Michigan stage playlabs
are one-of-a-kind after-school theater programs.
Beyond the applause and stage lights lies the heart of our mission: giving every young performer their moment to shine. For many of the students in our after-school Playlab programs, the stage is more than just a place to perform. It’s a place to belong. A lifeline. A rare place where they can be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Playlabs are a one-of-a-kind theater program. Groups of young actors meet weekly to create an original play under the guidance of professional directors. These programs are open to the publi on a pay-what-you-can basis.
PLAYLABS PROVIDE
🤝 Face-to-face collaboration and friendship
🎭 A safe space for free play, imagination, and self-expression
📚 Increased school engagement and communication skills
💬 Conflict resolution and teamwork
🎨 Emotional regulation and mental health support through creativity
I wish everyone could participate because Playlabs teaches you how to be a good person and school doesn’t always do that."
Fall 2026 PLAYLABS
What if Alice in Wonderland wasn’t a story you simply watched—but a world you got to enter, reshape, and make your own?
This fall, we’re taking our classic Playlab experience down the rabbit hole with Playlabs: Through the Looking Glass—a brand-new theatrical adventure inspired by Alice in Wonderland and created through the imaginations and perspectives of our participating students.
Playlabs are not traditional theater classes. Students play games, experiment with characters, explore movement and storytelling, and use theater exercises to develop an original performance together. There’s no script to memorize on day one. Instead, the story grows from the ideas, discoveries, questions, and creativity of the young people in the room.
And this semester, we’re leveling things up.
A PLAYLAB TAKEOVER OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Across all three Royal Oak programs, students will use Alice in Wonderland as their jumping-off point as we explore:
🪞 Mirrors and alternate worlds
👑 Monarchs and curious rules
🍵 Tea parties and unexpected guests
🐇 Fantastical creatures
🌀 What happens when your world gets turned upside down
✨ And what our own adventures might look like if we followed the White Rabbit
The semester will culminate in a fully realized, immersive theatrical performance—with heightened production elements and an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland shaped through the Playlab lens and the perspectives of the students who created it.
In other words: they won’t just perform Alice’s story. They’ll help reinvent it.
Whether your child has been part of Playlabs before or has never stepped onto a MiStage stage, this is a wonderful semester to jump in.
Come create something strange.
Come make something magical.
Come see what happens when we turn the world upside down.
ROYAL OAK PROGRAMS
All programs take place at Genesis Church in Royal Oak.
MONDAYS
Lower Elementary Playlab | Grades K–2 4:30–6:00 PM
Upper Elementary Playlab | Grades 3–5 6:15–7:45 PM
September 21, 28
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Performance: Week of December 7
Cast Party: December 14
TUESDAYS
Playlab Players Ensemble | Ages 10+ 4:30–6:30 PM
September 22, 29
October 6, 13, 20, 27
November 3*, 10, 17, 24
December 1
Performance: Week of December 7
Cast Party: December 15
No program on November 3 for Election Day.
🐇 READY TO GO DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE?
Fall enrollment is now open, and we’d love to welcome new and returning Playlab artists into this one-of-a-kind theatrical experiment.
Space is limited. Join us this fall and see where your imagination takes you.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
We’ll see you on the other side of the looking glass!
Michigan Stage
Theater. Created Together.
FAQ
What are Playlabs?
Our year-round Playlabs are engaging, amusing, one-of-a-kind productions developed through theatrical workshops, from the ideas of participating students under the guidance of professional teaching artists. These programs are offered in partnership with our local public schools and resident senior living communities.
How does it work?
Each Playlab focuses on building performance skills through ensemble-based work, improvisation, and individualized coaching. Playlabs culminate with a student-created original play to be performed on the final day of the program. Click here for more info.
What kind of students participate?
We attract both ‘veterans of the stage’ and first-time performers. Our programs are strength-based. We meet all students where they’re at in their experience. We work closely with licensed counselors and social workers to train our staff on best practices for educating and supporting all kinds of students. We offer a 1-to-5 ratio of Teaching Artist to students.
Where do Playlabs take place?
Playlabs take place in Royal Oak. We also have a partnership with Ferndale Public Schools. All programs held on-site at respective partner school location. See above for all the options!
How much does it cost?
Playlabs Community programs and in-school programs vary in price. We do offer scholarships for the Playlab programs in the community.
What about sets, costumes, and props?
We invite our community to participate in building the scenery, props and costumes for our plays. Artistic mentors guide as volunteers help build.
When are Playlabs?
Weekdays after-school from September-December, February-May, and summer.
PLAYLAB PLAYERS ENSEMBLE
Our Playlab Players Ensemble is an advanced option for experienced middle and high school students who are ready to take their theater training to the next level! This new program builds upon the best of our traditional Playlab curriculum while introducing a deeper level of pre-professional training for young actors grades 6 and up.
PLAYLAB PLAYERS ENSEMBLE OFFERS
👨💻 Specialized mentorship from Broadway insiders.
🎭 A longer production with more design elements.
🕺Bonus performance(s) during our Playlab performance tour.
🎬 Pre-professional training from directors, playwrights and designers.
Playlabs are sponsored in part by
