Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for a class?

The quickest way is to hit the ‘Enrol Now’ button top right of the website (then select the location you would like to attend), or the ‘Enrol Now’ buttons on the class pages, don’t like online forms? You can register over the phone by calling us!

Re-registration is no stress! Once you have attended one term, your registration is guaranteed for the subsequent term by responding to our confirmation request sent out mid-term.

How is Lights Up different from other theatre schools?

We cater to the individual needs of each student. Whether children need a boost in self-confidence or want to become professional actors, we can help and support them on their journeys. We offer well-rounded programs that cover singing, dancing and acting in the same place at the same time. So, there’s no need to drive around to different locations for different classes.

Who teaches the classes?

All of our teachers are trained in performing arts. Many of them have worked professionally and some are still regular performers in the Vancouver theatre community. To find out more about our teachers, click here.

How much do your classes cost?

Class fees vary depending on the class duration/age range.

Please click the class page relevant to your son or daughter’s age below for more information about fees.

My child is disabled or has special needs, can they attend Lights Up?

Yes! Lights Up is a fully inclusive program and EVERYONE of age is welcome to try our programs, regardless of their situation or condition.

Be it a physical or learning disability, your child is welcome to try our classes. Our group class environment and supportive teachers make for a welcoming and fun experience for everyone.

Many of our facilities are wheelchair accessible and we do our best to accommodate students individual needs, whatever they may be. We suggest you reach out to us by CONTACTING US prior to registration to discuss your child’s specific requirements so we can formulate a plan to make their first classes welcoming and fun.

My child is very shy. Will Lights Up help them?

Yes! We value meeting students where they are at and helping them to gain confidence and overcome barriers. Many students flourish at Lights Up and other aspects of their lives after being very hesitant to join in at first.

Can you help if my child is interested in performing professionally?

We cater to children of all abilities – from the very shy to those who are beginning to perform professionally. Our principals and teachers are all professionals in the performing arts industry and are happy to advise and offer suggestions for those wishing to perform professionally.

The current term is ending, we want to continue next term, what do we do?

We are an ongoing skills building program and many students attend our classes for term after term, some for many years!

Rather than request parents re-enrol each session, we offer every student attending weekly classes (Starlight, Spotlight and The Company) a guaranteed place for the next ‘term’. Towards the end of the current term, we send you a simple link to rebook your child’s classes for the following term. There is no need to register again on the website!

Getting up early on the sign up date to snag a spot is a stress you will never have at Lights Up!

What if my child doesn’t like the classes after we join?

We are confident your child will enjoy their time at Lights Up, however we do understand singing, dancing and acting may not be for everyone, but everyone is more than welcome to give it a try!

When you enroll, we only take a deposit that holds your spot in the program and also covers your first two weeks of classes (we always suggest trying 2 weeks as week 1 is always new, by week 2 they will have made some friends and have a good idea of what our classes are all about). If after the first 2 weeks, you decide, for whatever reason not to continue for the remaining classes of the term, you can cancel your place but contacting us before the 3rd week, we will unenroll you and your fee balance will no longer be payable or will be refunded.

For afterschool programs, full payment is required for registration, however, we will of course refund any balance of fees if your child decides they do not wish to continue. As for our other programs, we encourage them to try 2 weeks!

What is your cancellation policy if we need to cancel or change a program?

We understand circumstances change, especially with our busy and often complicated kids schedules!

Our terms and conditions allow for stress free switching of classes, timely cancellations, credits and refunds.

Please visit this link for our full terms and conditions for registration;

Lights Up Sign Up Terms & Conditions

Does my child require dance shoes?

If they are 6yrs and older and attending Spotlight or the Company programs YES!

Dance shoes greatly aid dance and prevent trips and slips. We recommend lace up or slip on Jazz or Dance shoes in black.

You can purchase from our preferred supplier ‘Just Imagine Costumes‘ who offer 10% discounts for Lights Up. OR other dance shops in your area.

