SPARK Programs
At Birmingham Children’s Theatre, SPARK is more than a name — it’s our foundation.
Our education programs are built on five guiding pillars that shape not only great artists, but kind, confident, and creative people:
Storytelling – Every student has a story worth sharing. We nurture imagination and empower young voices to connect and inspire through the art of story.
Performance – More than taking the stage, performance is about courage, collaboration, and celebrating each student’s unique self-expression.
Artistry – Artistry sparks curiosity and discovery. Through creativity and craft, students explore theatre while connecting it to academics, innovation, and the world around them.
Resilience – Theatre teaches persistence. By embracing mistakes and challenges, students learn adaptability, confidence, and strength that carry beyond the stage.
Kindness – Kindness takes center stage. Rooted in empathy, inclusivity, and community, our programs ensure that every student feels supported, valued, and seen.
Together, these pillars form the heart of BCT’s pedagogy: experiential, play-based learning that integrates the arts with academics, fosters emotional well-being, and cultivates lifelong creativity. Through SPARK, we’re not just teaching theatre — we’re igniting imaginations, building resilient learners, and shaping a community grounded in kindness.
Our suite of in-house afterschool and Saturday classes, BCT’s SPARK Studio is the stepping stone for young artists at every level of experience: Imagination Party (ages 4–6), Players Studio (ages 7–11), and Magic Players (ages 12–14).
Looking for a fun, enriching activity for your little one? Don’t miss the Imagination Party — the most imaginative class in town designed just for young minds! Perfect for children ages 4–6, your child develop creativity, cooperation, and key social skills — all while having a blast!
BCT’s Players Studio is the perfect next step for young performers ready to shine—whether they’re just starting out or expanding their stage experience.
Students learn the foundations of theatre through movement, voice, and storytelling. Each class helps them build confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills.
Magic Players is designed for middle school performers ready to take their craft to the next level.
The class will select and perform a one-act play, giving students hands-on experience with the theatre-making process—from acting and directing to design and stage management.
Questions? Email education@bct123.org
SPARK Troupe – The next step for students who’ve grown through SPARK Studio. Here, they perform in full productions, one-acts, and soon, competitive theatre opportunities. Readiness for SPARK Troupe is guided by developmental growth, not by age.
Coming soon! Our SPARK Troupe fall production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical will open November 20th!
SPARK Summer: BCT’s summer camp experience, where SPARK Studio classes and SPARK Troupe productions grow and flourish all season long.
BCT's 2026 SPARK Summer will be announced in January with camps and a youth production for ages 4-18 years. Stay tuned, we can't wait to spend the summer with your child!
SPARK Labs are master classes and intensives for ages 12–25. These specialized sessions allow students to hone specific skills with industry professionals without the long-term commitment.
Previous BCT masterclasses have included playwriting, choreography, audition prep, fight choreography, and coming soon… technical theatre!
Did you know BCT reached over 850 children through in-school residencies last season?
SPARK Outreach is the division of BCTs’ in-school and community residencies, workshops, and professional development. We bring our theatre classes directly into classrooms and communities to make the arts accessible for all.
"BCT's residency has brought so much joy to my students. They have a new found love for Math without even realizing it. BCT is vital to Birmingham City Schools and I am so grateful for all the ways they show up for our students.”
-Dr. Watkins, West End Academy Principal
OUR PEDAGOGY
At BCT we believe that arts education is essential for developing well-rounded, creative, and critical thinkers. Rooted in experiential learning, our pedagogy emphasizes hands-on exploration, collaboration, and integration of theatre with core curriculum subjects. By incorporating state and national arts standards alongside STEM connections, we ensure our programs are academically enriching and socially meaningful. Play-based learning and imaginative practice foster emotional well-being, social skills, and cognitive development — all while nurturing a lifelong love of the arts.