Joseph Amato
Emily Miller-Amato
Directors of Developing Artists Studio
[email protected]

Welcome to the Developing Artists Studio

Rising Stars: Kindergarten - Grade 3
Young Actors:  Grades 4-8
Encore Players:  High School

Spotlight Arts Collective Developing Artist program provides aspiring actors and actresses interactive educational and live theatre experiences through a wide array of performing and fine arts events. Our mission is to ignite passion in developing actors by providing safe, secure, and highly professional theater experiences that increase creativity, build self esteem, enhance collaborative skills, and nourish imagination on and off the stage. The creative endeavors of Spotlight continue to raise money for charities, scholarships, and other philanthropic pursuits in the community.

Programs and Registration
Snapped this pic while shooting a production at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC.

Winter Acting Workshops - 2025

For students in grades 1st - 8th

Weekly workshops with trained educators will help students hone their dramatic skills with sessions focused on: improvisation (1/21), stage movement (1/28), character building (2/4), and acting through song (2/11).

Tuesdays (1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11) from 6:00 - 8:00 at the Joseph P. Spencer Studio for the Arts 120 Jessie St, Manhattan, IL

$5/session or $20 for all four (paid at the time of the workshop)

to Sign-up, email:
[email protected]

Snapped this pic while shooting a production at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC.

Rodger's and Hammerstein's "Cinderella: Youth Edition"

Our Summer Camps are live!

"Cinderella: Youth Edition" for students entering 4th. - 8th

Workshops in May (14, 21, 28)
Camp rehearsals and performances in June (9th - 28th).

Click the picture at the left for more information and to register

Snapped this pic while shooting a production at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC.

"Joust! A Mighty Medieval Musical" by John Jacobson and Roger Emerson

Our Summer Camps are live!

"Joust! A Mighty Medieval Musical" for students entering K- 3rd

Workshop on June 2nd
Camp rehearsals and performances in June (9th - 28th).

Click the picture at the left for more information and to register

Sign Up for Emails about our Workshops and Events

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Congratulations to our past
Developing Artists Studio Casts

Frozen Jr

Summer 2024

4th - 8th 

Disney: The Movies, The Music

Summer 2024

K - 3rd

The Spongebob Musical Jr

Summer 2023 

4th - 8th 

Go Fish!

Summer 2023

K - 3rd 

Moana Jr

Summer 2022

4th - 8th 

Arf!

Summer 2022

K - 3rd

Annie

Summer 2021

4th - 9th

Willy Wonka Jr

Summer 2018

4th - 9th 

Beauty and the Beast Jr

Summer 2017

ages 8 -16