As featured in Forbes, New York Magazine, and Edutopia: Whether your young person dreams of a career on stage or simply wants to join a joyful, supportive community, Child’s Play NY production classes offer a transformative experience and an artistic home. This season, young performers get to shine in Child’s Play NY production classes as they rehearse and stage fully produced shows, from the thrilling “Lion King Kids” and hilarious “Something Rotten Jr” to Shakespeare’s magical “Twelfth Night”. Guided by expert teaching artists, students build confidence, learn new skills, and band together as an ensemble as they bring beloved stories to life. With joyful, games-infused rehearsals that culminate in a triumphant performance, these classes are the perfect way for kids to grow as artists and collaborators. Register now and see why Child’s Play NY has been a beloved neighborhood theater program since 2009. Learn More and Register
Production classes take place weekly in Brooklyn Heights
- The Lion King Kids – Musical Production for Grades 1-3 | Tuesdays or Thursdays
- The Tempest – Shakespeare Production for Grades 3-5 | Sundays
- Legally Blonde Jr – Musical Production for Grades 4–6 | Mondays or Wednesdays
- Something Rotten Jr – Musical Production for Grades 6-8 | Sundays
- Twelfth Night – Shakespeare Production for Grades 6-8 | Tuesdays
A few sections are currently waitlist only. Register now as spots may open up as the season approaches.
What Makes Child’s Play NY Programming Special?
Our teaching artists hold MFAs and off-Broadway credits, and bring years of experience directing young people to our stages. Our rehearsal process is both thrilling and rigorous. Productions are capped at 12 students and led by dedicated teaching artists, with live musicians for our musicals and individualized coaching for our Shakespeare shows. Because we keep grade bands close and groups small, every teacher deeply knows every student, and casting is thoughtful and deliberate, with plenty of rich material for each performer to work with.
Weekly benchmarks of learning lines, choreography, and songs for the musicals, break down the monumental task of mounting a full production into achievable steps. Child’s Play NY’s signature improvisation exercises and research-backed theater games fuel creativity and encourage bold artistic choices. Each show is rehearsed and performed on a real stage, with simple costumes to bring excitement and joy to the culminating event. We’ve staged scores of productions since 2009 and are the chosen theater arts provider at top Brooklyn schools, including Packer Collegiate Institute, Berkeley Carroll School, PS8, PS29, PS58, PS11, PS10, PS154, Arts and Letters 305 United, Brooklyn New School, International School of Brooklyn and others in NYC. Child’s Play NY is led by founder Jocelyn Greene, who holds an MFA from NYU and has spent two decades directing young performers in LA and New York, with credits at the Public Theater and Shakespeare Festival/LA. Recognized by Forbes and NY Magazine as a kids’ theater expert and a frequent guest on education podcasts, Jocelyn now leads a team of 35 teaching artists, giving Child’s Play NY a depth of talent and expertise that make it a family favorite in Brooklyn.
What Parents Are Saying
“I can’t tell you how great we feel Child’s Play is and has been for our son. His dedication to rehearsal and what the memorization does for his brain are invaluable. I believe that Child’s Play has been enormously beneficial and I’m grateful for the space you and your artist teachers provide.” — Bobby Cannavale
“Child’s Play is magical! They nurture an environment that makes both Shakespearean plays and contemporary musicals fun and engaging. Our son absolutely loves it. His confidence and enthusiasm for imagination, language, and creativity has grown so much. We couldn’t be happier!” — Annaleigh Ashford and Joe Tapper
“Child’s Play introduces kids to the magic of theater– building confidence, a sense of community, and most importantly, just plain fun.” — Liz Meriwether
