
A CREATIVE PLAY EXPERIENCE FOR KIDS AGES 5-7
RESEARCH AND CARE FOR ANIMALS & HABITATS!
A NEW RESCUE MISSION EACH CLASS!
PET VETS!
for ages 5-6 (school year) and 6-7 (summer camp)
PET VET classes & camps are immersive, hands-on, role-playing/theater experiences designed to meet Early-Elementary kids exactly where they’re at – building skills in story-building, problem-solving, teamwork, character creation, and foundational theater concepts.
In PET VETS, your student joins a team of research veterinarians assigned to a unique animal rescue experience in each class. Based on original, episodic storylines created by STAGES Teaching Artists, PET VETS learn about the unique characteristics of animals and their habitats, and then use their knowledge to search for, rescue/rehabilitate, and release their new animal friends! Both narrative and interactive, PET VETS classes provide opportunities for students to actively participate in the adventure in variety of ways, including:
- Role-playing PET-VET scientists (and also interacting with fellow team members in the rescue adventure)!
- Engaging with objects, accessories, scenery in support of the rescue adventure (all items provided)!
- Utilizing new scientific knowledge/facts to make hypotheses and decisions about how to proceed with the rescue operation.
- Reflecting on each rescue experience to learn how to protect and advocate for the animals and places on our beautiful planet!
There is no formal “performance” element in PET VETS – each series will conclude in a short invited sharing experience for family!
Zero theater experience is required to join PET VETS! Students are expected to arrive with nothing but their creativity, enthusiasm, and willingness to PLAY! Additionally, there are no expectations of memorization, intensive reading, or playwriting – all activities accommodate the early social and literacy-building skills found in this age group.
If you have any questions about whether the program is a good fit for your student, do not hesitate to contact us!
UPCOMING PET VET ADVENTURES!
AGES 5-6

PET VETS – THE SAHARA DESERT!
(at STAGES Youth Theater)
Join the PET VETS team and receive a map to your next assignment — this time in the Sahara Desert! Meet up with your team leaders, receive your supplies, and set out to help the animals living in one of the dryest, hottest, places on Earth! The story continues each week with a new animal rescue adventure! Do you have what it takes to be a PET VET?!
WEDNESDAYS
4:00pm-4:45pm
Mar 1-Apr 12
Tuition: $95
Note: There will be NO classes on March 22 (first night of Ramadan) and April 5 (first night of Passover). This class meets at STAGES Youth Theater in Portland
GRADES K & 1st

PET VETS – TROPICAL RAINFOREST
(at Breakwater School)
Join the PET VETS team and receive a map to your next assignment — this time in the Tropical Rainforest! Meet up with your team leaders, receive your supplies, and set out to help the animals living in one of the most biodiverse places on our planet! The story continues each week with a new animal rescue adventure! Do you have what it takes to be a PET VET?!
THURSDAYS
3:45pm-4:45pm
Feb 27-Apr 14
Note: This session of PET VETS takes place as part of the AfterCare & Enrichment program at Breakwater School.
Registration questions should be directed to Breakwater!
SUMMER 2023 PET VET DAY CAMP PROGRAMS (ages 6-7)
STAGES is pleased to be offering four PET VET half-day daycamp programs for kids ages 6-7 this summer — including three 3-day camps, and one full-week camp option. For more information about the summer program, including these PET VET programs, please visit our summer camp page!

THE MAINE
WOODS
June 21-June 23

THE GREAT
BARRIER REEF
June 26-June 28

THE AUSTRALIAN
OUTBACK
July 5-July 7

ENDANGERED
SPECIES
August 21-August 25
Please note: We hope and expect to be able to hold these programs in our theater during the school year. We also acknowledge the COVID-19 pandemic is still evolving in ways we cannot predict. In the event of a pandemic-related or other disruption that would make in-person rehearsals and performances impossible, this program will transition seamlessly (in whole or in part) to an online format with a digital presentation.
WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS PROGRAM IF YOU/YOUR STUDENT ARE UNWILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ONLINE FORMAT SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. There will be NO refunds for this program unless it is formally and fully cancelled (without in-person or online options) for any reason.
“STAGES allowed me to be creative, and to be myself, and for that I’m eternally grateful.”
“I’m not sure I would have wanted my children anywhere else during their formative years, other than with STAGES or at performing arts related programs. The supportive atmosphere was like no other.”