Metropolis School of the Performing Arts received Illinois Theatre Association’s 2025 Award of Excellence
On August 9, 2025, Tiffany Gates, as Education Director, on behalf of the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts, was honored to receive the Illinois Theatre Association’s 2025 Award of Excellence in Creative Drama/Theatre for Young Audiences.

WINTER BREAK 2025 CAMPS

December 29-31, 2025
REGISTER HERE

SPRING 2026 CALENDAR

GROUP CLASSES
January 12-May 22, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION

PRIVATE LESSONS
January 12-May 22, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION

SPRING PLAY AUDITIONS
The Suspicious Butler: January 30-31, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION

SPRING BREAK CAMPS
March 23-27, 2026
REGISTER HERE

Metropolis School of the Performing Arts offers SCHOLARSHIPS for all classes, lessons, camps and workshops. Applications are open year-round. Past recipients are welcomed and encouraged to reapply.
To apply, email sopa@metropolisarts.com or call 847.577.5982 x221 for assistance.

To purchase digital gifts cards for camps, classes, or workshops,
please call us at 847.577.5982 x221 or email sopa@metropolisarts.com.
*Not valid for show tickets.

Metropolis School of the Performing Arts is a 2025 ITA award-winning performing arts school that enriches the lives of thousands of students ranging from toddlers to seniors. Metropolis curates an arts curriculum for students of all ages and abilities, including those with special and different needs.

We provide programming and curriculum in multiple performing arts disciplines, including musical theatre, drama, voice, improvisation, dance, instrumental, and much more.

Classroom space is located on the 2nd floor of Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, and we are proud to offer our students several opportunities to perform on the Metropolis stage in front of an audience.

We serve the northwest suburbs of Chicago, including Arlington Heights, Palatine, Mt. Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Des Plaines, and more.

General Policies

GENERAL POLICIES:

School Closing
If Metropolis closes due to inclement weather or other emergency, notification will be sent via email. If classes or lessons are canceled due to inclement weather, all affected classes will be rescheduled to the best of the school’s ability. If a student is not able to attend the scheduled make-up class or lesson, no refunds will be offered. If Metropolis is not able to reschedule the class, a prorated refund for that affected class will be offered.

Weather Emergencies
In case of extreme weather conditions (tornado, severe thunderstorm, etc.), Metropolis will abide by the following procedures in accordance to the Village of Arlington Heights Emergency Guidelines:

If weather sirens go off:

  1. Metropolis staff will make sure that all students and faculty are immediately indoors.
  2. Students, faculty, and staff will proceed to the Men’s and Women’s restrooms on the east side of the theatre lobby when news outlets send notification to take shelter.
  3. Parents/guardians entering Metropolis during an emergency weather situation should proceed to the Men’s and Women’s restrooms.

Lockdown Procedure
In the event of an immediate threat, Metropolis follows a lockdown procedure. Metropolis faculty and staff have undergone safety training recommended by the Arlington Heights Police Department.

Behavior
We support the inclusion of all students enrolled in our programs. However, if a student is violent, disrespectful, or disruptive during the learning process, notice will be given and actions will be taken to rectify the situation. A verbal warning will be issued, followed by guardian contact in the case of a minor. After these measures, if the behavior continues, the student may be asked to leave the program. No credits or refunds will be issued in this case.

Media Policy
By registering for instruction, permission is given to Metropolis and its affiliates to use photographs and/or video of programs and activities that contain an image of you/your participant. Media will be utilized for the limited purposes of promotion, information, and advertising. Students will never be identified using first and last names without receiving special permission to do so. If it’s preferred that you/your child not be featured in any images or videos, please submit a written request to sopa@metropolisarts.com.

PRIVATE LESSON POLICIES:

All new private students are eligible for a thirty minute trial lesson for a fee of $30 prior to committing to a weekly lesson time. Following the trial lesson, the office will reach out for scheduling and to set up billing.

Billing
Lessons will be charged on the first business day of the following month. All regularly scheduled lessons will be charged, regardless of the student’s attendance. Make-up lessons will not be billed.

Refunds / Cancellations
No refunds will be given after billing has occurred, regardless of student attendance. To cancel lessons permanently or to take a break, families must give notice by the 15th of the month prior to the month they wish to cancel lessons. Any requests submitted after the 15th will be billed in full for the next month, and canceled the following month. If a student takes a break from private lessons, even with the intent to return, time slots may not be retained.

Excused Absences
For an absence to be documented as excused, 24 hours’ notice must be given to the office or private lesson faculty member. If an absence is unexcused, it is not eligible for a make-up lesson.

Make-Up Lessons
Faculty are required to offer one make-up lesson per 4 month period if 24 hours’ notice is given. Faculty are not obligated to offer make-up lessons for subsequent absences even when notice is given. Our faculty has very limited availability for make-up lessons and we ask families to please be respectful of their time. One excused absence every 4 months is eligible for a make-up lesson: January – April; May – August; September – December.

GROUP CLASS POLICIES:

Payment
Payment is due in full at the time of registration. Payments can be made online or over the phone.

Refunds
There is a non-refundable $40 fee for all withdrawn registrations. No refunds will be made once the second week of classes begins. If a student is looking to transfer to another class, this must be done within the first week of the semester.

Cancellations
If group classes are canceled in the instance of instructor illness or emergency, faculty members will host a make-up class at a later date. The make-up class date will be communicated to families as soon as possible. If a make-up class cannot be rescheduled, a refund will be given for the missed class.

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

Questions? Contact Us At

Email: sopa@metropolisarts.com
Call: 847.577.5982 x221

School Interest Form

  • If you are interested in learning more about Private Lessons please complete the form on the Private Lessons page.