2025-2026 Season - FULL TERM CLASSES
MUSICAL THEATER - The Sound of Music
The hills will be alive with the sound of music this season as we venture to Austria with this beloved classic musical! Backlight Musical Theater students will join professional and youth actors to be featured members of the cast of this full broadway musical. No auditions required, but all new students will need to have an introductory meeting with a Backlight staff member prior to being casted.
STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN THIS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ASSIGNED TO ONE OF TWO CASTS.
1.CAST - "DO"
Rehearses from 11am-1pm on Mondays
Dress Rehearsal = Thursday, May 28 - 9am-5pm
Performance = May 30 @ 2pm (call time 12pm)
2. CAST - "RE"
Rehearses from 1:30pm-3:30pm on Mondays
Dress Rehearsal = Friday, May 29 - 9am-5pm
Performance = May 31 @ 2pm (call time 12pm)
Mandatory Theater Preview Day = Friday, May 22 11am-1pm (Cast "Do") & 1:30pm-3:30pm (Cast "Re") *there will be no rehearsal on Monday, May 25 due to Memorial Day
Dress Rehearsals & Performances will be at Christ Presbyterian Academy's Soli Deo Center
***If your student needs to be in a particular cast due to time conflicts, please note this in your registration, otherwise, you will be notified of your cast assignment on September 1***
The hills will be alive with the sound of music this season as we venture to Austria with this beloved classic musical! Backlight Musical Theater students will join professional and youth actors to be featured members of the cast of this full broadway musical. No auditions required, but all new students will need to have an introductory meeting with a Backlight staff member prior to being casted.
STUDENTS WHO ENROLL IN THIS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ASSIGNED TO ONE OF TWO CASTS.
1.CAST - "DO"
Rehearses from 11am-1pm on Mondays
Dress Rehearsal = Thursday, May 28 - 9am-5pm
Performance = May 30 @ 2pm (call time 12pm)
2. CAST - "RE"
Rehearses from 1:30pm-3:30pm on Mondays
Dress Rehearsal = Friday, May 29 - 9am-5pm
Performance = May 31 @ 2pm (call time 12pm)
Mandatory Theater Preview Day = Friday, May 22 11am-1pm (Cast "Do") & 1:30pm-3:30pm (Cast "Re") *there will be no rehearsal on Monday, May 25 due to Memorial Day
Dress Rehearsals & Performances will be at Christ Presbyterian Academy's Soli Deo Center
***If your student needs to be in a particular cast due to time conflicts, please note this in your registration, otherwise, you will be notified of your cast assignment on September 1***
Monday
11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Backlight Studios
Dance Team
Join the Backlight Productions competitive dance team as they train for their annual competition at Encore DCS in Chattanooga. Backlight Dancers focus on skills and technique that improve coordination and balance and are used in choreographed dances that are performed in the competition set. The Backlight Dance Team is suited for intermediate-experienced dancers and caters routines to meet every dancer where they are at.
*Students enrolling in Dance Team must communicate in their registration whether they would like to take part with their teammates in the Encore DCS dance competition in Chattanooga the weekend of April 17-19, 2026. Participating will require student's families to make the trip and arrange their own lodging for the weekend. Participating in the competition is not a requirement but must be stated up front so instructors can plan their choreography accordingly.
Join the Backlight Productions competitive dance team as they train for their annual competition at Encore DCS in Chattanooga. Backlight Dancers focus on skills and technique that improve coordination and balance and are used in choreographed dances that are performed in the competition set. The Backlight Dance Team is suited for intermediate-experienced dancers and caters routines to meet every dancer where they are at.
*Students enrolling in Dance Team must communicate in their registration whether they would like to take part with their teammates in the Encore DCS dance competition in Chattanooga the weekend of April 17-19, 2026. Participating will require student's families to make the trip and arrange their own lodging for the weekend. Participating in the competition is not a requirement but must be stated up front so instructors can plan their choreography accordingly.
Wednesday
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Backlight Studios
Backlight KIDS!
Backlight Kids gives kids with IDD the opportunity to be introduced to theater, music and dance in a safe and supportive environment where they can build community and grow and never age out! Backlight Kids will be participating this season as Forrest Creatures in our Advanced Theater production of "The Chronicles of Narnia" in the winter. Then we are excited to announce that, this season, our Kids will get to play named characters as members of the Von Trapp family in our Musical Theater spring production of "The Sound of Music"!
