Imagine Performing Arts

Imagine Performing Arts is a theatrical education center that offers comprehensive performing arts programming for children ages 4-13 in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. The organization focuses on exposing students to all aspects of theatre through a collaborative, creative approach that encourages imagination and builds confidence.

The programming at Imagine Performing Arts centers on teaching basic theatre concepts while building performance skills through age-appropriate drama games, musical theatre training, and collaborative play creation. Students work with professional teaching artists to devise original plays, learn musical numbers from popular Broadway songs, design puppets, perfect fight choreography, and develop monologues. The curriculum emphasizes stimulating imagination, encouraging students to be in the moment, and building a strong theatrical foundation.

Imagine Performing Arts offers one-week theatre camps throughout the summer with over 20 different themes to choose from. Each camp session culminates in an informal presentation for parents at the end of the week where campers perform their devised stories. The organization also provides day-off camps for school holidays, weekly classes during the school year, after-school enrichment programs that can be brought directly to schools, and birthday party options.

The collaborative nature of theatre is central to the program’s philosophy, with students working together with peers, actors, directors, musicians, and designers. Beyond technical theatre skills, the program focuses on growing creative, confident, and empathetic young people while providing a safe space to explore their imaginations. Classes are held at The Edge Theater location on North Broadway Street.