Big voices.
Brave choices.
Real belonging.
Musical theatre, acting and imaginative play that help children become more confident, expressive and connected — from their very first class to a fully staged production.
Every child gets a part. Every child gets a bow.
Spring 2027
Annie Jr.
The sun'll come out… and so will your kid's confidence.
Annie Jr. is the young performers' version of the beloved Broadway musical. Set in 1930s New York, it follows a spunky orphan who escapes Miss Hannigan's orphanage, wins over billionaire Oliver Warbucks, and shows a whole city how to keep hoping when times are hard.
CTC students spend the spring rehearsing a fully staged production with singing, dancing, acting, costumes, a real stage, and a wireless mic for every performer. Everyone gets a part, and everyone gets a bow.
Find your group
Why we chose Annie
Grit & optimism
Annie is about finding your people and believing tomorrow is worth fighting for, even on the hardest day.
Built for an ensemble
Orphans, servants, New Yorkers and big group numbers mean many kids get meaningful stage time and a chance to shine together.
The Five C's
Every rehearsal builds Communication, Coordination, Concentration, Community and Confidence — life skills disguised as show tunes.
A classic for a reason
Grandparents know the songs, kids learn them quickly, and families leave the theatre humming.
Young Performers & Performance Program
1280 Old Skokie Valley Road
$40 per child · one-day clinic
Find your group
Three clear paths into Annie Jr.
Students choose the program that matches their age and stage of development. Each path is distinct, but all three share the same goal: meaningful participation, excellent instruction, and a performance experience every child can feel proud of.
Musical Theatre Tots
Preschool Ages 3.5+ / Preschool
Big imaginations. Little performers. Magical first moments onstage.
A joyful first introduction to theatre through singing, creative movement, storytelling, pretend play, costumes and theatre games. No pressure — just joy, confidence and belonging.
Performance: Saturday, April 17, 2027 · Sullivan Center – Vernon Hills · Time TBA
Young Performers
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Where big imaginations start becoming big performances.
The next step for children ready for more singing, dancing, acting and storytelling. Smaller groups give every performer meaningful stage time, room to develop a character and confidence without pressure to be "the best."
Performance: Saturday, April 17, 2027 · Sullivan Center – Vernon Hills · Time TBA
Performance Program
2nd–8th Grade
Full musical theatre production from first rehearsal to final bow.
For performers ready to dig deeper into acting, singing, choreography, character development, staging, vocal technique and ensemble performance. No previous theatre experience is necessary — just enthusiasm and creativity.
Performance: May 1 & May 2, 2027 · Footlik Theatre – Oakton College
No rehearsals during Spring Break, March 22–29, or Passover, April 21–22.
Community programs
More ways to join the show.
Annie Jr. groups and CTC theatre programming are also offered through local park districts and schools, with registration handled directly by each partner.
Vernon Hills Park District
Annie Jr.
Audition clinic
Monday, January 18, 2027 · 4:00–6:00 PM
Rehearsals begin
Monday, January 25, 2027
No class
Monday, March 22
Final performance
Monday, April 19, 2027
Norridge Park District
Annie Jr.
Weekly rehearsal
Fridays · 4:30–6:15 PM · Norridge Recreation Center – NRC East
Rehearsals
January 15–April 16, 2027
No class
Friday, March 26
Performance
Ridgewood High School · Date/Time TBA
Mundelein Park District
Annie Jr.
Program
Annie Jr. · Currently in progress
Registration
Handled directly by Mundelein Park District
Registration for this session has closed. The next session link will be posted here.
St. Isidore School · Bloomingdale
Annie Jr. · After-School
Program
Annie Jr. after-school theatre program
Registration
Open now through the Children's Theatre Company registration site
River Trails Park District
CTC Theatre Programming
Programs
CTC classes and productions through River Trails Park District
Registration
Handled by River Trails Park District · See the seasonal brochure
Beyond the traditional musical
Two more ways to grow.
Some children want deeper performance training. Others need a playful first doorway into theatre. CTC has a place for both.
