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ADULT CLASSES

AGES 18+

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The best actors never stop learning! Continue honing your skills in the theater with classes at Metropolitan Performing Arts. Get ready for your upcoming audition with our Audition and Performance Prep class. Learn a new skill to add to your resume in Beginning Silks & Aerials or Stage Combat. 

If you've always wanted to be on the stage, join us in Tap for Adults or Beginning Acting for Adults. If you want to learn more about how to work behind-the-curtain, Tech classes are available to learn everything from sound boards to makeup design.  

Class
Day
Time
Age Range
Teacher
BIGMprov
SUN
5 - 6 PM
18+
Holly & Kris
Audition and Performance Prep*
MON
7:00 PM
18+
Bryce, Kris
Basic Theater Tech
WED
6:00 PM
10+
Taron
Beginner Silk/Aerial, Tightrope and Tumbling
TUES
7:30 PM
10+
Will
Beginning Acting for Adults
MON
6:00 PM
18+
Dylan
Broadway Movement
MON
5:00 PM
16+
Shannon
Directing*
TUES
7:30 PM
14+
Kris
Language of Music
MON
6:00 PM
16+
Alex
Open Stages Acting and Improv
THUR
3:30 PM
18+
Performance Conditioning Wednesday
WED
7:15 PM
11+
Shannon
Performance Conditioning - Saturday
SAT
12 noon
11+
Shannon
Script Writing
MON
7:00 PM
12+
Stage Combat 2
SAT
11:00 AM
10+
Matthew
Tap 3
WED
8:15 PM
12+
Shannon
Tap for Adults
THUR
8:00 PM
16+
Shannon
Tech Mentorship Program
SUN
Noon
12-18
Kris & guests
Technical Theater 1 Costume/Props/Makeup
WED
6:00 PM
13+
Taron
Technical Theater 2 Set/Lighting/Sound
WED
8:00 PM
14+
Taron, James
Technical Theater 3 Stage Management/Publicity and Marketing/Production Management*
TUES
7:30 PM
13+
Taron

* Class unavailable for Fall Term, Registration for Winter term will open on November 15, 2025

ADULT CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

BIGMprov

BIGMprov is an Improvisational Theater Program to own one's personal energy (Your BIG ME) , Inspire passionate speaking and collaboration, and engage any audience. It's trajectory: building the comfort of YOU improving, the trust of improving together, and the proficiency of improving with an audience. This class is for adults of all levels. The final session will be an improv show where students can invite friends and families.

Basic Theater Tech

Students will cover the basics of Set design, Scene painting, Costume design, lighting design, props design, sound design, and stage management. Students will learn and create a prop, costume plot, basic tool safety skills, color spectrum for lights, create a sound effect, to take blocking notes, and much more. This is an entry level class to start in the MPA tech certificate program.

Beginning Acting for Adults

Beginning Acting for Adults is an introductory acting course where participants learn about the foundation of acting. Participants explore different aspects of theatre such as character creation, scene work, improvisation, physical theatre, storytelling, and more. Perfect for beginner Adult students or Actors that want to refresh their skills.

Directing*

Students should have completed Acting Studies and Basic Theater Tech to enroll in this class. This is a year long class. Students will focus on script analysis, creating movement, history of the director, types of staging, stages and communication. Students will be challenged to take a text and create a world of the play, blocking, and design. Students will work with set pieces, conflict ideas and stage blocking movements to understand how to create pictures and character flow in order to tell the playwright's story. In addition, there will be work with specific tasks that will help scene pacing and creativity. Through in-class exercises, practice, instructor and peer feedback, students will actively direct a 10 minute play that will be performed towards the end of the year. Students will also work on how to run rehearsals, production meetings, communication with actors, a design team and blocking. Students will be challenged to take their text from the previous term and put all the tools that they have learned into practice. They will get the experience to fully rehearse and realize the play. Students will get a chance to rehearse outside of class with their actors by signing up for time slots in the theater, green room, or dance studio. This class can be retaken as many times as you want!

Open Stages Acting and Improv

An 8 week program that runs twice a year for Adults that celebrates the creativity and voices of neurodivergent individuals through the performing arts. This class is a fun and creative way to work on confidence, quick thinking, and your imagination. Through games, acting lessons, and character/story creation, students will be invited to explore improvisational acting in a safe and inclusive environment.

Performance Conditioning - Saturday

Get your body performance-ready in a class focusing on strength and stamina. Through a combination of stretching, cardio, and various strength training, you will be ready to be the best you can be!

