FAQs

Everything families want to know about children's theatre classes, performing arts training, summer camps, and youth theatre education at Theatre 360 in Pasadena, CA.

About Theatre 360

  • Theatre 360 is a children's theatre education program in Pasadena, California, offering professional performing arts training in acting, voice, and dance for students ages 3–19. Founded over 25 years ago, we are the only youth theatre program in Pasadena that puts education first, requiring students to develop real technique and skills before participating in productions.

    We serve families across the San Gabriel Valley, including Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, San Marino, South Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Arcadia, Glendale, Eagle Rock, and more!

  • Theatre 360 has been serving families in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley for over 25 years. In 2026, we're celebrating our 25th anniversary, a milestone that reflects our deep roots in this community and our lasting commitment to youth theatre education. Thousands of students have trained with us over the years, and many have gone on to professional careers in the performing arts.

  • Theatre 360 is the only children's theatre program in Pasadena that puts education before performance. Unlike pay-to-play programs where students are cast in shows without training, our students learn real technique in acting, voice, and dance before they take the stage.

    Every instructor holds a degree in the performing arts and has at least two years of experience teaching children. We maintain small class sizes so every student receives personalized attention and feedback. And our program grows with your child from age 3 to 19, one of the few youth theatres in the region offering that kind of long-term progression.

  • An education-first theatre program prioritizes teaching technique, craft, and skills before placing students in productions. At Theatre 360, students take structured acting, voice, and dance classes that build foundational abilities, things like audition technique, character development, vocal health, and stage presence.

    This is different from pay-to-play programs, where anyone can pay a fee to be cast in a show without formal training. Our approach ensures that when students do perform, they have the skills, confidence, and discipline to truly succeed, on stage and in life.

  • Pay-to-play programs charge a fee and cast every student in a show, often with minimal or no training. Students may have a great experience, but they don't necessarily learn the skills behind the performance.

    At Theatre 360, students learn real technique in acting, voice, and dance through structured classes before they participate in productions. Every student who takes the stage has earned that moment through preparation and growth. Families who come to us from pay-to-play programs consistently tell us their children learn more in one session at Theatre 360 than they did in years elsewhere.

Programs & Classes

  • Theatre 360 offers programs for children and teens ages 3 through 19. Our Itty Bitty Broadway program introduces preschoolers (ages 3–5) to the performing arts through play, music, and imagination. Acting, voice, and dance classes begin at age 6 with multiple levels through age 19. Our Theatre 360 Academy summer intensive is designed for serious students ages 13–19. Private coaching is available for all ages year-round.

  • We offer three core disciplines: acting (improv, scene study, monologue work, audition preparation, character development), voice and musical theatre (vocal technique, repertoire selection, musical theatre history, audition prep), and dance for musical theatre (ballet technique, jazz, musical theatre choreography).

    We also offer one-on-one private coaching for auditions, self-tapes, college audition preparation, and individualized skill development. All classes are taught by professional, degreed teaching artists with experience working with young performers.

  • No prior experience is needed. Theatre 360 welcomes students at every level. Our multi-level class structure means beginners start with the foundations and progress at their own pace. Whether your child has never been on a stage or has been performing for years, we meet them where they are and help them grow. Many of our most accomplished students started with zero experience.

  • Theatre 360 operates on a semester schedule. Our fall session runs from September through December (10–13 weeks) and our spring session runs from January through May (14–16 weeks). Summer camps run June through August in one- and two-week formats. We also offer a winter break camp in late December. Private coaching is available year-round by appointment.

  • Yes. Theatre 360 produces fully staged productions and end-of-session showcases where students apply the skills they've built in class. What makes our productions unique is that students also learn crew and strike — building sets, running tech, and taking down the show afterward. We're one of the only children's theatres in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area that teaches this. Learning every aspect of a production gives students a comprehensive understanding of theatre and builds responsibility, teamwork, and pride.

