Metropolis has provided performing arts education to more than 17,000 participants since its inception in 2007.

By developing programs to meet the needs of various populations – from children to seniors to individuals of all abilities – Metropolis Community Engagement strives to set a precedent for performing arts learning partnerships. All the details of a Metropolis Community Engagement partnership program are customizable, from program topics and objectives to duration, schedule, and price.

We maintain four recurring long-term program collaborations with the Arlington Heights Senior Center, Arlington Pediatric Therapy, and Clearbrook. Our students and participants range in age from 3 – 80+.

Through Metropolis Community Engagement partnerships, we hope to:

  • Integrate the arts into the everyday lives of community members.
  • Make the arts accessible to our broad and diverse community.
  • Awaken participants’ awareness of themselves, others, and the world through performing arts education.
  • Cultivate a lifelong appreciation of and involvement in the performing arts.

Click on the toggles below to learn more about our current offerings.

Singers ages 55 and better: make music and build friendships in Crescendo Chorus! This ensemble sings a variety of music genres, including pop, jazz, oldies, musical theatre, and more. Through weekly rehearsals, participants will develop music skills while connecting with their peers and preparing for a final performance. Singers of all experience levels are welcome.

Actors ages 55 and better: release your inner actor and connect with peers in Acting Through Life! Join us this fall for Acting Through Life: Reader’s Theater. Reader’s Theater is a performance style in which performers use their voices, upper bodies, and facial expressions to bring a narrative text to life. You don’t need any acting or theatre experience.

Recipient of the Association of Illinois Senior Centers’ “Visionary Program Award.”

Flourish in the Footlights is a theatre program for young adults with disabilities entering its 20th year. In this program, an ensemble of 10-15 actors works on developing acting skills while also rehearsing for a production with a story they help create.

Their final performance is on the Metropolis stage with costumes, sets, lights, and sound. Flourish in the Footlights is taught by a team of theatre professionals and special educators.

This program is run in collaboration with Arlington Pediatric Therapy

Clearbrook on Cue is a long-running collaboration with Clearbrook. This theatre program for artists with disabilities is focused on creating an original production based on actors’ strengths and interests. Actors also develop acting, communication, and creativity skills throughout the session. The program closes with a fully produced show on the Metropolis stage, open to the public to enjoy!

This program is run in collaboration with Clearbrook.

For information regarding all Community Partnership programming, please contact sopa@metropolisarts.com.

The Metropolis Community Partnerships program is supported by

The School of the Performing Arts is proudly supported by a grant from:

Interested in Our Community Engagement Programs?

Please fill out the form below and our Education Partnerships & Engagement Manager will contact you to help start your programming!