Registration Now Open!
THE TEMPEST | ages 12+
A magical tale of betrayal, redemption, and forgiveness, The Tempest follows the exiled sorcerer Prospero as he conjures a powerful storm to bring his enemies to a mysterious island where spirits, romance, and long-buried secrets collide. Shakespeare’s enchanting final play blends humor, wonder, and humanity in a story about letting go of vengeance and choosing compassion instead.
The Tempest explores timeless themes like justice, forgiveness, and the transformative power of art and imagination. Filled with shipwrecks, magic, and memorable characters, the play invites audiences into a world where reconciliation becomes possible and new beginnings emerge from chaos — a reason why it continues to captivate audiences of every generation.
The STAGES Acting Ensemble is an acting and ensemble-building program for students (ages 12+) culminating in a fully-staged presentation of one full-length classical or contemporary (non-musical) play each season. Acting Ensemble students form a tight-knit performance company, experimenting with different acting methods and techniques, and ultimately working together to discuss, cast, and design their production under the mentorship of STAGES teaching artists.
The Acting Ensemble is a program that spans nearly all of the 2026-27 school year. Students will meet once-weekly in the fall semester and twice-weekly in the winter/spring semester to learn about the history, characters, and contextualization of THE TEMPEST, while learning how to interpret, adapt, and perform Shakespearean works. Students will also participate in foundational ensemble-building activities before the show is cast in December. Performances will take place in April 2027. (FULL SCHEDULE DETAILS ARE BELOW)
Read on below for more information about the Acting Ensemble, including more logistical details, program information, and how to register. Contact us any time with questions!
ABOUT THE ACTING ENSEMBLE
Frequently Asked Questions!
What does the Ensemble do? First and foremost, Acting Ensemble members work together to form a tight-knit group of players, capable of taking on many different types of performance challenges, and working toward the goal of a polished, fully-staged production at the end of the school year. Unlike other STAGES programs, the Ensemble format accommodates more interaction with the STAGES acting and design Teaching Artists, affording students a more in-depth stewardship of directing and design concepts for their show.
Throughout the two-semester program, Members also receive instruction and advice through a series of workshops delivered by guest speakers from the Portland community, with expertise in theater, or subject matter relevant to the current season’s play. Past workshop topics have included language and verse, historical context, fight choreography, dialects and accents, and various arts, crafts, and design demonstrations and hands-on projects.
How much acting experience do Ensemble members need in order to participate? All experience levels are welcome — and NO experience is required! Any relevant instruction or training will be provided as part of the production process.
What if students have other after-school activities that conflict with ACTING ENSEMBLE rehearsals? Students are asked to prioritize their commitment to the Acting Ensemble program. While a handful of absences throughout the school year are to be expected, ongoing or extended absences create logistical and morale challenges for other students, and stress on the production process in general. If a student is a three-season athlete, or plans to participate in their high school theater program with a conflicting rehearsal schedule, we request that you take the time to consider – before registering – whether or not a full commitment can be made to the STAGES program.
Is it possible to participate in both the Acting Ensemble and other STAGES programs? Yes. It would be possible for one student to participate in additional STAGES programs or lessons if desired and the schedules align. Families should review the schedule detail for all programs before deciding how to proceed.
My student would be a great fit for this program but is not quite 12 years old yet. Can you make an exception? If a student’s 12th birthday takes place before November 15, 2026, STAGES will consider these requests. Registrations for students falling outside of the program age range will need to be handled by STAGES, as our registration system will not permit you to do so on your own. STAGES provides production opportunities and other theater programs for kids under the age of 12 – please visit our programming page for more information!
Do you have more questions about the Acting Ensemble? contact us any time!
Schedule & Registration Details
The Acting Ensemble is a two-semester program, meeting once-weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00PM-8:00PM from October 6 to December 8, 2026; and twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00PM-8:00PM, from January 5 2027 to April 8, 2027.
The Ensemble will NOT MEET on the following dates: the week of November 23, 2026 (Thanksgiving Week), between December 15-31, 2026 (Winter Recess), The week of February 17, 2027 (February School Vacation Week); and March 9, 2027 (first night of Eid-al-Fitr).
There will be additional/extended rehearsals during the week of April 5, 2027, with performances taking place the weekend of April 9, 2027. All students enrolled in the Acting Ensemble MUST be able to be fully present for rehearsals and performances from April 5 – April 11, 2027. The final performance schedule will be released in early fall 2026.
Tuition: $805.00 for this 2-semester program. Payment installment options are available. Please plan accordingly – all STAGES Tuition Deposits are Non-Refundable, except in the form of an account credit to be used toward future programs. Financial Assistance is available.
Celebrating 17 Seasons of Acting Ensemble at STAGES!
DREAM – 2021
OF WINDSOR – 2014
NOTHING – 2011
DREAM – 2010
“STAGES got me more interested in theater! Everybody’s nice, you get to make friends, it’s like a family! When I was 10, I didn’t know what it would be like on stage. But when I finally got up on there with confidence, there was a spark in me. The more shows I was in, the more… Continue reading Sarah Krause, STAGES Alum
“STAGES brings together people who may not have met otherwise and allows kids to develop the skills to make friends in a setting outside of school. Without theater, some of my dearest friends would be strangers to me.”