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[title]Dance
Bounding Boys at the Ailey School
Billy Elliot aside, there's still a stigma against boys who are into ballet. That's why the famed Alvin Ailey academy offers this weekly lads-only class where graceful guys can improve coordination and rhythm with tumbling, music and movement. The best part? No auditioning is required. The Ailey School, 405 W 55th St at Ninth Ave (212-405-9000, theaileyschool.edu). Call for schedule. $880 per school year. Ages 4 to 6.
Fairies & Fantasy at In Grandma's Attic
If ballet conjures up images of cutthroat competition and a struggle for perfection, think again. Director Deborah Bailay fosters a lifelong love for movement with her alternative creative ballet program, which focuses as much on the imaginative aspects of performance as on dance technique. On a typical day, wee ballerinas—and ballerinos, too—listen to a classic fairy tale, then bring it to life through improvisational dance, costumes and props. In Grandma's Attic, various venues (212-726-2362, ingrandmasattic.com). Schedules and pricing vary by location. Ages 3 to 6.
Hip-Hop Dance at Brooklyn Arts Exchange
Instructor Belinda He kicks out the jams in this body-rockin' class, where classic and modern urban-dance techniques are blended with freestyle movements. All routines are set to kid-friendly tracks. Brooklyn Arts Exchange, 421 Fifth Ave at 8th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-832-0018, bax.org). Sept 13--Dec 18, Sat 11:45am--12:45pm. $204. Ages 8 to 12.
Indian Dance with NYC Bhangra
Megha Kalia offers her Punjabi dance classes to tots around the city and the demand is high. (Brooklyn classes begin in the fall.) Youngsters learn the pulsating rhythm and dynamic steps of Indian dances like bhangra and giddha—all incorporate clapping, hopping and colorful costumes. Pearl Studio, 500 Eighth Ave between 35th and 36th Sts (nycbhangra.com, 212-372-8001). Call for schedule and pricing. Ages 4 and up.
Music
Guitar for Children at Third Street Music School Settlement
Don't let your kids think they can whale on an axe just because they kick butt in Rock Band. Thanks to a variety of techniques, including the immersive Suzuki method, students in this intro class should be playing songs by the end of the first session and have developed a solid foundation in classical, jazz and rock guitar by the end of the year. Once they master the basics, kids are encouraged to join one of the Settlement's student ensembles. Third Street Music School Settlement, 235 E 11th St between Second and Third Aves (212-777-3240, thirdstreetmusicschool.org). Call for schedule. $800 for 32 weeks. Ages 6 to 10.
Musical Theater Workshop at the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music
If your child is a Broadway baby, he might already know about this popular musical-theater program, housed in the conservatory's 100-year-old Victorian mansion. Instructor Matthew Deming uses song-and-dance routines from the Great White Way to teach vocal techniques, script analysis and other skills—with occasional help from working Broadway performers. At the end of the semester, the kids make like Judy and Mickey and put on a show. Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music, 58 Seventh Ave at Lincoln Pl, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-622-3300, bqcm.org). Sept 23--Jun 13, Tue 5:30--7pm. $435. Ages 8 and up.
Prelude at Young People's Chorus of New York City
Sophia Miller conducts the Prelude Chorus, the youngest of the YPC's five youth ensembles. Using the Kodly method, students improve breathing and posture, learn sight-reading and vocalization, and can end up performing at venues ranging from local schools to Lincoln Center. There is an audition, in which kids sing a song of their choice, but no formal experience is required. Young People's Chorus of New York City at the 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave at 92nd St (212-289-7779, ypc.org). Starts Sept 9. Thu 4:30--6pm. E-mail sdelgado@ypc.org for price information. Ages 7 to 10.
Theater
52nd Street Project
This program in Hell's Kitchen matches up neighborhood kids with theater pros (past mentors have included actors Billy Crudup and Edie Falco) to create original plays and musicals. Each year, 20 nine- and ten-year-olds are accepted, and most continue with the program through high school. 500 W 52nd St at Tenth Ave (212-333-5252, 52project.org). Free. Sept 13--end of school year; call for schedule. Ages 9 to 10.
Creators at Atlantic Acting School
You can hardly get a better pedigree than the Atlantic Theater Company—it was founded by actor William H. Macy and director David Mamet and offers drama classes for kids from pre-K to high school. The program incorporates storytelling, structured movement and improvisation, and teaches kids how to add elements of their own personality into playwriting and performance. The semester wraps up with a public production. Atlantic Acting School, 76 Ninth Ave at 16th St (212-691-5919, atlanticactingschool.org). $375 for an eight- to ten-week session. Call for schedule. Ages 6 to 8.
JCC Youth Theatre
Students at the UWS cultural center's drama class don't just learn stagecraft—they put it to use in a full-on theatrical production. This semester, instructor Sasha Nanus directs The Wizard of Oz. No auditions required. JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave between 75th and 76th Sts (646-505-5708, jccnyc.org). Oct 17--Mar 13, Sun 10:30am--12:30pm. $450, members $400. Ages 9 to 13.
Kids 'N Comedy at the Gotham Comedy Club
If your kid insists on being the class clown, you might as well show her how the pros do it at the Chelsea stand-up joint's young comedians' workshop (which counts Josh Peck from Nick's Drake & Josh among its alumni). Wee wiseacres study their favorite comics on video, learn how to write and perform jokes, and get to bounce material off working comedians. At the end of the class, students perform on the Gotham Comedy Club stage. Gotham Comedy Club, 208 W 23rd St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-877-6115, kidsncomedy.com). Sept 23--Nov 20, Sat 11:30am--1:30pm. $550 for nine weeks. Ages 10 and up.