company
July 16-19
[Loveland]

Directed by Erica Mann

The Jungle Book follows Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves who believes he belongs to the jungle. When he learns he is human, Mowgli must decide where he truly belongs while learning the Law of the Jungle and facing the fearsome Shere Khan. This adventurous, heart-filled story explores bravery, identity, and the meaning of home.

  • Thu-Fri, July 16-17 at 7pm
  • Sat, July 18 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, July 19 at 2pm

Official page | 

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June 17, 2026 · 5:05 pm

CHILDREN OF EDEN JR at Loveland Stage Company Runs July 9-12

CHILDREN OF EDEN JR
Loveland Stage Company
July 9-12
[Loveland]

Directed by Jessica Bailey

A heartfelt musical retelling of the first nine chapters of the Book of Genesis, bringing to life the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and Noah’s Ark. Through powerful music and storytelling, the show explores timeless themes of family, faith, forgiveness, free will, and the often-complicated relationships between parents and children.

  • Thu-Fri, July 9-10 at 7pm
  • Sat, July 11 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, July 12 at 2pm

Official page | 

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