C.A.S.T. Program
Creative, Accepting, Sensory-Friendly Theatre (Grades 2-12)
C.A.S.T. is a year-round educational program dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other sensory sensitivities. The program is designed for children with ASD that would like to make new friends, explore deeper levels of communication and self-expression, creatively work on social skills, and develop acting skills and improvisation techniques.
What is C.A.S.T.?
Learn more about the program through our FAQs
From field trip performances to in-school residencies and summer camps, our education programs support both student growth and classroom goals. We partner with educators to make arts education inclusive, enriching, and fun.
C.A.S.T. Winter session registration opens November 11, 2025 at Noon.
Who?
Any child ages 7-17 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that would like to make new friends, explore deeper levels of communication and self expression, and creatively work on social skills through theatre arts.
What?
CAST is an educational program created by Stages Theatre Company in 2012 that is dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for children on the autism spectrum. Our goal is to foster self-expression, social engagement, creative exploration, perception development, and confidence in each of our students.
Why?
Theatre helps young people grow confidence and socialization skills. It helps develop a sense of self and an awareness of others. It gives young people a voice and the power to stand up in front of people to use it.
How?
CAST uses improvisational theatre games as its core to build relationships, build creativity, develop social skills, and find a sense of self in space. Each session, students attend a sensory-friendly performance of a Stages Theatre Company production together as a class, Additionally, students will make strides in communication with their peers. They will take ownership of the creative process by celebrating and emphasizing their individuality. At the end of each session students will share their original work, created collaboratively, in a performance for an invited audience of family and friends.
C.A.S.T. Winter session registration opens November 11, 2025 at Noon.
Registration
Class Locations
HOPKINS: Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins
Registration
ONLINE: https://my.stagestheatre.org/events?k=education
BY PHONE: 952-979-1111 , option 4
Full payment is due at the time of registration. Payment plans are available. There is a $5 handling fee added per student.
Tuition Assistance
Tuition assistance is available through our Open Door Program, we offer need-based tuition assistance for our fee-based programs, such as our School Year Programs, School Break Workshops, and C.A.S.T. program.
Tuition Assistance
For Classes & Workshops
Tuition Assistance is available through Stages Theatre Company’s Open Door Program. We offer need-based tuition assistance for our fee-based Education programs.
Space is held in every STC Class/Workshop for Tuition Assistance recipients.
Please complete the form below and click submit.
Questions?
EMAIL: ticketbooth@stagestheatre.org CALL: 952-979-1111
Connect with Us
Let’s Collaborate on Learning
Want to customize a program or learn more about opportunities for your students? We’re here to help you plan the perfect theatre education experience.