The Future Stars
Education Program
Since 1995, The Little Theatre On The Square has been bringing theatre, dance and music education to students K-12 in Central Illinois. We teach our students a performance based theatre education centered around technique and professionalism. Our students learn from professionals in the industry and walk away from our program with professional shows they can put on their resume. We welcome all students and work to empower them to be their genuine self and give them a safe space to grow as a performer and most importantly, a human being.
Fall 2025 Future Stars Program Classes
Drama Class
3rd - 5th Grade
Thursdays, 4:45 - 5:30pm, Sept. 11 - Oct. 16
Taught By Heather Dore' Johnson
This class will introduce young actors to the creative and fun world of theatrical performance. Students will explore improvisational acting games along with facial, physical & vocal warm-ups while gaining confidence in performing in front of their peers.
- $145 Per Student
Drama Class
6th - 8th Grade
Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:15 pm, Sept. 11 - Oct. 16
Taught By Heather Dore' Johnson
Students will explore the different elements of acting through improvisational exercises and acting games, which increase confidence, quick-thinking skills, stage presence, listening abilities, eye contact, and physical and vocal exploration within their own character choice(s).
- $145 Per Student
Drama Class
9th - 12th Grade
Thursdays, 6:15 - 7:15pm, Sept. 11 - Oct. 16
Taught By Heather Dore' Johnson
This is a performance-based class where students will build on basic acting skills. Students will have the opportunity for participation in a variety of drama activities, such as: vocal and physical warm-ups, monologues, character analysis, improvisational games and short scene work.
- $165 Per Student
Musical Theatre Dance Foundations: Level 1
Ages 9-13
Mondays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm, Sept. 8 - Oct. 13
Taught By Heather Dore' Johnson
Explore the foundations of dance technique and terminology with musical theatre style combinations. We will focus on skills, musicality, coordination, character, and the movements you’ll most likely encounter in an audition or a show setting. Participants must wear jazz shoes and dress comfortably for dancing.
- $145 Per Student
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Musical Theatre Dance Foundations: Level 2
Ages 14-18
Mondays, 6:00 - 7:15 pm, Sept. 8 - Oct. 13
Taught By Heather Dore' Johnson
Explore the foundations of dance technique and terminology with musical theatre style combinations. We will focus on skills, musicality, coordination, character, and the movements you’ll most likely encounter in an audition or a show setting. Participants must wear jazz shoes and dress comfortably for dancing.
- $165 Per Student
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Musical Theatre Tap: Level 1
Ages 9-13
Saturdays, 1:30-2:30 pm, Sept. 13 - Oct. 18
Taught By Katie Engler
A 6-week course for the beginner musical theatre tapper. You'll build a comprehensive vocabulary of basic tap terminology, learn fundamentals of tap technique, and begin linking these concepts through short musical theatre tap combinations from some of your favorite Broadway musicals. Must provide own tap shoes.
- $145 Per Student
Musical Theatre Tap: Level 2
Ages 14-18
Sundays 4:15 - 5:30 pm, Sept. 14 - Oct. 19
Taught By Katie Engler
A 6-week course for the beginner/intermediate musical theatre tapper. You'll build a comprehensive vocabulary of basic tap terminology, learn fundamentals of tap technique with an emphasis on rhythm and musicality, and begin linking these concepts through short musical theatre tap combinations from some of your favorite Broadway musicals. Must provide own tap shoes.
- $165 Per Student
Adult Tap for Beginners
Adults 18 and up
Thursdays 7:15 - 8 pm Sept. 25 - Oct. 16
Taught By Katie Engler
A fun, low-stakes intro to tap class for the beginning adult tapper! You'll learn the basics of tap terminology, fundamental tap technique, and work your way to linking these concepts through a short and fun musical theatre tap combination by the end of the course. No previous tap experience required. Must provide own tap shoes.
- $100 Per Student
MORE CLASSES COMING SOON
Theatre Craft Class - Tech
Grades 3-12
DATES TBD
Taught By Heather Dore' Johnson
A six-week series of classes to expose students interested in exploring technical theatre and the creative departments within. This would act more as a hands-on immersive style of class or demo-lecture style of class, each taught by a professional from our staff.
GOALS: Expose students to the crafts of theatre in sound design, lighting design, properties design, costume design & sewing, stage makeup instruction, wig design, scenic design, paint instruction, and many more.
Introduce students to the importance of all elements of theatre, not just the performance aspect and how they contribute as equally as the performers on the stage.
Create a hands-on, tangible experience in a variety of settings to encourage thought, interest and respect for the different elements that make a theatre function successfully.
Auditions Workshop
Grades 3-12
Saturday & Sunday January 3 & 4, 2026
Taught By Heather Dore' Johnson & Katie Engler
Explore the foundations of dance technique and terminology with musical theatre style combinations. We will focus on skills, musicality, coordination, character, and the movements you’ll most likely encounter in an audition or a show setting. Participants must wear jazz shoes and dress comfortably for dancing.
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Voice Lessons & Private Dance Classes
Interested in taking voice lessons or Private Tap Classes? Contact Katie Engler, katie.engler@thelittletheatre.org.
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Interested in taking Private Dance Classes? Contact Heather Dore' Johnson
Meet Our Staff
We are so excited to bring working professionals to our program to work with our students. Take a look at our 2025-2026 Teaching Staff