The Chronicles of Narnia performance week schedule:
Dress Rehearsal=February 13 (times TBD)
Performances=February 14 & 15 @ 2pm (call times 12pm)
*Performance participation dates may be split depending on the amount of student enrollment. Please reserve all dates in the meantime
*Dress Rehearsal & Performances at Williamson County Performing Arts Center
The Sound of Music performance week schedule:
Dress Rehearsals=May 28 & 29 (9am-5pm)
Performances=May 30 & 31 @ 2pm (call time 12pm)
*Performance participation dates may be split depending on the amount of student enrollment. Please reserve all dates in the meantime
*Dress Rehearsal & Performances at Christ Presbyterian Academy's Soli Deo Center
Backlight Kids gives kids with IDD the opportunity to be introduced to theater, music and dance in a safe and supportive environment where they can build community and grow and never age out! Backlight Kids will be participating this season as Forrest Creatures in our Advanced Theater production of "The Chronicles of Narnia" in the winter. Then we are excited to announce that, this season, our Kids will get to play named characters as members of the Von Trapp family in our Musical Theater spring production of "The Sound of Music"!
The Chronicles of Narnia performance week schedule:
Dress Rehearsal=February 13 (times TBD)
Performances=February 14 & 15 @ 2pm (call times 12pm)
*Performance participation dates may be split depending on the amount of student enrollment. Please reserve all dates in the meantime
*Dress Rehearsal & Performances at Williamson County Performing Arts Center
The Sound of Music performance week schedule:
Dress Rehearsals=May 28 & 29 (9am-5pm)
Performances=May 30 & 31 @ 2pm (call time 12pm)
*Performance participation dates may be split depending on the amount of student enrollment. Please reserve all dates in the meantime
*Dress Rehearsal & Performances at Christ Presbyterian Academy's Soli Deo Center
Thursday
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Backlight Studios
2025-2026 Season - SPRING TERM CLASSES
New Works Writer's Lab
Exercise your playwriting skills as this season our New Works Writer's Lab students each take on the challenge of writing a 10-minute play that utilizes some surprise key ingredients (could be anything from "a mysterious disappearance" to "a can of Diet Coke"). These plays will be performed by professional actors before a live audience as we get to see how each playwright comes up with their own unique way of including these essential items in a completely original work of their own!
Final class is on May 19
Performances will be on Saturday, July 25 at Christ Presbyterian Academy Soli Dec Center Blackbox Theater
Exercise your playwriting skills as this season our New Works Writer's Lab students each take on the challenge of writing a 10-minute play that utilizes some surprise key ingredients (could be anything from "a mysterious disappearance" to "a can of Diet Coke"). These plays will be performed by professional actors before a live audience as we get to see how each playwright comes up with their own unique way of including these essential items in a completely original work of their own!
Final class is on May 19
Performances will be on Saturday, July 25 at Christ Presbyterian Academy Soli Dec Center Blackbox Theater
Tuesday
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Backlight Studios
Music & Songwriting
Backlight Music & Songwriting provides a space for music-lovers with IDD to grow in knowledge of basic music theory & accompaniment as well as songwriting. Backlight instructors and local songwriters work with students to write original songs that are arranged by local professionals and recorded at the end of the class experience in a local professional recording studio.
Presenting our newest addition to the Backlight umbrella - BACKLIGHT PUBLISHING & BACKLIGHT RECORDS!!
From here on out, music written in Backlight classes and arranged by local professionals will be published through ASCAP through Backlight Publishing, enabling them to be purchased for use or covered by other artists. Backlight Records will enable us to share our in-studio recordings (and organization!) with the world!
ALL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN BACKLIGHT MUSIC & SONGWRITING WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A CONTRACT PERTAINING TO BACKLIGHT PUBLISHING & BACKLIGHT RECORDS REGARDING OUR POLICY ON CONTENT OWNERSHIP & ROYALTIES. We will be holding an informational webinar regarding this on Monday, January 5 at 8pm. There is a $100 class registration fee for this experience, however, students will not be charged until contracts are signed and students are committed to participating.
*This season's recording session & in-studio recital will be on Wednesday, May 13, at Inciite Recording Studios.
