Theater

Our classes welcome children starting at 6 years old, up through the teenage years. There is no maximum age to begin theater – some start very young, others in middle or high school, and even senior adults take it up later out of passion. The important thing is that each student, whether young or older, grows alongside peers of their age. We form groups by age ranges (for example 6–9 years, 9–12 years, 12–16 years, etc.) so that everyone feels comfortable and can progress with exercises suited to their development. It’s never too early or too late to step on stage in a fun atmosphere!

Absolutely! Our activities are open to all levels, from total beginners to youngsters who already have some acting experience. No prior experience is required to join our classes – in fact, we love introducing new students to the joy of performing. The teacher takes time to get to know each child in the very first class and adapts the exercises based on each student’s abilities. Your child will be placed in a group corresponding to their age and level, where they can learn at their own pace. Many of our students start theater without any particular background and blossom quickly thanks to our gentle, supportive approach. Whether it’s to “try out” a new activity or fulfill a budding dream, your child will find their place at Apolline.

Yes, theater is actually ideal for shy children! We make sure to create a trusting environment where everyone feels safe to express themselves. The first classes start with group games and simple improvisations to gently break the ice. No student is put under the spotlight right away – we progress step by step, with no pressure to perform. Little by little, even the most reserved kids dare to speak louder, look at the audience, then act out small scenes with others. Our caring atmosphere and the absence of judgment work wonders for self-confidence: many parents tell us that after a few months, their once-shy child opens up more, both in class and at school. In short, if any artistic activity can help your child overcome timidity while having fun, it’s theater at Apolline!

To ensure each child learns at the right pace, we organize our class groups by age and, to a lesser extent, by experience. For example, the youngest beginners discover theater among peers of their own age range, while more advanced teenagers may be grouped together for deeper exercises. Each student thus joins a small, homogeneous group where they can thrive without feeling self-conscious. And rest assured, if your child progresses very quickly or needs an extra challenge, our flexibility allows us to reevaluate their group mid-year so that they stay stimulated and motivated.

Apolline is currently present in French-speaking Switzerland, offering musical theater and drama classes mainly in the cantons of Vaud and Geneva. We hold theater classes in Morges and Yverdon, and musical theater classes in Geneva and Lausanne. Other cities are in the works: faced with growing interest from families, we plan to open new groups in additional regions and cantons (for example, in Neuchâtel, Sion, or Fribourg). Feel free to contact us or check our website to know when new locations open near you. Wherever you are, our goal is to make theater accessible to as many passionate children in Romandy as possible.

The first session is above all a gentle introduction. Our teachers begin by warmly welcoming the new student and introducing them to the rest of the group. Fun introduction games and group activities are organized so that everyone can get to know each other and feel at ease. Next, the teacher leads a few simple and amusing activities: exploring the stage space, small physical and vocal exercises, guided mini-improvisations… The goal is for each child to discover the pleasure of acting without fear. At the end of the session, a moment of discussion allows the students to share their impressions, ask questions, and reminds them that everyone moves at their own pace. Most of the time, children come out of this first class all smiles, already eager to come back the next week because the experience was so positive and motivating. If a student joins mid-year, we integrate them in an individualized way, paying special attention both to the newcomer and the group, so that the integration goes smoothly for everyone.
The first class for any student always counts as a trial lesson. If they aren’t completely convinced (which we highly doubt!), you can cancel the enrollment with no charge. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Theater offers multiple benefits for young people. By getting introduced to this dramatic art, your child will develop creativity, learn to express themselves with ease, and learn to listen to others. Apolline’s classes are an ideal playground for improving communication skills (projecting their voice, articulating, speaking in front of a group) and expressing emotions. It’s also an excellent school of life in a group setting: by creating scenes together, students learn respect, cooperation, and empathy. For many children, theater is a space where they can truly be themselves, channel their energy in a constructive way, and gain self-confidence. Finally, it’s a rich human adventure full of discoveries: new friends, unexpected new talents, new passions. Whether it’s to overcome shyness, prepare for public speaking, or just for the sheer fun of playing colorful characters, each child takes away something unique from a theater class. In a word, you have fun while growing!

