
CAST Program
Creative, Accepting, Sensory-Friendly Theatre
C.A.S.T. is an educational program by Stages Theatre Company 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.
Winter 2021 Class Information & Registration
COVID-19 Safety Procedures & Winter 2021 Class Structure
For more information about the safety policies and procedures Stages Theatre Company is implementing, please click here:
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
CAST (Ages 7-11) Winter Session HYBRID
1/30/21 - 3/20/21
Saturdays, 9:00AM-10:15AM
C.A.S.T. is an educational program by Stages Theatre Company 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.
HYBRID MODEL
Classes will rotate weekly between an in-person meeting, and a virtual meeting. In-person classes will be capped at 7 students.
CAST (Ages 12-17) Winter Session
1/30/21 – 3/20/21
Saturdays, 11:15AM-12:30PM
C.A.S.T. is an educational program by Stages Theatre Company 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.
HYBRID MODEL
Classes will rotate weekly between an in-person meeting, and a virtual meeting. In-person classes will be capped at 7 students.
For more information about the safety policies and procedures Stages Theatre Company is implementing, please click here:
VIRTUAL MODEL
Virtual Model: All Classes will take place virtually in a “Zoom” classroom.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!
Megan Collins, Conservatory Director
C.A.S.T. Program: COVID-19 Policies for In-Person Classes
Student and Staff safety is of utmost importance for all classes and productions at Stages Theatre Company.
Stages Theatre Company will be adhering to all requirements and recommendations given by the CDC, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education, and Executive Orders issued by Governor Tim Walz.
Stages Theatre Company will be tracking the amount of COVID-19 cases in Hennepin County, and reserves the right to transition in-person classes to virtual classes for the following reasons:
A refund will not be given should classes transition from in-person classes, to virtual classes for one of the reasons noted above.
Additional COVID-19 Safety Procedures
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MAKING ART PART OF THE PUZZLE SINCE 2012.
WHO: Any child ages 7-17 who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and would like to make new friends, explore deeper levels of communication and self expression, and creatively work on social skills.
WHAT: CAST is an educational program by Stages Theatre Company dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for children affected by autism. Our goal is to foster self-expression, social engagement, creative exploration, perception development, and confidence in each of our students, no matter where they land on the spectrum. Stages Theatre Company is ASD certified through Autism Society of Minnesota.”
WHY: The benefits of theatre are incredibly compatible to the deficits of autism. Theatre can do for a child with autism what it does for any child. It helps them to grow in confidence and socialization. It helps them develop a sense of themselves and an awareness of others around them. It gives them a voice and the power to stand up in front of people to use it. These are skills that any child can use as they navigate their lives. For children on the spectrum, the additional guidance and opportunity to work through social and public situations is a great supplement to their development, and in turn, their personal success.
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 will practice being excellent audience members at a Stages Theatre Company production, giving them the opportunity to see how professional theatre works. 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.
MEET THE STAFF OF CAST

Peter Morrow

Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha
CAST & SENSORY FRIENDLY PROGRAMMING IN THE NEWS
STAGES THEATRE COMPANY ADDS TO THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION
March 2017 – THE DRAMA TEACHER PODCAST
Theatre and Autism: How do you present a Sensory Friendly PerformanceSeptember 2016 – VSA INTERNATIONAL
5 Tips for Teaching Theater to Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Acting from the Outside InSeptember 2016 – VSA Webinar
Body, Voice, Imagination How Theatre Arts Curriculum Can Be Used to Overcome Barriers