Special Actors – Musical Theater classes for special needs.

Come to The Center and be yourself!

For 43 years, the Center has offered performing arts classes for students with special needs of all kinds, ages 7 – adult. These classes are offered on Friday evenings throughout the school year and are intended to spark creativity, self-confidence, social interaction, and positive self-esteem through singing, acting and dancing.

Reach high. Never stop.

Join our warm, inclusive group of actors, singers, and dancers with special needs. You’ll be surrounded by friends, family, and caring, professional teachers and student aides who will help focus on your abilities and help them grow. Each ensemble will perform at our year-end performance – a joyful night of fun and entertainment for the community that showcases all you’ve accomplished!

MUSICAL THEATER: Ages 7 – ADULT

Working in age-appropriate groups, you will work with a team of teachers and student aides, following a musical theater format. You will learn through vocal warm-ups, songs, dance, interpretive movements, and theatrical games. And then you’ll bring it all together at a year-end performance that’s open to family, friends and the community.

KDKA Kidsburgh Highlights Special Actors Program

The Special Actors Program at CTA received a visit from the local CBS affiliate, KDKA, who interviewed the dedicated parents and their children. The weekly segment, Kidsburgh, highlighted the significance of this important curriculum to our students and their families. Check out the full story for more details.

Watch the Story

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  • Tuition for school year classes is per 15-week semester.
  • Classes run for 2 semesters, for a combined 30 weeks over the school year.
  • We recommend enrolling in both semesters. This will allow them to participate in the end-of-year showcase and ensure that they have a spot in Semester 2. Payment plans are available.

SEMESTER DATES

  • Semester 1: September 3rd – December 21, 2024
    • No class Monday September 2nd – will make up on Monday, November 25
    • FALL BREAK classes November 26 – November 30

WINTER BREAK: CTA CLOSED DECEMBER 22, 2024 – JANUARY 5, 2025

  • Semester 2: January 6 – April 25, 2025
    • SPRING BREAK April 14-19

CULMINATING EXPERIENCES

  • Semester 1 culminates with Visitors’ Week – a chance for family and friends to attend class and gain insight into the process and see a small in-class performance.
  • Semester 2 culminates with Showcase Weeks. Each class will have a performance for family and friends. Voice, Performance Workshop, Special Actors’ programs, all Junior Division classes, and all dance classes will perform their showcases at Mellon Middle School during our final week of class. Acting and Musical Theater classes will have their performances at the CTA during the second to last week of class.
  • Performance Workshop Semester 1 students are guaranteed a spot in Semester 2, unless they notify us. Students wishing to only enroll in Semester 2 for Performance Workshop are subject to availability and may be joining a class where rehearsal for the final performance has already begun.

Available Special Actors Classes

Be sure to register for Semester 1 & 2 under sessions to ensure your child can participate for the full school year.

“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield” has provided funding and become a program partner to this very special program.

 

Grants that fund our Special Actors programs:

  • Earl Knudsen Charitable Foundation
  • The Edith Trees Foundation
  • The McSwigan Family Foundation
  • The Dollar Bank Foundation
  • Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • The Earl Knudsen Charitable Foundation
  • The FISA Foundation
  • The United Way contributions
  • Broadway Cares-Quality of Life Grant
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