Sankofa Acting: Novice honors the past while planting seeds for future performers. This beginner-level course teaches acting fundamentals—character, voice, body, and ensemble work—through culturally relevant stories and scenes. Students build confidence, creative empathy, and performance readiness.

This year’s program proudly aligns with Karamu House’s year-round theme:

ROOTED. RESILIENT. RISING in honor of celebrating Karamu's 110th anniversary.

Class Day and times: Wed 5:00-6:30 pm AND Sat 11:00 am-12:30 pm

Program Dates: March 2 – April 11, 2026

Performance Dates:  April 10th and 11th of 2026

Jury Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Jury Time: 5:00 pm

Location: Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street Cleveland, OH 44106 | Upper Drama Studio

Required Materials: Comfortable movement clothing and sneakers

Annual Registration Fee: $25.00 (non-refundable)

Full Tuition & Sliding-Scale Financial Assistance Available

To request financial aid for class, use promo code ROOTED26 at checkout to pay only the $25 registration fee at the time of enrollment.  Do not select a payment plan.  You will be contacted by Karamu's finance office with next steps.

A member of our finance team will contact you to collect documents such as paystubs or tax returns to assess your family's financial aid eligibility. We will then provide a tuition award and create a personalized payment plan that meets your needs.

Please Note: The $25 annual registration fee is required for all students, regardless of tuition option.

Contact our Arts Education Department: Maya Nicholson, Arts Education Manager Email: mnicholson@karamuhouse.org Phone: (216) 795-7070 ext. 228

Jury Evaluation Notice:

At the conclusion of each session, all students will participate in a formal jury evaluation. This assessment allows our instructors and program leaders to observe each student's growth, participation, and skill development. The jury process ensures that students are progressing at a pace appropriate to their level and helps determine readiness for advancement into the next level of classes. Students will receive feedback and, if eligible, a recommendation for continued study or promotion.

Welcome your young performer into the world of theatre through storytelling, play, and performance. Littles Drama is designed to introduce children ages 5–9 to the foundations of acting while fostering creativity, empathy, and collaboration. Through games, improvisation, and age-appropriate scene work, students gain confidence on and off the stage.

This year’s program proudly aligns with Karamu House’s year-round theme:

ROOTED. RESILIENT. RISING in honor of celebrating Karamu's 110th anniversary.

Class Day: Saturdays

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Program Dates: March 2 – April 11, 2026

Performance Dates:  April 10th and 11th of 2026

Location: Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street Cleveland, OH 44106 | Upper Drama Studio

Required Materials: Comfortable movement clothing and sneakers

Annual Registration Fee: $25.00 (non-refundable)

Full Tuition & Sliding-Scale Financial Assistance Available

To request financial aid for the LITTLES Dance and/or LITTLES Acting class, use promo code RISE26 at checkout to pay only the $25 registration fee at the time of enrollment.  Do not select a payment plan.  You will be contacted by Karamu's finance office with next steps.

A member of our finance team will contact you to collect documents such as paystubs or tax returns to assess your family's financial aid eligibility. We will then provide a tuition award and create a personalized payment plan that meets your needs.

Please Note: The $25 annual registration fee is required for all students, regardless of tuition option.

Contact our Arts Education Department: Maya Nicholson, Arts Education Manager Email: mnicholson@karamuhouse.org Phone: (216) 795-7070 ext. 228

To request financial aid for the LITTLES Dance and/or LITTLES Acting class, use promo code RISING at checkout to pay only the $25 registration fee at the time of enrollment.  Do not select a payment plan.  You will be contacted by Karamu's finance office with next steps.

This high-energy class introduces young dancers to rhythm, coordination, and cultural movement styles. Littles Dance fosters motor development and teamwork while encouraging students to find pride and power in their bodies through expressive, affirming motion.

This year’s program proudly aligns with Karamu House’s year-round theme:

ROOTED. RESILIENT. RISING in honor of celebrating Karamu's 110th anniversary.

Class Day: Saturdays

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM 

Program Dates: March 2 – April 11, 2026

Performance Dates:  April 10th and 11th of 2026

Location: Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street Cleveland, OH 44106 | Upper Dance Studio

Required Materials: Ladies- Dance leotard, tights, flat jazz shoes | Gentleman- Black dance pants, white tee shirt, flat jazz shoes

Annual Registration Fee: $25.00 (non-refundable)

Full Tuition & Sliding-Scale Financial Assistance Available

To request financial aid for the LITTLES Dance and/or LITTLES Acting class, use promo code RISE26 at checkout to pay only the $25 registration fee at the time of enrollment.  Do not select a payment plan.  You will be contacted by Karamu's finance office with next steps.

A member of our finance team will contact you to collect documents such as paystubs or tax returns to assess your family's financial aid eligibility. We will then provide a tuition award and create a personalized payment plan that meets your needs.

Please Note: The $25 annual registration fee is required for all students, regardless of tuition option.

Contact our Arts Education Department: Maya Nicholson, Arts Education Manager Email: mnicholson@karamuhouse.org Phone: (216) 795-7070 ext. 228

Senior Tap keeps legacy alive through rhythm and motion. Designed for older adults, this joyful class strengthens mobility, memory, and musicality while honoring the Black roots of American tap. Whether returning to dance or stepping in for the first time, students move with pride and purpose.

This year’s program proudly aligns with Karamu House’s year-round theme:

ROOTED. RESILIENT. RISING in honor of celebrating Karamu's 110th anniversary.

Class Day: Wednesdays

Time: 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM 

Program Dates: March 2 – April 11, 2026

Performance Dates:  April 10th and 11th of 2026

Location: Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street, Cleveland, OH 44106 | Lower Dance Studio

Required Materials: Comfortable movement clothing and tap shoes

Contact our Arts Education Department: Maya Nicholson, Arts Education Manager Email: mnicholson@karamuhouse.org Phone: (216) 795-7070 ext. 228

UPSTAGE is a program that aims to provide students entering grades 8-12 in the Fall of 2026, with free training, exposure, networking, and mentorship opportunities through technical theatre.

This is open to ALL STUDENTS, especially in the Cleveland and Fairfax neighborhoods. Students will have hands-on experience learning and working in varied technical disciplines such as:

Costuming/Wigs/Specialty Makeup

Set Painting and Construction

Stage Management

Props Management

Your student will develop practical skills and work as a technician on this summer's production of Once On This Island Jr!

Program Dates:  June 15, 2026 - July 25, 2026

Program Times: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Production Dates: 

July 24, 2026, at 7:00 pm

July 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm AND 7:00 pm