Come play with us!
- Each event will take place at Story Theater Company:
1609 Golden Aspen Dr. #105 in Ames. - Payment (through PayPal) must be completed at the time of registration in order to reserve you space.
- In the event of insufficient registration for a workshop, Story Theater Company reserves the right to cancel the workshop, with a full refund provided to registrants.
Please read our Cancellation Policy here. - We want theater opportunities to be accessible to all. Scholarship assistance is available for those who may need help covering the participation fee.
To request scholarship assistance, please fill out this application.
These programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the City of Ames through the Commission on the Arts (COTA), and Ames Noon Kiwanis Club.
Questions? Contact Kiersten Naberhaus: education@storytheatercompany.org
Register for these opportunities by clicking the title or (blue) button for each event:
Design Lab: Props & Cocoa (Beginner)
An ancient scroll, a treasure map, an old love note, a Hogwarts letter! What will YOU create?
Let’s explore how to age paper, make our own feather quills, try our hand at calligraphy, and design a project worthy of being on stage or in a movie!
Scrumptious hot cocoa will be provided too, of course!
- Grades 3-5
- Wednesday, December 27
9:00 am – 12:00 pm - Max: 20 participants
- Registration Fee: $25
- Register through December 19
Design Lab: Props & Cocoa (Advanced)
Almost every show in theater or television uses paper props. Let’s explore how some of them are made!
We will make our own feather quills, practice aging paper, try our hand at calligraphy (using the quills we’ve made), and design personal wax seals.
Scrumptious hot cocoa will be provided too, of course!
- Grades 6-12
- Wednesday, December 27
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Max: 20 participants
- Registration Fee: $25
- Register through December 19
Play in a Day (Beginner)
Put your skills to the test (or come to learn some new ones!). Everyone works together to produce one play in only 8 hours. Move rapid-fire to learn your roles, paint the set, design the costumes, and find the props.
Students should bring paint clothes, a lunch, and snacks.
9:00-5:00 with a pizza party and a 5:30 performance for family and friends.
- Grades 6-8
- Thursday, December 28
9:00 am – 6:00 pm - Max: 12 participants
- Registration Fee: $75
- Register through December 20
Play in a Day (Advanced)
Put your skills to the test (or come to learn some new ones!). Everyone works together to produce one play in only 8 hours. The day will begin with a vote on which of three scripts to produce, and from there we move rapid-fire through blocking, lights, sound, costumes, props, etc.
Students should bring paint clothes, a lunch, and snacks.
9:00 – 5:00 with a pizza party and a 5:30 performance for family and friends.
Students are requested to assist with striking the show after the performance.
- Grades 9-12
- Friday, December 29
9:00 am – 6:00 pm - Max: 15 participants
- Registration Fee: $75
- Register through December 21
Royal Academy
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a prince or princess? Attend STC’s Royal Academy and get your chance! Explore basic acting and technical theater skills while you learn how to become a prince or princess worthy of your crown!
Day 1: Become a Royal!
Day 2: Design your own kingdom!
Day 3: Learn royal party manners and have a party!
Day 4: Save your Kingdom! (age appropriate escape room)
- Ages 5-8
- Wed/Fri 4:30-6:00 pm
Jan 10, 12, 17, 19 - Max: 12 participants
- Registration Fee: $60
- Register through January 2
Mystery Party – Tween
Murder In The Alps: A peaceful winter getaway turns into a crime scene when a murder happens at the secluded ski resort! It’s clear not everyone present is innocent, but who could have done it? And why?
Become a character in the mystery and help solve the crime.
- Ages 9-12
- Friday, January 5
4:30-6:30 pm - Registration Fee: $15
- Max: 20 participants
- Register through Dec 29
Mystery Party – Teen
Murder In The Alps: A peaceful winter getaway turns into a crime scene when a murder happens at the secluded ski resort! It’s clear not everyone present is innocent, but who could have done it? And why?
Become a character in the mystery and help solve the crime.
- Ages 13-18
- Friday, January 5
7:00-9:30 pm - Registration Fee: $15
- Max: 20 participants
- Register through Dec 29
School’s Out! A Day of Theater
School is out for the day – let’s have some fun together! Play theater games, do theater-related crafts, watch a musical, put on your own play, and more!
- Ages 6-12
- Monday, January 15
9 am-5:30 pm
Pick up any time between 5:00-5:30 pm - Max: 25 participants
- Registration Fee: $75
- Register through January 7
Playful Performers
Let’s put on a play! Using the popular picture book The Mitten by Jan Brett, we will create our characters and act out a story. We will also explore costumes, props, and set in preparation for our family showcase at the end.
Students should bring a nut-free snack.
There will be a brief showcase for families following the event. The students will be divided into two performance groups: one group will perform at 12:00 pm, and the other group will perform at 12:15 pm.
- Ages 5-8
- Saturday, December 9
9:00 am-12:00 pm - Registration Fee: $25
- Max: 18 participants
- Register through Dec 2
Registration is closed.
Upcoming Opportunities
Spring Break Camps
Come and play with us over Spring Break: March 11-15, 2024!
Half-day camp for ages 5-7: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-12:00pm
Full-day camp for ages 8-11: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm
(Extended care available until 5:30pm for an additional fee)
More details coming soon…
Snapshot Performance Improv
Snapshot returns for Spring 2024!
Audition for a chance to be part of STC’s improv troupe where you will learn and practice improv techniques for an hour and a half once a week. The team will present three weekend improv shows in addition to their weekly evening meetings.
Ages 12+
More details coming soon…
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Full refunds are offered in the event that a workshop itself is canceled.
In the event that a registrant chooses to cancel their registration: requests for refunds made at least one week prior to the start of the workshop will be granted, minus a 25% cancellation fee. Cancellations made with less than one weeks’ notice will not be granted a refund.