Stage Combat 2

If you have had Stage Combat 1 or want to take both classes concurrently to develop additional weapons skills, this class is for you. Dive into Rapier and Rapier Dagger fighting while learning footwork, parry, thrust and much more. Work in teams to create and perfect your sword fighting skills. Classes will consist of training with weapons, working on technique, and selling the fight on stage.

Tap for Adults

Have you ever wanted to tap dance but never learned as a kid? Are you an adult that used to tap and wants to again? Are you an adult or teen that taps already but wants a fun class that works at your level? Well Adult Tap is for you!! This fun and supportive class will adjust to your level and is a great way to continue your tap studies, brush off your tap shoes, dance for exercise or to learn a new skill.

Technical Theater 1 Costume/Props/Makeup

In this class students will learn about color theory and era fashions. They will also learn techniques for how to create moods and styles based on the characters' costume design. Learn the basics of costume design for a play or musical based on the script needs and how to communicate with a director. Students will help with Costume design for the teen conservatory play.

Technical Theater 3 Stage Management/Publicity and Marketing/Production Management*

Learn the basics of stage management. Learn organizational skills, scheduling, how to run a mock production meeting, Call a Mock show and much more.

Audition and Performance Prep*

Audition/Performance prep is for students that would like to work shop specific monologues or songs for performances, auditions, or just for fun. If you would like to prepare for your next audition and get live coaching, if you are interested in perfecting your next karaoke night performance, or workshopping a song or monologue for a recital, open mic, or performance this is the perfect class for you. There is no prerequisite and students can take this class as often as they like.

Beginner Silk/Aerial, Tightrope and Tumbling

This class lets you bring out your inner trapeze artist. You will learn aerial silks, tight rope walking, tumbling, and more. Come soar through the theater and learn a new and fun skill set! This class culminates in a showcase during the final class for your family. Take this as many times as you like to continue to build your skills.

Broadway Movement

Students will focus on learning proper dance techniques while exploring various dance styles such as; learning Broadway numbers, across the floor exercises and a high-heel how-to class! This fast-paced and fun dance class will focus on building confidence as a performer and developing knowledge of all dance types. For all levels

Language of Music

Learning the building blocks of music through understanding scales, aural skills, sight reading, and more. Alex will break down the more difficult aspects of music theory into bite size chunks that are more accessible for all. You will learn to level up your music reading skills, music comprehension, and feel more confident with your next audition and role. These skills will help you get hired for your next gig. So join us in this creative class and unlock the secrets of music.

Performance Conditioning Wednesday

Get your body performance-ready in a class focusing on strength and stamina. Through a combination of stretching, cardio, and various strength training, you will be ready to be the best you can be!

Script Writing

In this class students will delve into the world of play writing. Students will learn basic skills in developing their own texts (scripts) with each other. They will have the opportunity to be the playwrights, the directors, and the actors. By working together as an ensemble, students will have the chance to tell their own stories! It's a fantastic creative outlet for those wanting to see their imaginations come to life on stage. At the end of term we will showcase the works of the students in a staged reading for parents and guardians.

Tap 3

An advanced tap class designed to develop rhythm, style, and sound. Exercises focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. The class emphasis is on developing proper tap techniques and producing clear tap sounds. This class can be retaken as often as students like.

Tech Mentorship Program

A Technical Theater training program. Students signed up for this class will have taken basic technical theater classes first. Students will meet twice a month with the Education Director to chat about their focus, what they have learned and for guidance in their field of interest. Students will then pick a focus for the next show that they can work on and they will shadow the professional designer for that show. Each student should have one credit (shows worked) in each technical theater focus, plus additional credits of their choosing in Sound, Lights, Set/Scenic/Projections, Costumes, Stage Management, and Props. After completing a design shadow in a specific field, the student can then apply to design their own Broadway Jr. or Off Broadway showcase. After their 6 credits are completed (they could earn up to 5 credits a year if they want) they can then choose to specialize in a particular area. The program is completed when a student has graduated high school and they will be acknowledged and given a certificate with their credits and specialization. This program looks great on a resume.

Technical Theater 2 Set/Lighting/Sound

Learn how to successfully use a variety of power tools, design a set for a musical, drafting techniques and build a mini flat. All in three months.
MPA Theater Company
Little Shop of Horrors Performances: October 10 - 26

Community Theater
As You Like It Performances: June 27 - July 19, 2026
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As You Like It

Develop a new skill or hone your craft. MPA offers a large variety of private lessons in acting, voice, piano, dance, guitar & More!

See the Private lessons page for more information. 

Various Timeslots

FINANCIAL POLICIES & SCHOLARSHIPS

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Metropolitan Performing Arts
6403 E Mill Plain Blvd

Vancouver, WA 98661

Program supported in part by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission

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