Acting Academy for Kids & Teens

If you have a child with a flair for the dramatic, a love of music, or a dream of seeing themselves on the big screen, the Z Playhouse, home of Acting Academy for Kids & Teens in Mission Viejo, might be exactly what your family has been looking for. Founded with a passion for youth arts education, the Acting Academy for Kids (AA4K) has evolved into a thriving hub for young performers. With new programs in everything from musical theater to filmmaking, local directors and founders, Stephen & Maggie Zygo, are building something special for the next generation of artists.

Weeklong summer camps are an Orange County tradition, and AA4K’s start on June 8 at the Z Playhouse in Mission Viejo, the Lyceum Village in Irvine/Tustin, and for the second year, the scenic Newport Theatre Arts Center overlooking Newport Harbor. The Newport Beach location has two adjacent parks so kids get to run and play outside, too. This year, campers will sing and dance to junior arrangements inspired by K-Pop Demon Hunters, Wicked 1 and 2, Harry Potter, and Tangled, the beloved fairy tale musical that is getting a live action movie next summer. Spots fill up quickly, so register early.

High school teens can join the once weekly summer production of Mamma Mia! This program meets one day a week and performs for family and friends at the end of the summer.

Year-Round Programs
During the academic year, the Z Playhouse in Mission Viejo shifts to a trimester-style schedule with three full-scale teen musicals each year. Main Stage Musical performers ages 5-14 will keep their quarterly schedule, and both kids and teens have after-school programs year-round.

Safety You Can Count On
For parents, knowing their children are in safe, capable hands is non-negotiable. AA4K takes this seriously: all staff members are CPR/First Aid-certified and have passed thorough background checks. It’s the kind of peace of mind that lets kids focus on performing, and lets parents relax in the audience.

Lights, Camera, Action: Film Programs Come to Life
Stage acting isn’t the only avenue for young talent at AA4K. The organization has expanded into film-acting education into AA4K Studios, a distinct discipline from traditional theater, giving kids the chance to explore the nuances of performing on camera. Last year, numerous kids starred in a short film that screened at the
Regal Theater in Laguna Niguel and as an added bonus, earned IMDb credit to launch their film careers.

Bringing the Magic to School
Not every family can make it to a dedicated theater campus, so AA4K is coming to them. Through after-school musical partnerships, AA4K is a full-service provider of theatre programs at public schools, Charter Schools, private schools and home school co-ops. These programs give students a complete musical theater experience right in their own school community, removing barriers and bringing arts education to more kids than ever.

Competing on the Big Stage: Junior Theater Festival
For students 7-14 ready to take their skills to the next level, AA4K participates in the Junior Theater Festival (JTF) in Sacramento, one of the most prestigious youth musical theater competitions in the country. This year, over 4,000 kids from across the region performed 15-minute musical excerpts, judged by three industry professionals who evaluated choreography, performance quality, and overall execution. This year, the AA4K team came home with a Best Choreography award, a testament to the quality of instruction and the dedication of its young performers. There are also master classes, educator workshops, and detailed feedback from adjudicators, making the festival as much a learning experience as a competition.

And, Scene!
Whether your child dreams of performing on Broadway, starring in a film, or simply discovering a love of storytelling, Acting Academy for Kids offers a nurturing, professional, and fun environment to grow. With programs for all ages and skill levels, and a team that genuinely cares about every child’s experience, it’s one of Orange County’s most exciting destinations for young artists.

For more information or to register for summer programming, visit ActingAcademyForKids.com

Acting Academy for Kids & Teens
Ages 5-17
ActingAcademyForKids.com
949.427.0072