Younger students attending Starlight do not require specific footwear, please wear light indoor shoes to classes.

Are there additional costs on top of the class fees each term?

New students pay a one time sign-up/admin fee of $30 when they first join a Lights Up weekend program. They will be provided with a Lights Up shirt, bag, and water bottle. Older students in Spotlight and the Company also get a folder for class material, lyrics etc. We are an ongoing program and this is only payable the first time you join a weekly program. Its also waived for returning students who may have missed a term or two, as long as it is within 2 years.

We hold theatre performances several times a year, these shows are ticketed events for attendees to cover the additional costs of theatre rental and staffing. Ticket costs are kept as low as possible to only cover additional theatre costs. In 2022 tickets for shows were $20.

We also require all students attending Spotlight and the Company to have dance shoes for safety and to aid dance.

There are no fees for costumes or props, all are provided by Lights Up.

Do you charge a costume fee for performances?

No! Any costumes required are provided by Lights Up. If we do ask for costuming from home it is minimal (ex. a white t shirt). When performing in a theatre, we do sell tickets to cover basic rental costs, but prices are kept at a minimum to make the experience affordable for family and friends.

What do we need to pay to register?

All programs require a deposit to register and hold your place in your chosen program. Deposits are deducted from the balance of fees due for the term of classes or camp, which is payable 30 days before the commencement of the program (we will send you reminders for this!).

Deposits per student for weekly programs are; $75 for Starlight, $100 for Spotlight and the Company.

For camps a deposit of $50 is required to book each camp for each student.

Deposits are collected via credit card on the website using the STRIPE payment system, or over the phone by calling us to register.

What performance opportunities do you offer?

There’s lots of opportunity to perform at Lights Up! We are a skills building program with the emphasis on time in the classroom but putting on a show is integral to the work we do at Lights Up and we LOVE to show off onstage!

For weekly classes, at the end of each term (Fall, Winter and Spring) we hold performances. This vary from casual in-house presentations, lead by our teachers to large-scale productions at some of the cities finest theatres. In the past we have performed at the Vancouver Playhouse, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, The York Theatre, The Cultch and more!

Find out more about our performance opportunities here.

My child has little or no experience with performing arts, are they able to join Lights Up?

YES! Everyone is welcome to give Lights Up a try! No experience is required to join our programs, some students may have lots of past experience, others may be starting out on their performing journey and everyone is welcome. It makes for a great class dynamic to have students of different abilities and skill sets working alongside each other.

We are proud to be a fully inclusive program. Everyone is welcome to join Lights Up regardless of background, medical/learning conditions or individual situation.

What ages do you offer classes for?

We offer weekly classes for students between the ages of 3 and 18yrs; Starlight for 3-5yrs, Spotlight for 6-13yrs (students are divided into 3 different groups, split by age) and The Company for 13-18yrs.

Spring Break and Summer Camps are for 4-12yr olds, half day camps for 4-6yrs, full day camps for 6-12yrs. Students are divided into groups, split by age.

After School programs take place in elementary schools by arrangement with the school/PAC. These programs are for grades K and up.

Will my child be with other children their age? What if they have no prior experience?

At Lights Up, we believe in grouping students by age, not experience or skill level. Students are split into class groups based on age in all our programs and camps so peer groups are maintained and new friendships can flourish!

How long is a term at Lights Up?

There are three terms per year: Winter, Fall, and Spring. Each term is 10 weeks long. During the summer and spring break, we offer week-long day camps. After school programs are usually 8-12 weeks long as per arrangement with the school and PAC.

Lights Up is an ongoing program, current students have a guaranteed place for the next term, no need to register again online! You can book your continuing place via our email confirmation sent to you as the end of the current term approaches.

When are the classes?

Weekly classes run on Saturdays and Sundays (select programs), either morning or afternoon. Day camps run Mon-Fri during Spring break and Summer holidays. Afterschool programs (by arrangement of the school PAC) can operate on select days immediately after school finishes.

