Below you will find policies regarding classes, productions, and camps.
Please contact the associated staff member with any questions or concerns.
Classes & Day Camps – Michelle Evans – michelle@firstactkc.org
Productions & Production Camps – Jana Latchaw Milbourn – jana@firstactkc.org
Financial & Payment Plans – Chrissi Edwards – chrissi@firstactkc.org
All of our behavior policies can be found in our Code of Conduct.
Please review it with your students so that they understand their expectations.
Student Age Policy
Our classes, shows, troupes, and camps are targeted for youth participation.
For productions, if a student is seven at the time of auditions but will turn eight by the time of performances, they are eligible to audition for that production.
Students are eligible to participate in our programming if they have not yet completed High School. (The only exception to this rule is our High School Drama and Overnight Camps the summer after graduation.)
We encourage students to explore our Apprenticeship Program, which is available for students ages 16-20.
Family Multiple Class Discount Policy
2 Classes – $50 Off
3 Classes – $75 Off
4+ Classes – $100 Off
Daytime Academy and Private Acting and Vocal Lessons are excluded from this discount.
Discounts will be automatically applied when you enroll online.
While we think our tuition is a great value, we understand that it can be a daunting amount, especially for families that have multiple children in the program. If you would like to discuss special arrangements/payment plan options, please contact Chrissi Edwards at the First Act office at (913) 681-3318.
Class Attendance Policy
If your student will miss class, email michelle@firstactkc.org or call the office at 913-681-3318 by 4:00 the day of the class. If your student will miss a dance class email liz@firstactkc.org. If your child is ill, keep them home. There are no refunds for missed classes.
Class Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather and/or poor road conditions, classes/rehearsals may be canceled for the safety of our students. Many times the weather may be dangerous in the mornings, but by class/rehearsal time, road conditions are fine. A decision will be made at least 2 hours before the start of the event regarding any cancellation of activities. If class/rehearsal is canceled for any reason, an email will be sent to all participants. For after-school timed events, updates can also be found on First Act KC’s Facebook and Instagram pages. We always encourage checking our social media for the most up-to-date cancellation information.
If programming is being held offsite at a third party location and the third party chooses to close due to inclement weather, we will cancel all programming scheduled at that venue.
PLEASE NOTE: First Act Theatre Arts does not make up classes nor do we credit, refund, or pro-rate tuition for classes canceled due to inclement weather.
Class Refund Policy
You may drop a class through the first week of the class session and receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee. After the conclusion of the first class week, no refunds will be given.
Dance Studio Attire Policies
First Act Dance Studio strives to create a safe and professional environment for dancers to work and learn.
In order to do this, the following guidelines have been established:
Read this document for more information about specific class’s requirements.
First Act’s first priority is to ensure the safety of all students and staff in their interactions with one another. To that end, the following procedures must be followed when attending private lessons within the instructor’s home:
In the event of a need for cancellation, students should contact their teacher via their preferred communication method. If the teacher cannot be reached, contact Vocal Studio Director, Margaret Jordahl at margaret@firstactkc.org for Voice Lessons or Acting Studio Director Molly Stasieluk at molly@firstactkc.org for Acting Lessons. Unless it is in the case of an emergency (illness, family emergency, etc.), 24 hour notice must be given to be considered for a makeup lesson. All makeup lessons must be complete by the end of the semester.
No refunds will be given for cancellations.
Production Attendance Policy
An unexcused absence is defined as the following: any absence from a rehearsal not indicated on the conflict sheet at the time of auditions for any reason other than sickness or family emergency. Please note that absences communicated AFTER the cast list has been posted will be considered unexcused unless they are for sickness or family emergency.
Students who arrive more than 30 minutes past their call time may receive an unexcused absence.
When a student has 2 unexcused absences, the directing team reserves the right to remove that student from a scene or song in the show.
When a student has 3 unexcused absences, they may be dropped from the show. Any appeals must be made to the Director of Artistic Productions.
Any student with 5 or more absences (~25% of the rehearsal process) listed on their conflict sheet will not be considered for a lead role in the show.
Tech Week Absences (starting on Move-in Sunday and continuing until the close of the show) are only allowed with prior approval from the Director of Artistic Productions at the time of auditions. Without prior approval, First Act reserves the right to remove said student from the show.
If a student misses a performance, they will be immediately removed from the show and will not perform in the remainder of the production. Sickness and Family Emergency are exceptions to this rule.
Please note: multiple unexcused absences may affect future casting opportunities.
