FAQ

Musical Theatre Workshops (MTW) stands out by valuing the entire journey of theatre education. Beginning with weekly classes in acting, singing, dancing, and other techniques throughout the school year, MTW emphasizes learning and growth through classroom instruction, rehearsals and various performance opportunities. The journey culminates in a final production and other showcases, such as participation in events like The Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival and a Winter Showcase. 

MTW’s instructors, who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their teaching, ensure that each step—from initial learning through rehearsal to the final performance—is a meaningful and enriching experience that showcases students’ dedication and progress.

Choosing the right class for your child at Musical Theatre Workshops is important, and we’re here to help! Our classes are primarily based on age, with a focus on providing appropriate training and techniques for each age group. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

• Pre-Musical Theatre & Musical Theatre 1: These classes are perfect for beginners and children with some experience who are 10 years old or younger. Both classes are 60 minutes long. If your child is brand new to theatre/drama classes, we recommend starting with Pre-Musical Theatre or MT 1.

• Musical Theatre 2: This class caters to a wider age range (8-15 years old) and runs for 90 minutes. It’s ideal for beginner and intermediate students. The diverse age range allows us to teach a variety of techniques while grouping students by age for material and training that best suits them. Many students remain in MT 2 for a few years to build their skills before moving up to Musical Theatre 3 or Musical Theatre 4.

• Musical Theatre 3 & 4: These are more advanced classes that require a recommendation or placement by the Director. They are designed for students who have developed a strong foundation in theatre and are ready to take their skills to the next level. If your student is new to MTW and has had previous theatre training or experience, and you would like them considered for placement in MT 3 or 4, please give us a call to schedule a placement audition. You can reach Ms. Mickey at 706-231-1759.

Our instructors also use the first few weeks of class to observe how students are adjusting and progressing. If we believe your child would benefit from a different class, we will suggest a move to ensure they get the most out of their experience with us. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance. 

We often get asked why we don’t announce our shows before the start of the season. At Musical Theatre Workshops, we prioritize training and education over the production itself. Our focus is on providing our students with a comprehensive theatre education, where they can develop their skills in acting, singing, choreography, and performance techniques.

By keeping our show selection flexible, we can tailor our choices to the unique strengths and interests of each class. This approach allows us to select the perfect production that will challenge and showcase our students’ talents while ensuring an enjoyable and educational experience for everyone. The show is a means to put their training to the test and highlight the progress they’ve made throughout the season.

Our spring production dates are dependent on the availability of venues, and we start booking them at the beginning of the season. This is why we cannot provide specific dates yet. However, we aim to produce our shows between March and late April. Once we have confirmed the venue, we will announce the exact dates.

We also offer other performance opportunities throughout the year, to include the Arts in the heart of Augusta Festival in September, and a Winter Showcase in December.

Yes, we do hold auditions for our shows! However, our auditions are closed, meaning only registered students can audition. Auditions are not required unless a student wants to try for a principal or key role. That said, we encourage everyone to participate in auditions as part of their learning experience.

Learning about the audition process is an integral part of the training at MTW. Regular participation in auditions helps students build confidence and develop essential skills. This experience will also prepare them for auditions outside of MTW, such as those for school or community theatre productions.

We understand that not every child is interested in singing and dancing. That’s why we offer an Acting Only class that meets for half the year and focuses solely on acting techniques. This class culminates in an end-of-semester showcase, allowing students to develop and display their acting skills without the pressure of musical performance.  For those who want a broader experience, students can enroll in both the Acting  and Musical Theatre classes. This allows them to develop a diverse set of skills in a supportive and balanced environment.

Absolutely! Enrolling a shy child in our classes can be very beneficial. Our supportive and nurturing environment helps students build confidence and develop social skills at their own pace. Through activities like acting exercises, improvisation, and ensemble work, children learn to express themselves and gain self-assurance. Many of our students start out shy and blossom over time. Our experienced instructors are skilled at creating a welcoming atmosphere where every child can thrive.

Normally, we do not allow parents to observe classes. We believe it’s important for children to have time to get comfortable with the instructor, their surroundings, and their fellow students without the added pressure of an audience. This approach helps foster a more relaxed and creative environment where students can focus on learning and building their confidence. However, we do provide opportunities for parents to see their child’s progress through scheduled showcases and performances.  You are welcome to remain in our lobby during your child’s classtime, or drop off and pick them up when class is over.

Registration for our classes opens at the beginning of June and will remain open until the class is filled or the beginning of October, whichever occurs first. Classes begin in mid-August, and most of them fill up before the season starts. However, we do maintain a waitlist for those who are unable to secure a spot initially. 

If you miss the initial registration window, it’s sometimes possible to join the season after October, depending on the class you’re wishing to join, so please reach out just in case.

A production fee covers the costs associated with putting on a show, including licensing, renting the venue, sets, props, and other production expenses. This fee helps ensure our productions are of the highest quality, providing a professional and enriching experience for all our students.  The production fee is only required for Musical Theatre students and is due by Dec 1.  This fee can be split up into smaller payments, or paid in full on or before Dec 1. 

For more details, please visit our registration page.