While these two disciplines overlap in some ways, they offer very distinct experiences. A traditional theater class focuses on acting and role interpretation: students work on text, emotions, staging, improvisation, and sometimes mime. By contrast, a musical theater class is multidisciplinary: it incorporates singing, dancing, and acting. Participants learn, for example, to follow a line of dialogue with a song, or to perform a short choreography while staying in character. It’s a more physical discipline that engages the voice as much as the body. In summary, theater primarily develops acting and stage presence, whereas musical theater adds vocal and rhythmic performance. The choice between the two depends on what your child enjoys: do they prefer telling stories purely through acting, or do they also love to sing and dance on stage? In any case, both approaches complement each other wonderfully and bring confidence, creativity, and team spirit.

Musical theater is a complete, dynamic form of expression that fascinates many young people. By taking part in a musical theater class, your child will have the chance to touch on a whole artistic world: he or she will perform songs, learn dance steps, act out scenes – all in one production! It’s the dream activity for those who love singing in front of the mirror or recreating choreography from their favorite movies. Doing musical theater helps develop both the voice (thanks to vocal coaching from the teacher) and the sense of rhythm and body coordination. It’s also an excellent exercise in memory and concentration, since they have to remember lyrics, melodies, and movements. Beyond technical skills, musical theater teaches teamwork (like in a Broadway troupe!) and how to command the stage with confidence. Lastly, it’s an exhilarating experience: there’s nothing like seguing from an upbeat song to an emotional scene to feel the magic of the show. Many participants tell us that after experiencing the energy of musical theater, they only want one thing – to continue and get back on stage again and again, so motivating is the atmosphere and emotion.

Yes, our musical theater classes include all aspects of the genre. Singing is a central element: students work on their voice in each session, with vocal warm-ups and learning songs that they will perform on stage. Dance is also part of the program, in the form of choreographed movements adapted to the participants’ age. This can range from basic steps in jazz or tap for the more advanced, to fun little routines for the younger ones (it also depends on the theme of the show!). Don’t worry, there’s no need to be an accomplished singer or dancer to join the group – the goal is to discover these disciplines gradually. Our musical theater teachers, trained in singing, theater, and dance, ensure that each child progresses in all three areas. Over the year, your child will gain vocal ease (pitch accuracy, breath control, diction) and better body coordination. And if they discover a particular passion for singing, note that it’s absolutely possible to take individual singing lessons in parallel with our vocal coach. In short, musical theater offers a complete artistic learning experience where you sing, dance, and act – just like in the greatest Broadway shows, adapted to their level!

Our priority is to give children the experience of a group class, because group energy and team spirit are at the heart of artistic learning (you also learn a lot by watching others perform). However, we understand that in some cases individual support may be desired – for example, to prepare for an important audition, work on a specific role, or simply build confidence outside of others’ eyes at the beginning. On request, we therefore offer the possibility of personalized coaching. This might take the form of a few one-on-one sessions with a teacher, as a complement to the group classes. This tailored support is planned according to the student’s needs (vocal technique, diction, advanced acting, etc.). Don’t hesitate to tell us about your child’s goals: if individual coaching can help them move toward their biggest dream, we will do our best to set it up. At Apolline, personalized support is one of our greatest values – we guide each young artist who wants to go further in their artistic journey, and do so under the best conditions.

Yes – absolutely! Apolline offers intensive theater and musical theater camps during school breaks, mainly over the summer. These programs are open to children and teens of all levels, whether to discover a discipline or deepen a passion. The camps take place in Lausanne, Geneva, and Morges, and run for 5 days from morning to afternoon, with a pace that allows for a great immersion in the artistic world.

Participants go through a true collective adventure: creating original scenes, working on improv, exploring vocals, an introduction to dance, and even preparing a real show presented at the end of the camp. The sessions are led by passionate teachers in a joyful, supportive atmosphere. These camps are very popular with kids (and parents!) because they combine artistic intensity, the fun of performing, and new friendships.