What does my child need to wear to Lights Up?

When you first join Lights Up weekend programs, you pay a one-time $30 sign up/kit fee. This covers the cost of your student kit including; T-Shirt, a bag and a folder for storing lyrics and scripts. We encourage children to pair their Lights Up shirt with black leggings or sweat pants. Dance shoes (Jazz Shoes or gym slippers for younger students) are required footwear for our Spotlight and Company programs, they prevent slips and trips and aid dance technique, these can be purchased at any dance store.

Students attending Starlight programs, camps or after-school programs DO NOT require specific dance footwear, please wear indoor type shoes (no gum boots, crocs, flip flips etc..)

What if I am not able to attend a class?

We encourage students to attend every week, but understand that this is not always possible but having notice of absences helps us plan accordingly, if you will be missing a class one week or a day or camp please email us via any email we have sent you.

Back to Classes

How do I book a camp place?

Click on our camps page, from there you will see links to the different areas of the Lower Mainland we have camps operating, hit the closest page to your home. Select the camp you wish to register for. We only collect a $50 deposit to book your spot, with the remaining fee balance payable 30 days before the camp begins. We will email you enrolment confirmation, camp details, fee balance reminders etc.

What are the camp age ranges? Can kids do either half or full day camps?

Half day camps are for kids ages 4-6yrs. Full day camps are for 6-13yrs. If your child is 6yrs old they can attend either the half or full day camps.

As Half day camp material is designed for children 4-6yrs, students over 6 yrs of age may find the pace of our half day camp too slow, so please register for the full day options.

My child is new to theatre, or had little or no experience, can they still join a camp?

Yes! No previous experience is necessary to join any Lights Up camp or program. Our camps welcome both complete beginners and experienced students. This makes for a great dynamic within our camp groups.

What songs and dances will my child be learning on camp?

Camp material varies from week to week and we do not pre-set the curriculum but its based around the weeks theme. Our experienced instructors select material that will suit each individual class and camp. This flexibility allows us to tailor the experience to every child and every class!

Are there additional costs on top of fees for camps?

No!

Any costume pieces or props are provided by Lights Up. We may ask kids to wear ‘colours’ for show day.

There are no tickets for camp shows on Friday, everyone is welcome to attend free of charge.

You will need to send a packed lunch/snack for breaktime.

Which camp theme should I pick?

Camps all follow the same structure, with a different theme each week. This allows children to attend several Lights Up camps in a season, but never repeat material and keeps things fresh for our instructors. We suggest you sign up for the weeks that work best for you, regardless of theme. All camps are equally fun to be part of!

Do kids need lunch at camps?

Yes! We don’t provide food on camp. Please being a school style packed lunch for full day camps, we usually spend time in local parks for lunch and games (weather permitting). For half day camps, please being snacks for our break time.

What are the camp hours?

Camps are 5 days long Monday-Friday. Half day camps run 9.15am-12.15pm. Full day camps run 9am-3pm.We hold a performance for family on the Friday, 11.45am for Half day campers, 2pm for full day campers.

What do I wear to camp?

Light clothing that easy to move in. Track pants and a t shirt are perfect, shorts in the summer months as we do move about a lot and it gets hot!

Dance specific footwear is not required for camps but if you have them already please wear them as they aid dance. If not please wear light indoor, non marking soled shoes. NO crocks or flipflops etc.. these can be dangerous for dancing. NO outdoor hiking shoes or gumboots please. If you wear to camp please bring something lighter and indoor to change into… Just like school!

 

How is Lights Up different from other theatre schools?

We cater to the individual needs of each student. Whether children need a boost in self-confidence or want to become professional actors, we can help and support them on their journeys. We offer well-rounded programs that cover singing, dancing and acting in the same place at the same time. So, there’s no need to drive around to different locations for different classes.

Who teaches the classes?

