"She LOVES the class! Thank you for being so much fun and professional!" raves workshop mom L. Forkin. "I could see so much joy and happiness in my daughter's eyes and she told me 'Mommy, I can't stop smiling cheek to cheek!' " exclaims B. Alvarez.

Acting! Singing! Dance! Crafts! Make-up! Costumes! and a live performance on stage highlight these fun and exciting theatre workshop for kids 4 to 6. This internationally acclaimed Santa Monica Playhouse program offers a one-of-a-kind experience where Early Stagers revel in the joy of creativity and self-expression, working with professional actors who have dedicated their lives to sharing the magic of live theatre. "Our daughter and son really did love every minute – they had a productive, interactive and hugely enjoyable few weeks" says mom N. Gestetner.

Youngsters sing songs, play theatre games, bring favorite fairytales to life, work with crafts and props, and perform on stage with members of the "big kids" workshops. Emphasis is on sharing, caring, and having a fun time. Kids learn to improve their communication and team-building skills, overcome shyness and build self-esteem as they make new friends, practice focusing their energy and expand their imagination.

The innovative Santa Monica Playhouse theatre-for-youth programs, now in their 50th year, have been developed from work done with more 50,000 students locally, nationally and internationally. Daily Variety calls it "One of the best in the country!" Santa Monica Playhouse is proud to be an approved program on LAArtsEd.org, Los Angeles County's one-stop-shop for quality arts education programs. Dues: $395 for the four-month session; sibling discounts and financial assistance available – just ask. Saturdays, 10:00am to 11:30am