Artshop Acting Winter Session: Inclusive Theatre Classes in Midland, Michigan

On the east side of downtown Midland, Michigan, at 5501 Jefferson Ave, Artshop Acting opens a rehearsal room to anyone who wants to learn the basics of stagecraft and find a steadier voice. This seven-week winter session meets on Thursdays from March 12 through April 23 and is led by Ella McKane-Wright, a Central Michigan University Music Theatre Program alum whose approach centers on playful theatre games, confidence-building, and ensemble work. The class runs from 2:45 to 3:45 PM each week and is explicitly inclusive: Artshop offers arts education for people of all abilities and ages, and students who receive Medicaid may be eligible to apply part of their Community Living Support budget toward tuition. Scripts are included, lowering the barrier to entry and letting students focus on performance and group dynamics rather than materials. Note that if Midland Public Schools close for weather, Artshop cancels classes for that day—plan accordingly in Michigan’s variable spring weather. What makes this program notable within Midland’s recreational scene is its practical, skills-first focus combined with a community-minded structure. Rather than a commercial studio or competitive conservatory, Artshop is a neighborhood program that treats theatre games as deliberate training: warmups that sharpen listening and timing, improvisation exercises that loosen certainty and invite spontaneity, and short rehearsed pieces that translate practice into a shareable performance. The small-group environment gives instructors time to notice and support individual strengths, which matters for actors of any age or ability. The meeting point at 5501 Jefferson Ave situates the class close to local schools and community services, making pickup and scheduling straightforward for families. Expect a modest, well-lit room configured for movement and speech; bring comfortable clothes and a willingness to participate. The session culminates in a short performance for friends and family so students can practice presentation in a welcoming setting. Practical details: preregistration is required; the listed session fee is $95. Accessibility provisions are emphasized in the program description. If you are visiting Midland and want to connect with local culture beyond parks and trails, attending a class or observing the final share offers an immediate, people-centered slice of local life. Artshop Acting is a practical, welcoming place to test a new skill, build social confidence, and experience community theatre at an accessible scale—an understated but meaningful part of Midland’s arts offerings. Families report that short weekly commitments like this help children develop focus, empathy, and public-speaking skills that transfer to classrooms and daily life. The class’s emphasis on games and short scenes reduces performance pressure while still teaching blocking, projection, and timing in age-appropriate ways. For caregivers and visitors, this session provides a reliable afternoon activity that fits around school calendars and winter travel plans comfortably.