All of our teachers are trained in performing arts. Many of them have worked professionally and some are still regular performers in the Vancouver theatre community. To find out more about our teachers, click here.

My child is disabled or has special needs, can they attend Lights Up?

Yes! Lights Up is a fully inclusive program and EVERYONE of age is welcome to try our programs, regardless of their situation or condition.

Be it a physical or learning disability, your child is welcome to try our classes. Our group class environment and supportive teachers make for a welcoming and fun experience for everyone.

Many of our facilities are wheelchair accessible and we do our best to accommodate students individual needs, whatever they may be. We suggest you reach out to us by CONTACTING US prior to registration to discuss your child’s specific requirements so we can formulate a plan to make their first classes welcoming and fun.

My child is very shy. Will Lights Up help them?

Yes! We value meeting students where they are at and helping them to gain confidence and overcome barriers. Many students flourish at Lights Up and other aspects of their lives after being very hesitant to join in at first.

What is your cancellation policy if we need to cancel or change a program?

We understand circumstances change, especially with our busy and often complicated kids schedules!

Our terms and conditions allow for stress free switching of classes, timely cancellations, credits and refunds.

Please visit this link for our full terms and conditions for registration;

Lights Up Sign Up Terms & Conditions

Do you charge a costume fee for performances?

No! Any costumes required are provided by Lights Up. If we do ask for costuming from home it is minimal (ex. a white t shirt). When performing in a theatre, we do sell tickets to cover basic rental costs, but prices are kept at a minimum to make the experience affordable for family and friends.

What do we need to pay to register?

All programs require a deposit to register and hold your place in your chosen program. Deposits are deducted from the balance of fees due for the term of classes or camp, which is payable 30 days before the commencement of the program (we will send you reminders for this!).

Deposits per student for weekly programs are; $75 for Starlight, $100 for Spotlight and the Company.

For camps a deposit of $50 is required to book each camp for each student.

Deposits are collected via credit card on the website using the STRIPE payment system, or over the phone by calling us to register.

What ages do you offer classes for?

We offer weekly classes for students between the ages of 3 and 18yrs; Starlight for 3-5yrs, Spotlight for 6-13yrs (students are divided into 3 different groups, split by age) and The Company for 13-18yrs.

Spring Break and Summer Camps are for 4-12yr olds, half day camps for 4-6yrs, full day camps for 6-12yrs. Students are divided into groups, split by age.

After School programs take place in elementary schools by arrangement with the school/PAC. These programs are for grades K and up.

Will my child be with other children their age? What if they have no prior experience?

At Lights Up, we believe in grouping students by age, not experience or skill level. Students are split into class groups based on age in all our programs and camps so peer groups are maintained and new friendships can flourish!

When are the classes?

Weekly classes run on Saturdays and Sundays (select programs), either morning or afternoon. Day camps run Mon-Fri during Spring break and Summer holidays. Afterschool programs (by arrangement of the school PAC) can operate on select days immediately after school finishes.

What does my child need to wear to Lights Up?

When you first join Lights Up weekend programs, you pay a one-time $30 sign up/kit fee. This covers the cost of your student kit including; T-Shirt, a bag and a folder for storing lyrics and scripts. We encourage children to pair their Lights Up shirt with black leggings or sweat pants. Dance shoes (Jazz Shoes or gym slippers for younger students) are required footwear for our Spotlight and Company programs, they prevent slips and trips and aid dance technique, these can be purchased at any dance store.

Students attending Starlight programs, camps or after-school programs DO NOT require specific dance footwear, please wear indoor type shoes (no gum boots, crocs, flip flips etc..)

What if I am not able to attend a class?

We encourage students to attend every week, but understand that this is not always possible but having notice of absences helps us plan accordingly, if you will be missing a class one week or a day or camp please email us via any email we have sent you.

Back to Camps

Do I have to pick up my child and drop them off after school?

