FAQ

Musical Theatre Workshops (MTW) stands out by valuing the entire journey of theatre education. Beginning with weekly classes in acting, singing, dancing, and other techniques throughout the school year, MTW emphasizes learning and growth through classroom instruction, rehearsals and various performance opportunities. The journey culminates in a final production and other showcases, such as participation in events like The Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival.

MTW’s instructors, who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their teaching, ensure that each step, from initial learning through rehearsal to the final performance, is a meaningful and enriching experience that showcases students’ dedication and progress.

Choosing the right class for your child at Musical Theatre Workshops is important, and we’re here to help! Our classes are primarily based on age, with a focus on providing appropriate training and techniques for each age group. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Our MTI–MTIII classes are primarily grouped by age, with training and expectations increasing at each level as students grow and develop their performance skills. Students in these classes receive training in acting, singing, choreography, and performance technique appropriate for their age and experience level.

MTI is designed for our youngest performers and focuses on introducing the fundamentals of musical theatre through fun, engaging activities and performance experiences.

MTII continues building foundational performance skills while introducing more structured rehearsal and performance work.

MTIII is for older students who are ready for more challenging material, stronger performance expectations, and a more advanced rehearsal process.

MTIV and Advanced MT are our most intensive musical theatre classes and require Director recommendation, approval, or a placement audition. These classes are typically for students with stronger theatre backgrounds and performance experience who are ready for advanced material, increased rehearsal commitments, and higher-level performance training.

If your child is new to MTW and you are unsure which class would be the best fit, please contact Ms. Mickey at 706-231-1759. We are always happy to help with placement questions or schedule a placement audition if needed.

Great question—and yes, our schedule does have more classes! When you create an account and add your child’s information, our system automatically filters the class list based on your child’s age and any required director recommendations. That means you’ll only see the classes your student is currently eligible to register for.

If your child is near the next age bracket or you’d like them to be considered for a higher-level class (like MT3 or MT4), just send an email to Ms. Mickey at musicaltheatredirector@gmail.com. She’ll be happy to help with placement questions or audition if needed!

We often get asked why we don’t announce our shows before the start of the season. At Musical Theatre Workshops, we prioritize training and education over the production itself. Our focus is on providing our students with a comprehensive theatre education, where they can develop their skills in acting, singing, choreography, and performance techniques.

By keeping our show selection flexible, we can tailor our choices to the unique strengths and interests of each class. This approach allows us to select the perfect production that will challenge and showcase our students’ talents while ensuring an enjoyable and educational experience for everyone. The show is a means to put their training to the test and highlight the progress they’ve made throughout the season.

Our spring production dates are dependent on the availability of venues, and we start booking them at the beginning of the season. This is why we cannot provide specific dates yet. However, we aim to produce our shows between March and late April. Once we have confirmed the venue, we will announce the exact dates.

We also offer other performance opportunities throughout the year, to include the Arts in the heart of Augusta Festival in September.

Yes, we do hold auditions for our shows! However, our auditions are closed, meaning only registered students can audition. Auditions are not required unless a student wants to try for a principal or key role. That said, we encourage everyone to participate in auditions as part of their learning experience.

Learning about the audition process is an integral part of the training at MTW. Regular participation in auditions helps students build confidence and develop essential skills. This experience will also prepare them for auditions outside of MTW, such as those for school or community theatre productions.

Yes. Once productions are cast, additional rehearsals should be expected for all performance classes. Putting together a musical takes teamwork, preparation, and rehearsal time beyond regular weekly classes. Rehearsal schedules will vary by class level and production needs.

MTI:
MTI classes will occasionally combine so students can rehearse together for longer periods of time. As we get closer to performances, parents should expect a few extended Thursday rehearsal days, as well as the possibility of occasional Saturday rehearsals.

MTII & MTIII:
Students in MTII and MTIII should expect rehearsals on their regular class days, with some combined or extended rehearsal times as productions approach. Occasional Saturday rehearsals will also be scheduled, especially closer to show dates.

MTIV & Advanced MT
Students at this level should expect a higher level of rehearsal commitment once productions are cast. In most cases, students will be called twice a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) for choreography, vocals, and scene work. Depending on casting needs, some students may only be called once a week early in the process, but additional rehearsals are still expected as the production develops.

As we move closer to performance, rehearsals will increase again as we begin running and polishing the full show. At that point, students should plan on being called twice weekly, with occasional Friday evenings or Saturdays added as needed for full runs and production preparation.

Absolutely! Enrolling a shy child in our classes can be very beneficial. Our supportive and nurturing environment helps students build confidence and develop social skills at their own pace. Through activities like acting exercises, improvisation, and ensemble work, children learn to express themselves and gain self-assurance. Many of our students start out shy and blossom over time. Our experienced instructors are skilled at creating a welcoming atmosphere where every child can thrive.

Normally, we do not allow parents to observe classes. We believe it’s important for children to have time to get comfortable with the instructor, their surroundings, and their fellow students without the added pressure of an audience. This approach helps foster a more relaxed and creative environment where students can focus on learning and building their confidence. However, we do provide opportunities for parents to see their child’s progress through scheduled showcases and performances.  You are welcome to remain in our lobby during your child’s classtime, or drop off and pick them up when class is over.

Registration for our classes opens at the beginning of June and will remain open until the class is filled or the beginning of October, whichever occurs first. Classes begin in mid-August, and most of them fill up before the season starts. However, we do maintain a waitlist for those who are unable to secure a spot initially. 

If you miss the initial registration window, it’s sometimes possible to join the season after October, depending on the class you’re wishing to join, so please reach out just in case. We also offer 4 to 8 week workshops thoughout the year.

A production fee covers the costs associated with putting on a show, including licensing, renting the venue, sets, props, and other production expenses. This fee helps ensure our productions are of the highest quality, providing a professional and enriching experience for all our students.  The production fee is only required for Musical Theatre students and is due by Dec 1.  This fee can be split up into smaller payments, or paid in full on or before Dec 1. 

For more details, please visit our registration page.

While we are not offering standalone acting, voice, or dance classes this year, we DO hold themed workshops throughout the year—typically ranging from 4 to 8 weeks—that focus on various theatre-related topics. These workshops may cover areas like voice, movement, dance, audition techniques, ensemble acting, and more. Be sure to stay tuned for upcoming workshop dates—we frequently post updates on our Upcoming Events page and via our email list and social media channels.