BAX Youth Studio Classes
BAX is where young artists-in-progress develop authentic creative voices within a nurturing community.
ABOUT BAX YOUTH EDUCATION
BAX Studio Classes are taught by a diverse cohort of professional performing artists and educators who draw upon their own lived experiences, artistic training and practices while engaging with BAX’s core educational values to generate a unique curriculum.
BAX studio classes include three pillars: Dance (includes Creative Movement, Contemporary, and Hip Hop), Theater (includes Creative Theater, Theater Lab, Movement & Theater Lab, and Drag Performance 1), and Tumbling (includes Tumble Jumble, and Tumbling, and an advanced Tumbling Technique/pre-AcroBAX class). These class trajectories culminate with our Performance Workshop Ensemble that invites committed students in year-long ensembles which bring together movement techniques in dance, acrobatics and drag as well as original individual and group choreography, directing, and performance work.
ABOUT THE BAX CONTINUUM
BAX is a multigenerational arts ecosystem where young people, artists, families, and community members learn, create, and grow together. From early childhood classes through teen leadership, artistic practice, and lifelong community participation, BAX nurtures creativity, collaboration, artistic voice, and belonging. Many participants remain connected across decades—returning as performers, teaching artists, parents, staff, and leaders who help shape the next generation of artists and communities. Learn more here.
One community. Many generations. Lifelong creative impact.
Theater
Creative Theater (K-1st, Ages 5-7)
In Creative Theater, our youngest storytellers explore embodied storytelling practices through voice, face, physical gestures, and play-based activities. Learners engage in collaborative games, and imaginative problem-solving activities to develop physical awareness, spatial intelligence, and their unique creative expression. In a playful environment, artists begin to develop the skills that will support them as they advance in the Theater trajectory.
Theater Lab (2nd-3rd, Ages 7-9)
In Theater Lab, students draw on foundational elements of theater such as voice, face, physical gestures to deepen their understanding of scale, scene and character development. Participants are invited to share personal interests and engage in creative compromises as they work on behind-the-scenes elements of character, scene, and/or performance development. Artists learn to build ensemble and devise original scripts to develop skills that will support them as the advance in the Theater trajectory.
Movement & Theater Lab (3rd+, Ages 8+)
This high energy class offers a structured exploration of movement and performance for students curious about dance, theater, and creative expression—no prior experience required. Blending elements of physical theater, contemporary dance, and ensemble improvisation, students create original short performances through movement scores and storytelling techniques. They will engage collaborative games, and imaginative problem-solving activities, developing physical awareness, spatial intelligence, and confidence. Emphasis is placed on both individual creativity and collective devising in a supportive, inclusive environment. This class is a great fit for students interested in alternative access points to dance, drama, and tumbling, or those looking to advance to BAX’s Performance Workshop Ensembles.
Drag Performance I (2nd-4th, Ages 7-10)
This class uses the principles of drama and creative movement to explore dramatic play, character work, authentic expression, and community connection inspired by the colorful art form of drag. Using facial expressions, body language, and costume choices, we create unique drag personas. We practice the skill of lip syncing and create a collaborative lip synced drag musical which grows in depth and synthesis as students gain experience and age up. We focus on drag as an art form of transformation and its capacity to impact social movements as a tool of self-discovery and collective storytelling. This is an excellent class for students interested in advancing to BAX’s Performance Workshop Ensembles.
Tumbling
Tumble Jumble (PreK-K, Ages 3-5)
In Tumble Jumble, our youngest movers experiment with motor skills, spatial awareness, and balance in a high energy setting. Students enjoy playful obstacle courses, animal walks, and inverted movements, while strengthening foundational skills such as forward roles and wall-supported handstands.
Tumbling (1st-3rd, Ages 6-9)
In Tumbling, students expand on fundamental skills such as forward rolls, while deepening their understanding of balance through partner acrobatics. As young artists find ways to support their own weight and create inversions, they experiment with bringing these skills together individually and in partnership. Through ensemble improvisation, composition, and performance learners develop the skills that will support them as they advance in the Tumbling trajectory.
Tumbling (3rd-5th, Ages 8-11)
In Tumbling, students expand on fundamental skills such as backbends, cartwheels, and handstands while expanding their use into the context of partner acrobatics. Learners investigate the art of supporting fellow ensemble members through space, while exploring their individual creative expression. This is an excellent technique class for students interested in advancing to BAX’s Youth Performance Workshop Ensemble.
Tumbling (4th+, Ages 9+)
In Tumbling, students expand on foundational skills needed for partner acrobatics while emphasizing their own artistic voice as the driver of creativity. Learners are encouraged to draw upon the technique needed for skills such as handstands and backbends, to create new shapes and find strong inversions. This is an excellent technique class for students currently enrolled, or interested in BAX’s Youth Performance Workshop Ensemble.
Dance
Mindful Movement (Ages 2-3.5)
Welcome to Mindful Movement! In this playful, family-centered class, caregivers and young children explore movement, music, imagination, and sensory play together. Through obstacle courses, community dance, repeat-after-me songs, imaginative storytelling, and group activities, children are encouraged to build confidence, creativity, coordination, and connection.
Guided by a certified birth and postpartum doula and early childhood drama teacher, the class also introduces gentle nervous system regulation and mindfulness practices woven throughout each session, including breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and calming transitions that support both children and caregivers in moving with care and curiosity.
Perfect for toddlers and their grown-ups looking for a joyful Saturday morning experience rooted in creativity, connection, and mindful play.
Creative Movement (PreK-K, Ages 3-5)
In Creative Movement, our youngest movers experiment with embodied expressions and fundamental qualities of movement in a collaborative setting while drawing upon playful imagery, music, stories, and props. Students use exploratory tools such as speed, sound, emotion, and texture to form understandings of the range of ways they are capable of moving.
Contemporary Dance (1st-2nd, Ages 6-8)
Contemporary Dance is a composite of techniques and traditions unique to modern and contemporary dance, including ballet, structured improvisation, and partner work. Young dancers experiment with qualities of movement, levels, and creative movement to develop the skills that will support them as they advance in the Contemporary Dance trajectory.
Contemporary Dance (3rd-5th, Ages 8-11)
Contemporary Dance is a composite of techniques and traditions unique to modern and contemporary dance, including ballet, structured improvisation, and partner work. Dancers work independently and as an ensemble, to learn phrase material, break-down and build-up repertory, and express themselves through original composition. This is an excellent technique class for students interested in advancing to BAX’s Youth Performance Workshop Ensemble.
Contemporary Dance (4th+, Ages 9+)
In Contemporary Dance, students expand their technique and repertoire while emphasizing their own artistic voice as the driver of creativity. Learners are encouraged to draw upon the skills needed to create supported and sustained movements as they explore devising processes that center the collective power of the ensemble. This is an excellent technique class for students currently enrolled, or interested in BAX’s Youth Performance Workshop Ensemble.
Hip Hop (2nd-4th, Ages 7-10)
In this high energy class, students will explore the joy of movement and creativity through hip hop music and dance. Students will explore their own individualized artistic expression as part of learning hip hop traditions within a supportive community. Classes are grounded in learning hip hop vocabulary as a jumping off point from which their own original choreography is devised.
Hip Hop (4th+, Ages 9+)
In this high energy class, students expand on foundational Hip Hop vocabulary that deepen learners’ understanding of the movements of their rib cage, shoulders, hips, and legs. Through Hip Hop music, students explore utilizing their technique to devise choreography that enhances their unique creative expression. This is an excellent class for students interested in advancing to BAX’s Youth Performance Workshop Ensemble.