Education at Steel River
Your Creative Playground
A variety of year-round programs to help you develop a greater knowledge and love of the performing arts, whatever your age or experience.
Year-Round Programming
Think of Steel River as your creative and performing arts playground — offering a variety of programs to develop a greater knowledge and love of the performing arts, whatever your experience level.
Private Lessons
12-week sessions
One-on-one instruction in acting, voice, ukulele, bass, and guitar.
Group Classes
6–8 week sessions
Online registration opens each semester — email us for scheduling options that fit your needs.
Summer Performance Workshop
Ages 16–21
A deeper dive into performance over the summer, culminating in a public presentation.
Registration, Fees & Class Policies
Nondiscrimination Policy
Steel River Playhouse does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.
Modification or Cancellation of Classes
Steel River Playhouse reserves the right to add, delete, or modify classes, workshops, and lessons, times, fees, and instructors at its discretion. In the event of a class cancellation, students will be notified and given the opportunity to enroll in another class or will receive a credit or refund.
Class Registration
Tuition must be paid in full before the first day of class. Steel River Playhouse does not pro-rate group classes due to late registration or missed classes. Submission of your completed registration form and payment of tuition and the $20 annual registration fee (for summer camp and private lessons) constitutes your lesson confirmation unless otherwise notified of a change or cancellation. Those enrolling in group classes or master class workshops online do not need to pay the registration fee.
Tuition Assistance
Steel River Playhouse has a limited number of partial tuition waivers available each year for Group Classes and Summer Camp. Complete this request form and email it to education@steelriver.org.
Absences and Cancellations
As a courtesy to your teacher, please notify them as soon as possible if you’ll be missing class (aim for 48 hours in advance for all but unavoidable emergencies). If an instructor is unable to attend, Steel River Playhouse will attempt to provide a substitute or schedule a makeup class. No refunds or deductions are made for student or teacher absences or weather-related cancellations, though every attempt will be made to schedule a makeup within the semester. The 12th week of each semester is Recital week, though normal lesson time that week may be used for makeup lessons.
School Cancellations and Closing Information
An email will be sent to all students if classes must be cancelled due to weather — please check your email approximately an hour before class. We’ll also try to post a notice on our website and, if possible, on our outgoing phone message. Every attempt will be made to make up classes and private lessons missed due to a closing; no refunds are provided for weather-related cancellations.
Parent/Caregiver Responsibilities
Steel River Playhouse staff and instructors are not responsible for children before or after class and lesson times — please be prompt delivering and picking up your children. Students are not permitted to exit the building unless accompanied by a parent or caregiver, unless the instructor has been notified in writing with alternate instructions. Parents/guardians who pick up their children more than 10 minutes after class ends will be charged $10 for each additional 10 minutes; please plan accordingly.
Registration Process
Please fill out a separate registration form for each student. Register by mail (Steel River Playhouse, P.O. Box 1325, Pottstown, PA 19464), in person (245 High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 — call 610.970.1199 ahead to confirm staff availability), or by email (education@steelriver.org). Registration is not complete until payment is also received.
Annual Registration Fee
A $20 registration fee applies each year for students enrolled in private lessons or summer camp programs, due once per year (July 1 – June 30). Students enrolled in both private lessons pay only one annual fee. Registration fees are not refundable for any reason.
Method of Payment
Steel River Playhouse accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Please make checks payable to “Steel River Playhouse.”
Credit Card Payment Plan
Tuition for classes, private lessons, and summer camp may be broken into payments automatically drafted from a credit card every 2 weeks for the duration of the registered session(s). An additional $10 fee applies each time a credit card payment plan is set up.
Overdue Accounts and Returned Checks
As a nonprofit arts organization, Steel River Playhouse depends on timely payment of tuition and fees to meet its financial obligations, including teacher compensation. A fee of $25 applies for returned checks or for payment requests that require reminders. Steel River Playhouse reserves the right to suspend instruction for students who do not meet their financial obligations.
