Collaborative School of the Arts Kicks Off Fall with Theatre Training, Broadway Master Classes, and Opportunities for Area Schools

SCHENECTADY, NY (Sept. 22) — A new season of learning, performing, and creating is underway at the Collaborative School of the Arts at Proctors Collaborative, with upcoming opportunities for young performers, aspiring theatre professionals, and high school theatre programs throughout the Capital Region to develop their craft, explore careers in the arts, and connect with the region’s theatre community.

The season is already underway with the Collaborative Academy for Theatrical Training, an intensive program designed to help young performers develop the skills needed to become well-rounded musical theatre artists. The Senior Academy, for ages 14-20, runs through Dec. 19 at Proctors and gives students ongoing training in singing, acting, and dance with experienced theatre professionals. Registration is open through October. The program continues in the new year with the Junior Academy, designed for performers ages 10-13, running Jan. 9-March 27.

Students looking for another connection to the professional theatre world can take advantage of the Collaborative School of the Arts’ Broadway Master Class Series, which brings artists and teaching professionals from Broadway national tours at Proctors into the classroom. The 2026-27 series begins Saturday, Oct. 17, with a dance intensive connected to “Boop! The Musical,” followed by classes with other upcoming national Broadway tours throughout the season.

Area schools will also have the opportunity to immerse students in both sides of the theatrical process through the returning High School Theatre Festival. Registration opens Monday, Oct. 5, for two festival experiences taking place at Proctors in February. The two-day format allows schools to explore the breadth of careers, skills, and creative disciplines involved in bringing live theatre to life, whether students see themselves performing under the lights or making the production possible behind the scenes.

The fall also marks the beginning of another season of the Proctors High School Musical Theatre Awards. Registration for the 2027 HSMTA program opened Monday, Sept. 14, inviting schools throughout the greater Capital Region to participate in the season-long celebration of high school musical theatre.

Presented in collaboration with The Broadway League, HSMTA recognizes the work happening both onstage and behind the scenes in area high school musical productions. Theatre professionals attend participating productions throughout the season to provide feedback and evaluate students and schools across multiple categories, culminating in a Tony Awards-style ceremony on the MainStage at Proctors 7 p.m. Saturday, May 8.

Two recipients of the Outstanding Lead Performer award will go on to represent Proctors and the Capital Region at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards, in New York City in June 2027.

Registration, program details, and additional information are available at collaborativeschoolofthearts.org. For questions, contact the Collaborative School of the Arts at school@proctorscollaborative.org.

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