Production Illness Policy
In order to have productive rehearsals, each student needs to be well enough to fully participate. If your student is sick or contagious with fever, strep throat, Covid-19, conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), Chicken Pox, flu, lice, rash or a cold with excessive sneezing or coughing, keep them home. Please make sure your student is free of contagious illness for 24 hours before returning to rehearsals.
If your student needs to miss a rehearsal due to illness, they must notify the Production Coordinator as soon as possible to be excused. If your student misses rehearsal more than two times due to illness, it will be evaluated by the artistic team whether they will need to be pulled from a scene. This is not a punishment; it is the nature of the pace of our rehearsal schedule.
Production Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather and/or poor road conditions, classes/rehearsals may be canceled for the safety of our students. Many times the weather may be dangerous in the mornings, but by class/rehearsal time, road conditions are fine. A decision will be made by 3 p.m. regarding any cancellation of evening activities. If class/rehearsal is canceled for any reason, an email will be sent to all participants. Updates can also be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
If rehearsals are being held offsite at a third party location and the third party chooses to close due to inclement weather, we will cancel all rehearsals scheduled at that venue.
Choosing to Drop a Show Policy
It is the policy of First Act Theatre Arts that if an actor auditions for a show and is cast, they must accept the role they are given. That actor will also NOT be considered for a lead role in the next production they audition for. In addition, this action may be considered in future casting decisions and any written references. Not only is dropping a show unprofessional, it is disrespectful to the directors and cast members.
Parent Committee Policy
Parent commitment is a vital part of the First Act process. All participating students must have a parent or guardian contribute approximately 20 hours on a parent committee of their choice throughout the rehearsal and show process.
To learn more about our parent committees, visit our Production FAQ page.
Ticket Policy
It is First Act’s policy to not cancel shows for any reason. If guests choose not to attend a show they have tickets for, no refunds or exchanges will be provided.
On the very rare occasion when First Act Theatre Arts must cancel a show due to inclement weather, guests may exchange their tickets at no charge for another performance of the same show or get credit towards another show within the same season. To exchange tickets for another performance of the same show, guests will need to present their canceled tickets at the theatre box office before their preferred performance. The request will be accommodated as long as there are tickets available. The theatre box office opens one hour prior to performance. If a guest chooses to get credit towards another show, they must call the First Act Theatre Arts Box Office within 30 days of the cancelled performance.
For any other ticketing related questions or concerns, please contact Chrissi Edwards at chrissi@firstactkc.org or 913-681-3318.
Day Camp Cancellation Policy
You may receive a full refund of your registration fee (less a $25 processing fee) up to two weeks before the first day of camp. If you decide to withdraw from a camp less than two weeks before the first day of camp, we can offer you a credit towards a future First Act class or camp. Unfortunately, we cannot offer any credits/refunds/make-ups/pro-rated fees for missed days of camp.
There is no charge if a camper needs to change their enrollment to a different week of camp if space is available.
Overnight Camp Payment Policy
There is a $100 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your space in Middle School and High School Overnight Camps. Please call the office at (913) 681-3318 if you would like to enroll by paying this deposit.
Camps must be paid in full by June 30th. After June 30th, please make note that no refunds are given.
Drama Camp Payment Policies
An audition is required for the Performance Section of Drama Camp. There will be a limited number of students cast. Therefore, each student will be charged a $25 deposit. Full tuition will be assessed after the show has been cast.
Campers may register at any time for the Behind the Scenes section of Drama Camp as long as space remains. A $100 deposit is required to reserve a space. Tuition is due after the show has been cast. Students who audition for Drama Camp but are not cast are welcome and encouraged to enroll in Behind the Scenes Camp.
Camp Discount Policy
A $10 discount is available for day camps if paid in full before the Early Bird deadline (March 4th, 2026).
A $55 discount is available for production camps if we receive your deposit before the Early Bird deadline (March 4th, 2026).
Class Payment Policy
Class tuition must be paid in full or have a payment plan in place before the start of the next semester. All outstanding balances (including payment plans) must be paid in full by the end of First Act’s fiscal year, on July 31st. No new enrollments will be allowed with outstanding balances.
Production Fee ($250) Policy
Production Fees must be paid in full or a payment plan must be in place by the production deadline. If neither of these steps are taken, First Act reserves the right to remove a student from the production.
Production Fees must be paid in full before a student auditions for the next production. If a payment plan is still in process, a families’ outstanding balance due to First Act must be under $500 in order to be eligible to audition.
Production Camp Tuition Policy
Tuition must be paid in full or a payment plan must be in place by July 1st in order for students to participate in production camps.
If neither of these steps are taken, First Act reserves the right to remove a student from the production.
Scholarship Policy
We are excited to offer multiple scholarship opportunities. For more information, please visit our Scholarships page.
