RITZ STAGE STARZ
Engage. Educate. Empower.
Ritz Stage Starz is the celebrated Youth Theatre Initiative of The Ritz Theatre Company, offering dynamic, year-round programming designed to ignite a lifelong passion for the performing arts. Through hands-on experience in acting, singing, dancing, and behind-the-scenes production, young performers are given the tools to grow as artists — and as individuals.
With a focus on creativity, collaboration, and confidence-building, Stage Starz empowers students to take center stage in a supportive, professional theatre environment. Whether stepping into the spotlight or working as part of a team, every participant is encouraged to explore their voice and share their story.
Join the Ritz Stage Starz family — where the next generation of theatre artists begin their journey. Our 2026 season continues with our Fall Workshop Week, our first-ever Fall Musical Theatre Club, and our much-anticipated production of ANNIE JR.!
We have brand-new social pages! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest and greatest in relation to Ritz Stage Starz!
RITZ STAGE STARZ FALL WORKSHOPS ARE HERE!
Ready to take your theatre skills beyond the stage? This September, Ritz Stage Starz is bringing four exciting workshops to The Ritz, each led by a talented guest artist and designed to help students explore new areas of theatre, sharpen their skills, and discover something new about their craft.
FOSSE FUNDAMENTALS
Monday, September 14 • Guest Artist: Allison Korn
Explore the iconic style of Bob Fosse through technique, history, and movement! Students will learn the fundamentals of Fosse’s signature style, discover the history behind his groundbreaking choreography, and put it all into practice by learning a piece of classic Fosse repertoire.
✍️ PLAYWRIGHT’S PLAYGROUND
Tuesday, September 15 • Guest Artist: Amber Kusching
The Playwright’s Playground invites students to explore the exciting world of playwriting! Through creative games, collaborative activities, and hands-on writing, students will learn to build characters, craft conflict, create unique worlds, and write their own original scenes.
SCRIPT DETECTIVES
Tuesday, September 15 • Guest Artist: Zachary R Taylor
Script Detectives: A Script Analysis Workshop gives students the tools to dig beneath the surface of dramatic text. Through exploring structure, character, context, subtext, and playwright’s intent, students will learn to break down scenes and turn the words on the page into playable choices.
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA
Thursday, September 17 • Guest Artist: Melissa Connell
Step in front of the lens and discover what makes on-camera acting different from (and similar to) theatre! Students will explore commercial and film techniques, learn why less is often more, master eye lines and audition technique, and perfect a confident, professional slate.
Each workshop offers separate sessions for Grades 5–8 and Grades 9–12, with the exception of Script Detectives, which is one session for Grades 8–12.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! Space is limited, so don’t wait!
FALL MUSICAL THEATRE CLUB
Go beyond the stage and discover the art of musical theatre in a whole new way!
The Ritz Stage Starz Fall Musical Theatre Club is an immersive exploration of three remarkable musicals over six weeks. Every two-week session takes a deep dive into a different show through script and song study, dramaturgy, group discussion, collaborative studio activities, and/or performance exploration. Rather than rehearsing for a public performance, students will explore what makes each musical unique while expanding their knowledge and appreciation of the art form. Whether you’re discovering a hidden gem or revisiting a classic with fresh eyes, Musical Theatre Club is the perfect place to broaden your theatrical horizons.
No auditions. No pressure. No public performance. Just six weeks of discovering great musicals in a fun, collaborative studio environment.
For this first outing, we will be studying THE FANTASTICKS, GYPSY, and THE OUTSIDERS.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
PLEASE NOTE: As of 8/24, THE OUTSIDERS session is FULL.
2ND ANNUAL FMILY NIGHT
Monday, October 19th @ 7 PM
Complimentary Event (RSVPs requested)
THE OLYMPIANS
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: YOUTH EDITION
ATYPICAL BOY
DISNEY’S DARE TO DREAM JR.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
PLUS, a special sneak peek of our season finale: ANNIE JR.!
ANNIE JR.
November 13-14, 2026
Grades 3-8
Directed by Kacy Hofstetter
Music Direction by Nick French
Choreography by Lindsey Krier Repici
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE JR. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.
ALL ENROLLMENT SLOTS HAVE BEEN FILLED BY CURRENT STUDENTS.