Summer & Seasonal Camps

  • Yes! Theatre 360 offers summer musical theatre camps for ages 3–19, all in Pasadena. ShowBiz Kids (ages 3–5) runs Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 12 PM, in one- and two-week sessions. Summer Camp (ages 6–16) runs Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 3 PM, in one- and two-week sessions and welcomes all experience levels. The Theatre 360 Academy (ages 13–19) is a two-week pre-professional intensive from 2–8 PM for intermediate and advanced students.

    All camps rotate through acting, voice, and dance training and conclude with a showcase performance for families.

  • Yes. Theatre 360 offers a winter break camp (typically four days in late December) and spring break programming during school holidays. These shorter camps give students a chance to stay creatively engaged, build skills, and have fun during school breaks, all while reinforcing real technique and teamwork.

Confidence, Growth, and Benefits

  • Theatre is one of the most effective confidence-building activities for kids. At Theatre 360, students build self-esteem through collaborative creative work, theatre games, scene study, ensemble singing, and group choreography, in a safe, supportive environment. Our small class sizes mean no child gets lost in the crowd, and teachers know every student by name.

    Many parents tell us their child went from avoiding eye contact to confidently presenting school projects, speaking up in class, and making new friends. The skills learned in theatre, presence, communication, teamwork, and resilience, carry into every area of a child's life.

  • Performing arts training develops far more than stage skills. Children who study theatre gain confidence, communication skills, empathy, discipline, focus, and the ability to collaborate. Research consistently shows that arts education improves academic performance, social-emotional development, and creative problem-solving.

    At Theatre 360, parents regularly report that their children become more accountable at school and home, better at conversations with peers and adults, and more self-assured in everything they do. As one parent put it: "The training at Theatre 360 shows up everywhere in our kids' lives."

  • Absolutely. Many of our students balance theatre with sports, academics, and other commitments. Our fall and spring sessions have consistent weekly schedules that families can plan around. We value commitment and preparation, but we also understand that kids have full lives. Theatre training actually complements other activities, the focus, discipline, teamwork, and time management skills students develop here help them succeed everywhere.

Instructors & Environment

  • Every Theatre 360 instructor holds a degree in the performing arts and has a minimum of two years of experience teaching children in their specialty area. Most have over ten years of prior teaching experience before joining our staff. Our teachers are also working professionals, actors, singers, and dancers who bring real-world industry knowledge into the classroom. They are passionate educators who chose to teach, not simply performers filling time between gigs.

  • Yes, and this is something we take seriously. Inclusivity is one of our core values. Theatre 360 is designed to be a place where every child feels seen, safe, and supported. Our small class sizes mean teachers can give personalized attention to each student. We celebrate effort and growth, not just talent. Many of our families say that Theatre 360 is the one place where their child truly feels they belong.

College Prep & Pre-Professional Training

  • Yes. Theatre 360 offers college audition coaching through private lessons and our Theatre 360 Academy summer intensive. Students receive guidance on monologue and song selection, audition technique, portfolio development, and application strategy. Our instructors have professional experience and understand what conservatories and college performing arts programs look for. Theatre 360 alumni have been accepted into top programs and have gone on to careers on Broadway and in national tours.

  • Theatre 360's New York City trip is an education-driven travel experience for students. Participants attend Broadway shows, take workshops with professional performers, go on backstage tours, and experience New York's theatre community firsthand. The trip is led by trusted Theatre 360 educators with an emphasis on safety, learning, and cultural enrichment. It's a curated educational experience designed to inspire students and deepen their connection to professional theatre, not a generic group tour.

Location & Enrollment

  • Theatre 360 is located in Pasadena, California, and draws students from across the San Gabriel Valley. Our families come from Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, San Marino, South Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Arcadia, Glendale, and surrounding communities. Families choose to make the drive because of the quality of our training and the strength of our community.

  • You can sign up for a trial class or enroll directly through our website. We offer trial classes so new families can experience the Theatre 360 difference before committing to a full session. If you have questions about which program is the right fit for your child, feel free to reach out, we're happy to help you find the best starting point.