Class Withdrawal Policy
Withdrawals made at least two weeks prior to the first day of class will be refunded less the $20 annual registration fee; no refunds or credits after that point. If registered for more than one semester at a discount, a partial refund may be issued with at least two weeks’ notice prior to the new semester. There are no refunds or credits for days missed due to illness (though reschedules within the semester will be attempted, up to two), and no refunds or credits for Master Classes and Workshops.
Private Lesson Policy
Sessions
Private lessons run on a rotating 12-week semester cycle year-round (a week off at Thanksgiving, two weeks off around the winter holidays — students may use “off” weeks to make up missed lessons with instructor approval). Students sign up for the year with one registration form. If you’re a NEW student, please email our Education Director at education@steelriver.org to plan your class before sending in your enrollment sheet and payment.
Withdrawal & Payment Options
Students may withdraw from formal study with two weeks’ notice, though their lesson slot may be filled if they wish to return later. Students may reschedule three absences per year before instructors may refuse further reschedules. Paying for the full year in advance earns a discount; monthly payment (first month paid in full, or via credit card payment plan) is available at the full year rate. Discounts also apply to full-semester or six-week try-it payments. Withdrawing early from a one-year plan may result in a charge for the difference between the discounted and actual price of study. Refer a friend for solo study and receive a $10 gift certificate if they enroll!
Try-It Lessons
Try-it lessons are available with all solo instructors, with full payment for one lesson. Students planning to continue with an instructor should bring a filled-out registration form to the try-it lesson to speed up scheduling of the following lesson. Session registration and payment must be received one week prior to the planned lesson to ensure instructor availability.
New Students
New students are anyone who doesn’t already have a private lesson instructor with Steel River, or who hasn’t been enrolled in a class within the past three years. Complete and return the New Student Registration Form (with payment), including the availability section — the Solo Lesson Coordinator will use this to arrange a private lesson instructor. If an assignment can’t be made, Steel River will provide a full refund.
Returning Students
Returning students are anyone who already has (and wishes to continue with) a Steel River private lesson instructor. Complete the Returning Student Form the first time registering within the current year. Students may not attend lessons without official registration and payment received one week prior to the initial session start date, unless extended in writing by Steel River Playhouse.
Missed Lessons & Make-Ups
Registering for a specific private lesson date/time reserves that appointment, and students are expected to attend weekly. Makeup sessions may be given at the instructor’s discretion for illness or lessons rescheduled with sufficient notice (48 hours required to ensure a makeup). With advance notice, a student can arrange with their teacher to hold the lesson at a different time within the same week; if no reschedule date can be found within the week, the lesson must be made up during the same semester or it’s forfeited without refund. If a teacher must miss a lesson, a reschedule within the week or a substitute will be provided. Lesson weeks are considered Monday – Sunday.
Tuition Payment
Payment should be provided in full one week prior to the start of a session to assure instructor availability; students not paid in full (or on a payment plan) may be denied instruction until the balance is paid. Best rates apply to those who pay for a full semester or year in advance. Enrollment is accepted on a rolling basis, with prorated payments possible for mid-semester starts. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted; credit card payment plans withdraw automatically every 2 weeks (additional $10 fee). The $20 annual registration fee applies once per year for private instruction and summer camp. Vocal students planning to perform in a recital pay a $10 recital pianist fee per recital ($30 total for the year, covering an accompanist for rehearsal and performance) — there are three recitals per year.
Refunds
Full refunds (less the annual registration fee) are only granted with written notice of cancellation at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the session. No refunds are given once the session has started, as instructors have worked their schedule around you — signing up for classes constitutes a signed contract.
Recitals
Recital dates are announced within the first week of classes. Teachers determine which students are prepared to participate and choose appropriate material for their level — not all students are expected to participate each recital, but Steel River encourages participation as frequently as possible. Vocal students are the only ones required to pay a recital fee, since a piano player is required for their participation.
Questions? Who to Contact
Initial lesson assignment: education@steelriver.org. Payment: Michelle Eckman, Business Manager, at michelle.eckman@steelriver.org. Missed lessons, rescheduling, and recital material: contact your instructor directly. Private lesson policies and procedures: education@steelriver.org.
Questions, or want to make an appointment? Email the Education Department or browse current classes.