The Importance of Theater in
Homeschool Curriculum

Arts education is an essential part of a well rounded homeschool curriculum. By developing their skills in acting, singing, and dancing, performers grow their socio-emotional skills while having fun with their peers! Here at First Act, we are excited to offer our Daytime Academy which provides homeschooled, alternative learning, and virtual learning students ages 5-12 the opportunity to perform The Lion King KIDS. These students will build confidence and self esteem, develop teamwork and collaboration skills, and foster community and friendships, all while portraying characters from this Disney classic!

First Act's 2018 Production of Lion King Jr.

Building Confidence and Self Esteem

Participating in theatre helps boost self-confidence and self-esteem. Performing in front of an audience, memorizing lines, and collaborating with fellow cast members all contribute to a sense of accomplishment and pride in one’s abilities.

Students who participate in Daytime Academy will audition, rehearse, and perform The Lion King KIDS, which will include delivering lines in front of their teachers and peers, and eventually, an audience. Whether they are Mufasa declaring that everything the light touches is his kingdom, or Timon and Pumbaa explaining the concept of “Hakuna Matata”, delivering these lines jumpstarts students’ public speaking skills.

Developing Teamwork and Collaboration Skills

Theatre is a collaborative art form that requires teamwork and cooperation. Young performers learn to work together towards a common goal, respect each other’s ideas, and support one another, fostering valuable interpersonal skills and empathy.

In Lion King KIDS rehearsals, students will learn songs and dances as an entire cast. They will work together to create a loud group sound by learning their words, rhythms, and melodies. They have to listen to one another to make a cohesive sound as an ensemble. Then, they’ll work together to learn dance numbers where they combine different choreography and formations to create engaging pictures on stage. Whether they’re a mighty lion or a tiny meerkat, each student has an important role to play in creating the end result!

Fostering Community and Friendships

Youth theatre brings together young people from diverse backgrounds and creates inclusive spaces where everyone is valued and respected. It fosters a sense of belonging and community, nurturing social connections and friendships that can last a lifetime.

At First Act, we are proud to provide excellent theatrical education in a Christian faith-based environment. We approach all of our instruction by making sure all children, regardless of ability level, are included! We embody this through our HEART program which allows students with developmental disabilities to participate in our classes, camps, and shows. Whether this is your first experience at First Act, or you’ve been around for years, we are a community ready to welcome you and your family!

First Act's 2025 Daytime Academy Production of Finding Nemo KIDS

What's Happening at First Act?

Praying with Hope for the Future

At First Act Theatre Arts, we are excited and prayerfully looking forward, with abundant hope, that our next home is becoming a reality. Throughout the next year of our Capital Campaign, it is imperative that we make this journey rooted in Christ and the purposes created for us.

High School Musical Jr. Director’s Letter

First Act’s Middle School Overnight Camp is always my favorite week of the summer. When I heard that High School Musical Jr. was our show this year, somehow my excitement for this week grew exponentially. My first camp experience with First Act was a High School Musical summer camp when I was five years old, and I cannot comprehend that I am now directing the musical with the same organization!

Nine to Five Director’s Letter

Before the 9 to 5 movie and musical we know and love, there was a movement that inspired both. 9to5 is an organization created in 1973 by clerical workers to respond to the inequities, unfairness, and outright harassment and discrimination they were experiencing in the workplace. These courageous, tenacious, and fierce women organized and banded together to advocate for themselves and for a better future for working women. 9to5 still exists today, fighting every day for equal wages, paid family leave, and a harassment-free workplace. Their work continues to advance racial and gender justice through community-led advocacy as they seek widespread, long-lasting change.