*There may be various special performance dates scheduled throughout the upcoming year (dates TBD) that are optional for band members to attend.
Backlight Music & Songwriting provides a space for music-lovers with IDD to grow in knowledge of basic music theory & accompaniment as well as songwriting. Backlight instructors and local songwriters work with students to write original songs that are arranged by local professionals and recorded at the end of the class experience in a local professional recording studio.
Presenting our newest addition to the Backlight umbrella - BACKLIGHT PUBLISHING & BACKLIGHT RECORDS!!
From here on out, music written in Backlight classes and arranged by local professionals will be published through ASCAP through Backlight Publishing, enabling them to be purchased for use or covered by other artists. Backlight Records will enable us to share our in-studio recordings (and organization!) with the world!
ALL STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN BACKLIGHT MUSIC & SONGWRITING WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIGN A CONTRACT PERTAINING TO BACKLIGHT PUBLISHING & BACKLIGHT RECORDS REGARDING OUR POLICY ON CONTENT OWNERSHIP & ROYALTIES. We will be holding an informational webinar regarding this on Monday, January 5 at 8pm. There is a $100 class registration fee for this experience, however, students will not be charged until contracts are signed and students are committed to participating.
*This season's recording session & in-studio recital will be on Wednesday, May 13, at Inciite Recording Studios.
*There may be various special performance dates scheduled throughout the upcoming year (dates TBD) that are optional for band members to attend.
Wednesday
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Backlight Studios
Creative Movement
Creative Movement classes are for students who require direct assistance. These classes focus on seated movement, singing & clearly expressing emotions. Creative Movement students must provide an aid to attend class with them and they will have the opportunity to participate in Backlight's big Spring Musical, "The Sound of Music", as they perform various roles and in various numbers!
The Sound of Music performance week schedule:
Dress Rehearsals=May 28 or May 29 (time TBD)
Performances=May 30 @ 2pm & May 31 @ 2pm
*Both dress rehearsals may not be required but please reserve all dates and times
*Dress Rehearsal & Performances at Christ Presbyterian Academy's Soli Deo Center
Creative Movement classes are for students who require direct assistance. These classes focus on seated movement, singing & clearly expressing emotions. Creative Movement students must provide an aid to attend class with them and they will have the opportunity to participate in Backlight's big Spring Musical, "The Sound of Music", as they perform various roles and in various numbers!
The Sound of Music performance week schedule:
Dress Rehearsals=May 28 or May 29 (time TBD)
Performances=May 30 @ 2pm & May 31 @ 2pm
*Both dress rehearsals may not be required but please reserve all dates and times
*Dress Rehearsal & Performances at Christ Presbyterian Academy's Soli Deo Center
Thursday
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Backlight Studios
Summer 2026
Make em' Laugh Kids Camp
Fill your summer with laughter as we dig deep into comedy and humor! Taught by professional improv comedians, this camp will introduce games and activities that strengthen your creative, quick thinking and improv skills, as we prepare comedy sketches similar to those you see in typical comedy clubs. This camp will also explore the physical elements of comedy through dance and slapstick movement as we incorporate music and dancing into our comedic routine! This camp will conclude with an in-studio mini-performance for friends and families!
Fill your summer with laughter as we dig deep into comedy and humor! Taught by professional improv comedians, this camp will introduce games and activities that strengthen your creative, quick thinking and improv skills, as we prepare comedy sketches similar to those you see in typical comedy clubs. This camp will also explore the physical elements of comedy through dance and slapstick movement as we incorporate music and dancing into our comedic routine! This camp will conclude with an in-studio mini-performance for friends and families!
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Backlight Studios
You're a Good Man Charlie Brown Kids Camp
Dive into the world of Charlie Brown as we explore the many beloved characters and personalities of the Peanuts gang! Enhance your acting skills as you learn about characterization and impersonation and reenact classic comic strip bits. And grow in your singing and dancing abilities as you learn songs and dances from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, the musical. This camp will conclude with an in-studio mini-performance for friends and families!
Dive into the world of Charlie Brown as we explore the many beloved characters and personalities of the Peanuts gang! Enhance your acting skills as you learn about characterization and impersonation and reenact classic comic strip bits. And grow in your singing and dancing abilities as you learn songs and dances from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, the musical. This camp will conclude with an in-studio mini-performance for friends and families!
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Backlight Studios