Spotlight Collective
For performers ready to stretch, experiment, and step into the spotlight.
This advanced performance experience goes beyond rehearsing a traditional musical. The smaller ensemble digs deeper into acting, vocals, movement, solo work, scene study, Broadway repertoire and ensemble performance.
Students are encouraged to take creative risks, develop their individual voices and discover what makes them interesting performers. It's challenging, collaborative, creative and a little bit fearless — because becoming a stronger performer isn't about being louder. It's about learning to own the room.
Storybook Adventures
Open a book. Step inside. Become part of the story.
Favorite stories come off the page and into the room through drama, movement, music, imagination and creative play. Children might become the dragon, build the castle, cross an enchanted forest, invent a character, solve the problem or change the ending altogether.
There is no "right" way to perform. It's theatre without the pressure of mounting a traditional show — ideal for children who love to pretend, first-time performers and kids who may surprise everyone once their imagination takes over. Stories are just the beginning.
Once Upon a Screen
Acting for the camera, one scene at a time.
A weekly class at the CTC Annex in Highland Park for performers who want to work in front of a camera. Small groups, real scenes, and plenty of takes.
Tuesdays · 5:00–6:00 PM · View class & registerThe Five C's
Theatre is a full-brain activity.
Every class quietly develops five skills children carry into school, friendships, future work and everyday life.
Confidence
Take brave creative risks, use your voice and discover what you can do.
Communication
Speak clearly, listen closely, make eye contact and express ideas with intention.
Concentration
Remember lines, hit marks, follow cues and stay present through active rehearsal.
Coordination
Move with purpose and learn how individual choices support the whole ensemble.
Community
Cheer each other on, create together and discover the belonging of a cast.
Five programs. One philosophy. We use theatre to help children become more confident, creative, expressive, and connected.
Life at CTC
Where the memories live.
Warm-ups, choreography, costumes, storytelling, cast friendships and the electricity of show day — all the moments that turn a class into a community.
From first rehearsal to final applause, every performer has something worth celebrating.
Day Off Programs
One day. One stage. One adventure.
When school's out, the curtain goes up. Full-day theatre experiences where kids rehearse, build, and perform — all in a single day.
The Case of the Missing Trophy
Can Your Little Detective Crack the Case?
Someone stole the trophy — and it's up to your child to solve the mystery! In this imaginative, interactive theater adventure, kids become the cast of a whodunit mystery play, rehearsing and performing The Case of the Missing Trophy in one exciting day.
- Dive into a fun, age-appropriate mystery with twists and laughs
- Rehearse scenes, develop characters, and work as an ensemble
- Perform for family at the end of the day
- Practice listening, problem-solving, and creative thinking
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (No School Day)
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
JCC Northbrook
Grades K–3
What to bring
Sack lunch, water bottle, and comfortable clothes for movement
Price
$90
The Hero in You: A Musical Movie Adventure
School's out. Cameras on.
We're turning the Annex into a movie studio! A mysterious message arrives — the town's courage has gone missing — and our young stars must follow clues, dance through challenges, and sing their way to the rescue, discovering that kindness and teamwork are the greatest superpowers of all.
- Follow clues, dance through challenges, and sing your way to the rescue
- Every child gets a moment to shine in the spotlight
- Catch fun outtakes on the Annex screen during the day
- Every family receives a digital copy of the finished movie to keep and share
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 (Veterans Day · No School Day)
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
CTC Annex, 1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd., Highland Park
We're turning the Annex into a movie studio
What to bring
Peanut-free lunch and a labeled water bottle · Wear black pants or leggings and a white shirt
Price
$90
Grandparents Day: Knuffle Bunny Free
A Storybook Adventure
Bring Grandma and Grandpa to the Annex for a storybook adventure! Inspired by Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion, grandparents and grandchildren explore the story side by side through movement, imagination, and play. Every grandparent goes home with a special gift and a goodie bag to remember the day. (Hint: this one makes a wonderful early holiday present.)