No! We supervise students right from the bell. You get a few extra hours! Kindergarten students are collected from their classrooms, and all other grade levels meet in a designated spot within the school at dismissal time.

Can all grades (K-7) participate?

Yes! All our programs have a minimum of two instructors so students can be split into groups based on their grade level.

How is Lights Up different from other theatre schools?

We cater to the individual needs of each student. Whether children need a boost in self-confidence or want to become professional actors, we can help and support them on their journeys. We offer well-rounded programs that cover singing, dancing and acting in the same place at the same time. So, there’s no need to drive around to different locations for different classes.

Who teaches the classes?

All of our teachers are trained in performing arts. Many of them have worked professionally and some are still regular performers in the Vancouver theatre community. To find out more about our teachers, click here.

Will there be a performance for parents?

Yes! All our after school programs culminate in a performance for friends and family on the last day of classes.

How much do your classes cost?

Class fees vary depending on the class duration/age range.

Please click the class page relevant to your son or daughter’s age below for more information about fees.

My child is disabled or has special needs, can they attend Lights Up?

Yes! Lights Up is a fully inclusive program and EVERYONE of age is welcome to try our programs, regardless of their situation or condition.

Be it a physical or learning disability, your child is welcome to try our classes. Our group class environment and supportive teachers make for a welcoming and fun experience for everyone.

Many of our facilities are wheelchair accessible and we do our best to accommodate students individual needs, whatever they may be. We suggest you reach out to us by CONTACTING US prior to registration to discuss your child’s specific requirements so we can formulate a plan to make their first classes welcoming and fun.

My child is very shy. Will Lights Up help them?

Yes! We value meeting students where they are at and helping them to gain confidence and overcome barriers. Many students flourish at Lights Up and other aspects of their lives after being very hesitant to join in at first.

What if my child doesn’t like the classes after we join?

We are confident your child will enjoy their time at Lights Up, however we do understand singing, dancing and acting may not be for everyone, but everyone is more than welcome to give it a try!

When you enroll, we only take a deposit that holds your spot in the program and also covers your first two weeks of classes (we always suggest trying 2 weeks as week 1 is always new, by week 2 they will have made some friends and have a good idea of what our classes are all about). If after the first 2 weeks, you decide, for whatever reason not to continue for the remaining classes of the term, you can cancel your place but contacting us before the 3rd week, we will unenroll you and your fee balance will no longer be payable or will be refunded.

For afterschool programs, full payment is required for registration, however, we will of course refund any balance of fees if your child decides they do not wish to continue. As for our other programs, we encourage them to try 2 weeks!

What is your cancellation policy if we need to cancel or change a program?

We understand circumstances change, especially with our busy and often complicated kids schedules!

Our terms and conditions allow for stress free switching of classes, timely cancellations, credits and refunds.

Please visit this link for our full terms and conditions for registration;

Lights Up Sign Up Terms & Conditions

My child has little or no experience with performing arts, are they able to join Lights Up?

YES! Everyone is welcome to give Lights Up a try! No experience is required to join our programs, some students may have lots of past experience, others may be starting out on their performing journey and everyone is welcome. It makes for a great class dynamic to have students of different abilities and skill sets working alongside each other.

We are proud to be a fully inclusive program. Everyone is welcome to join Lights Up regardless of background, medical/learning conditions or individual situation.

What does my child need to wear to Lights Up?

When you first join Lights Up weekend programs, you pay a one-time $30 sign up/kit fee. This covers the cost of your student kit including; T-Shirt, a bag and a folder for storing lyrics and scripts. We encourage children to pair their Lights Up shirt with black leggings or sweat pants. Dance shoes (Jazz Shoes or gym slippers for younger students) are required footwear for our Spotlight and Company programs, they prevent slips and trips and aid dance technique, these can be purchased at any dance store.

Students attending Starlight programs, camps or after-school programs DO NOT require specific dance footwear, please wear indoor type shoes (no gum boots, crocs, flip flips etc..)

Back to After School