Theatre Lessons & Resources for Everyone, Everywhere

We provide resources to teach theatre to people of all abilities, especially those with special needs.

Why We Started 4th Wall Backstage

We believe theatre is for all abilities, and is the vehicle for promoting teamwork, social skills, and empowerment. Our journey started with our sister business, 4th Wall Theatre Company, bringing theatre all over Michigan via workshops at schools, libraries, community centers, anywhere. But people from outside of Michigan kept asking us how to provide exciting classes and performances on their own.

In 2016 we decided to raise the curtain and let our secrets out. Introducing 4th Wall Backstage! Learn from our experience the most effective ways to bring theatre to students of all ages and abilities. Help us reach as many students and educators as possible to make sure theatre is available to everyone!

Latest Blog Posts

Sep
10

It can be difficult to find the perfect book to inspire your next showstopper, especially when there are so many elements to look for: multiple characters with simple lines, a variety of activity levels, and – the most important element – a fun and entertaining plot! Instructors new to incorporating storybooks into their students’ performances… Read More

Apr
25

The 15 PECS You Need for Theatre Teaching theatre to students with special needs is an amazing life work.  How to best support each actor’s needs?  A one-on-one onstage?  A spot marker for them to stand on?  Headphones?  Their lines in a tablet?  The list goes on and on.  For most supports we were able to find what we needed.  But there was one… Read More

Mar
14

I get emails all the time from concerned parents, “Your website says, ‘Theatre for all’ but my son… you see…” and the sentence usually fades away. In the world of special education there is an unintentional hierarchy: Fantastic summer camp opportunities with horseback riding will have an asterisk “for children who are high functioning.” Clubs… Read More

Read More Blog Posts

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