Bring Upstage theatre programs to your school!

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Confidence for Life…

Upstage Theatre Programs help kids gain confidence, make new friends, speak more clearly, move more easily and, creating together, break out of their shell.

Upstage provides community, after-school, and summer day-camp performing arts education for young people. Founded on the principle that theatre should be fair and fun, our productions feature ensemble casting, reasonable rehearsal hours, and a safe environment for the child to find their own level in their own time. Many of our students return year after year — we are their theatre family!

A Trusted Partner

Upstage has been serving the greater LA community since 1999. We provide after-school youth musical theatre experiences for Westwood Charter Elementary, Kenter Canyon Charter, Palisades Charter, Lanai Road, Braddock Drive, Horace Mann School, Warner Avenue, Red Oak Elementary, Granada Hills Charter, Medea Creek Middle School, and South Pasadena Education Foundation — in addition to multiple community programs and summer day-camps not connected with a specific school.

Interested in bringing Upstage to your school?

Email julie@upstageschools.com or call (310) 923-3040.

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Executive Staff

Adrian Cohen

Adrian Cohen

Founder/Artistic Director

Adrian Cohen has been a professional actor and drama teacher for 25 years. He was born and educated in England completing a BA (honors) at Leeds University and a Drama Diploma at the Arts Educational Schools, London. Adrian has worked extensively in film and television with credits including “Ocean’s 13”, “Entourage”, “General Hospital”, “The King of Queens”, “Frasier”, “Bruce Almighty” and recurring roles in “24” and “iCarly” (as Mr. Devlin). Adrian started Upstage in 1999 with a simple principle at its core — to create an environment that would produce fully rounded young performers: “I wanted the students to take part in all three disciplines i.e. acting, singing and dance so that when they perform on stage, they have what we call ‘chops’-that’s how actors are taught in England. And the skills learned in the performing arts are so useful to young people whatever future career they choose.”
Julie Bank

Julie Bank

Managing Director

Julie Bank has been part of the Upstage family for over a decade, starting in 2004 as a volunteer at Westwood Charter before transitioning to Production Director in 2014 and then to her current position as the Chief Operating Officer/Senior Production Director. She has a Masters of Social Service Administration Degree from the University of Chicago and has been working with children and families for close to 25 years, first in foster care and more recently as an international adoption social worker. Originally from Texas, her love of Musical Theatre started with a High School production of “Grease” and was revived when the oldest of her four children joined the Upstage Program.

Teachers

Upstage hires and trains highly qualified Directors, Musical Directors, Choreographers and Production Managers. Each staff member has undergone an extensive background check through the Department of Justice. Our staff is professional, compassionate and wholeheartedly committed to the success of the students. Many are award-winning actors in their own right, and all share a love of teaching musical theatre to children of all ages.

Email julie@upstageschools.com or call (310) 923-3040.

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