- Bring your grandparents for a joyful adventure
- Explore the story together through movement, imagination, and play
- Every grandparent goes home with a special goodie bag
- A wonderful early holiday present for grandkids and grandparents alike
Sunday, November 22, 2026
11:10 AM – 12:10 PM
CTC Annex, 1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd., Highland Park
Grandparents & grandkids together
What to bring
Just bring Grandma and Grandpa — goodie bags are provided
Price
$25 per family
From Audition to Self-Tape
Helping Your Child Get Started in the Business
Does your child dream of professional acting, but you're not sure where to start? Think of this workshop as a map for a city you've never visited. In 60 minutes we'll show you where to find legitimate opportunities, how to spot red flags, how to read a casting breakdown, and what managers do (and don't do) — then we'll film a live self-tape demonstration so you can see exactly how it's done. Three perspectives, one practical hour: Margo (CTC founder & SAG-AFTRA member), Amy Walken (CTC instructor & young artist mentor), and Abbey, a parent who has guided her daughter through commercials, film, and TV. No industry experience needed — bring the questions you've been afraid to ask.
- Where to find legitimate opportunities
- How to recognize questionable opportunities
- How to read a casting breakdown
- How to decide whether a role fits your child
- What management does — and doesn't do
- Live self-tape demonstration and parent Q&A
Sunday, November 22, 2026
2:00 – 3:00 PM (60-minute live workshop)
CTC Annex, 1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd., Highland Park
For parents — kids and parents of all ages welcome
What to bring
$25 for currently registered CTC families · $75 for families not currently registered
Price
$25–$75
Movie Magic Lab
A STEAM Theatre Adventure!
Ever wonder how movies make actors fly, create enormous characters, produce mysterious sounds or transport us into completely different worlds? Join Children's Theatre Company for a one-of-a-kind day that combines STEAM, theatre, and movie-making! Young actors will experiment with special effects, green screen, lighting, sound, engineering, and camera tricks — then use everything they've discovered to create and star in their own original CTC movie.
- Experiment with special effects, green screen, lighting, sound, engineering, and camera tricks
- Create and star in their own original CTC movie
- Children won't just learn how movie magic works — they'll MAKE the magic themselves!
- Families will receive the finished Movie Magic Lab film following the program
Saturday, December 19, 2026
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
CTC Annex, 1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd., Highland Park, IL
Grades K–3
What to bring
Bring a lunch, snack, and imagination
Price
$99
Summer at CTC
Showstoppers Summer Camp
A one-of-a-kind summer theatre experience where young performers train, create, and shine — on stage and beyond.
Small camp. Big results.
Built for rising 2nd graders and older — the perfect step before overnight summer programs. Campers build skills, confidence, and friendships as they prepare for their final performance.
Location
CTC Annex
1280 Old Skokie Valley Rd., Highland Park
Ages
Rising 2nd graders and up (ages 5–10)
Maximum 20 campers
Activities
- Swimming & water activities
- Yoga, team sports & beach days
- Arts & crafts, science & podcasting
- A spectacular final performance
Tuition $2,240 · reserve your camper's spot with a $350 deposit today · $1,890 balance paid offline
The 2027 Showstoppers brochure
Everything about camp in one glance — the daily schedule, activities, session dates, and pricing. Share the flyer with family and friends who are ready for a summer on stage.
Final performance
Parent Reviews
What Parents Are Saying About Showstoppers
Theatre is Charlotte's happy place. We are so thankful you and Amy foster an environment she can thrive in.
Michelle
Showstoppers Parent
You did something so much bigger than just host a theatre camp — the way they bonded, had so much fun, and were so proud of their work was really special.
Lindsay
Showstoppers Parent
I loved the group of kids — all kind and supportive and talented in their own way.
Amy
Showstoppers Parent
Across Chicagoland
Find CTC near you.
Spring 2027 Annie Jr. groups and CTC programming are available across multiple community locations.
Find the right stage
for your child.
Choose the program that fits their age, schedule and comfort level — then let the rehearsal room do what it does best: turn imagination into confidence.