C.A.S.T. Program

Creative, Accepting, Sensory-Friendly Theatre

(Grades 4-12)

C.A.S.T. (Grades 4-12)


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.

C.A.S.T. Grades 4-6

Tuition: $230.00 (includes $5 handling fee)
Location: PiM Arts High School
Saturdays, October 5 – November 23 from 9am-10:30am


C.A.S.T. Grades 7-12

Tuition: $230.00 (includes $5 handling fee)
Location: PiM Arts High School
Saturdays, October 5 – November 23 from 11am-12:30pm

 

New to C.A.S.T.?

Email Education Registrar Elinor Jones for more information.

 



QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!


Megan Collins, Education Director
EMAIL CALL 952-979-1117
 

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.

REGISTRATION


CLASS LOCATIONS


HOPKINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS – 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343


REGISTRATION:


ONLINE: STAGESTHEATRE.ORG
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. Please fill out the Tuition Assistance Application via the button below.
Tuition Assistance Application

C.A.S.T. Education Programs

2022 School Year Safety Policies & Procedures

 

Stages Theatre Company will continue to follow the advice and guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC.  The safety & well-being of our students, staff and teaching artists is our top priority, and we reserve the right to change our protocols if community levels of COVID-19 rise in our area.

 

FACE MASKS


Masks are optional for all Education Programs & Classes at this time.  Stages Theatre Company Education Programs will follow the updated guidelines regarding face masks put forth by the MDH & CDC.  Stages Theatre Company will not be checking students vaccination status at this time.

POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES


If your student tests positive for COVID-19 while enrolled in a class, please notify Stages Education Director, Megan Collins, as soon as possible.  If you your student tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, they will be required to stay home for at least 5 days.

CLOSE CONTACT PROTOCOLS:


Your family will be notified by a Stages staff member if your student is a close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.  Students do not need to quarantine and can return to class, regardless of vaccination status.  Students will be required to wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days following the close contact exposure.

STUDENT HEALTH


Students who are sick are kindly asked to stay home to help mitigate the spread of illness and germs.  If your student is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, they will NOT be permitted in class, without proof of a negative test, regardless of vaccination status.

 

Contact Megan Collins, Education Director, at mcollins@stagestheatre.org or (952)979-1117 if you have any questions or concerns.

 

DROP OFF 


We will begin checking students in NO EARLIER than 10 MINUTES prior to class start.

  1. Students should be dropped off at the Main Entrance of the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
  2.  Please park and walk your student into the building.
  3.  A brief COVID screening questionnaire will be completed each day at drop off;  students with COVID-19 symptoms will not permitted in class regardless of vaccination status. Please stay home if your student is sick.
  4. Our staff will walk students into the classroom to begin class!

**Emergency Contact numbers will also be confirmed on Day 1** 

 

Please Note: We will NOT be allowing adults to enter the building during drop off and pick up as a COVID-19 safety protocol. 

 

PICK UP 


Pick up will begin promptly at the end of class.

Students can be picked up in the main lobby of the Hopkins Center for the Arts.

Please Note: We will NOT be inviting parents in for the last 5-10 minutes of class as we have in past years due to COVID-19 mitigation policies.

 

CONTACT US 


  • Change in Pick-Up Schedule: Inform us of early pick-ups, appointments, etc. at DROP OFF. 
  • During Class Time: 952-979-1123. If there is no answer, please leave a message and someone will get back to your shortly.  

 

POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES 


If a student, faculty member, intern or staff person tests positive for COVID-19 your family will be notified by a Stages staff member. 

  • Classes with a close contact exposure will temporarily transition to a virtual platform to allow for the appropriate quarantine period per the Minnesota Department of Health’s current recommendation.  

 

LAST DAY SHARING 


Stages Theatre Company continues to closely monitor COVID-19 recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health and the CDC. Last Day Sharing specifics will be published and sent to families 2 weeks prior to the last day of class.  

 

CANCELLATION POLICY 


You may cancel your workshop at any point, for any reason by Friday, September 10th and receive a full refund – minus the $5 handling fee. Call the Box Office at 952-979-1111, option 4. 

 

TUITION ASSISTANCE
FOR CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Through our Open Door Program, we offer need-based tuition assistance for our fee-based programs, such as our Winter and Summer Theatre workshops, Creative Play Academy and Acting Conservatory.
For more information about free or reduced cost tickets, bus subsidies and Tuition Assistance contact us at (952) 979-1111 or email opendoorprogram@stagestheatre.org
Please fill out the Tuition Assistance Application via the button below.