Whether your child is a beginner or already familiar with our classes, these out-of-school moments are an excellent way to make progress while having fun. And as always at Apolline, the joy of learning and showcasing each person is at the heart of the experience. Spots fill up fast, so be sure to sign up as soon as registrations open!

Yes, of course! At Apolline, we know it’s important to test the atmosphere and group dynamic before committing. That’s why the first session of the year serves as a trial class, subject to available spots. To take advantage of this, simply register your child for the desired class. After the first session, if it doesn’t seem to be a good fit (which is very rare!), you have two options:

• either try a different group or time slot,
• or cancel the enrollment with no fees.

And if your child chooses to continue – which is often the case – then that first class is simply counted as part of the yearly program. This approach lets you discover our teaching style with complete peace of mind, without immediate commitment. We want every family to feel free and fully convinced before starting the artistic adventure with us.

Nothing complicated, rest assured. We simply recommend comfortable clothing in which your child feels free to move (for example, sweatpants or leggings, and non-slip socks or dance slippers so they’re comfortable on the floor). There’s no need to buy a stage costume or makeup – any props will be provided by the school at the appropriate time, especially during show rehearsals. For theater, no special equipment is required: a t-shirt and flexible pants are plenty. For musical theater, soft shoes or jazz shoes can be useful if your child already has them, but it’s not required at the start. In summary, travel light: Apolline provides the teaching materials (scripts, music, and occasionally some set pieces) and values imagination above all. The most important thing is that your child comes with their enthusiasm… and maybe a water bottle to freshen up after expending energy on stage!

We do not issue an official diploma, and this is a deliberate educational choice. At Apolline, artistic learning isn’t evaluated with exams or grades – we prefer to focus on the joy of growing and passion rather than pure performance. Thus, there’s no final exam or report card. However, each student finishes the year with precious takeaways: self-confidence, techniques learned, new friendships… and often an irrepressible desire to continue!

To mark the progress made, we organize an annual in-house festival called Apolline Fest, which serves as a festive “end-of-year show.” All those who wish to can take part and get on stage in front of a supportive audience (family, friends, peers) to present a piece they prepared in class. It’s a moment of celebration and pride for our students, and the greatest reward in our eyes. Additionally, if your child later aims for a higher arts education (conservatory, drama academy, etc.), our teachers can certainly write a recommendation letter or guide them for auditions. Some of our most advanced students even follow a special track for professional development (by selection), to maximize their chances in entrance exams for arts schools. So no diploma, but personalized support and doors that open toward the next steps in each student’s artistic journey.

Tuition depends on the length of the class chosen. For example, a weekly 60-minute class costs 79 CHF per month, while a 90-minute class is 99 CHF per month (rates valid for the current year). At Apolline, payment is usually made in monthly installments (12 times per year, from September to August) to ease the family budget – but it’s also possible to pay the full year at once if you prefer. All costs are included in our pricing: there are no surprises (registration, regular materials, participation in internal events… everything is covered). If you enroll multiple children at Apolline or face financial difficulties, let’s talk! Our priority is to make our classes accessible to as many students as possible, while maintaining the artistic quality we’re known for. You can find detailed pricing on the Rates page of our website, or you can contact us directly with any questions on the subject.

Apolline École d’Arts’ mission is to pass on the love of theater and music to young people in a rich recreational setting. Some of our students develop a strong artistic ambition over the years, and we are here to support them. If your teenager shows particular talent and wants to move toward the performing arts more intensively (for example, eventually joining a professional company, getting into a top drama school, or trying their luck in musical theater auditions), we will do everything we can to help. All our teachers are degreed artists who are active on stage; they can recognize and refine your child’s strengths. We offer, internally, an advanced development track for motivated, advanced students: masterclass workshops, specialized audition preparation, and coaching on more demanding repertoire pieces. Personalized guidance is our greatest value. In short, Apolline can be an excellent springboard: we provide a solid foundation, savvy advice, and enthusiastic support to help each young talent achieve their artistic dreams. The door to the professional stage will be all the more open because they had fun learning… and we make sure of that every day.