The Hideout Theatre is committed to growing The Building Connections program by offering programming to a wide range of youth and adults, including: neurodivergent students, at-risk youth, homeless youth and adults, youth and adults with trauma histories/attachment challenges, and youth and adults with mental health issues. Having adapted programming allows the Hideout to customize class settings and instruction to specific groups, which maximizes accessibility, fun, and therapeutic benefit for all involved. The Hideout Theatre celebrates neurodiversity, and solely uses “special needs” as a “catch-all” way to cue parents and caregivers to offerings outside of our traditional classes. We’re delighted you’re here with us!

Building Connections from The Hideout Theatre on Vimeo.

The Building Connections program at the Hideout Theatre is the best of its kind in the nation, maybe the world. It combines a high quality curriculum with skilled and dedicated instructors who collaborate with a level of professionalism that most schools and universities would envy.

– Jim Ansaldo, PhD (Center on Education and Lifelong Learning w/ Indiana Institute on Disability and Community @ IU)

Improv classes are an excellent forum for youth to gain confidence, build social skills, practice life skills, and have fun. For Building Connections students, improv provides a wonderful opportunity for personal growth in a safe environment. Parents have reported that their children have gained a wide variety of benefits from taking classes, including expressive language gains, increased confidence, improved social skills, a decrease in negative behaviors, and an increase in self-expression.

For more information, please see class descriptions and contact information below.

Classes for Autistic Youth and Young Adults (ASD Classes):

These classes will take place in a safe and fun setting where students can explore and challenge themselves. A very low teacher/student ratio will ensure that each student gets the attention they need. These classes will be tailored to youth and young adults on the autism spectrum, and will focus on having fun, improving social skills, increasing self-awareness, increasing self-expression, and gaining confidence. If you/your child is on the autism spectrum and would benefit from improv classes, please contact us so that we can assess whether this class would be a good fit for you/your child!

Improv Tailored to Youth on the Autism Spectrum ages ~8-11* Fee: $250

Saturdays from 1:00-2:00,

Jan 21 – April 29, Skipping March 11 and 18, showcase on April 22

Hideout Annex – 5555 N. Lamar Suite 103B (next to goodwill donation drop-off)

Instructor  Kevin Percival

Improv Tailored to Youth on the Autism Spectrum ages ~12-14* Fee: $250
Saturdays from 2:30-3:30,

Jan 21 – April 29, Skipping March 11 and 18, showcase on April 22

Hideout Annex – 5555 N. Lamar Suite 103B (next to goodwill donation drop-off)

Instructor Kevin Percival

                                         Improv Tailored to Youth on the Autism Spectrum ages ~15-18* Fee: $350
Saturdays from 1:00-2:30,

Jan 21 – April 29, Skipping March 11 and 18, showcase on April 22

Hideout Downtown – 617 N. Congress Ave.

Taught by Kristen Drenning

* If you’re not sure which class would be best for your child based on their age, please contact Youth Program Director Jessica Arjet or Director of  Building Connections Jo Chauvin.

*A limited number of scholarships are available. Please contact Jessica Arjet  for more information.

At-Risk Youth:
The Hideout Theatre provides improv classes to at-risk youth in residential and community settings. Weekly classes are currently taking place in a downtown family shelter, and a residential treatment center for foster youth.  Programming will continue to expand to include residential treatment facilities and youth shelters throughout Austin. If you are interested in the Hideout providing classes to your facility or group, please contact Jessica Arjet.

Workshops:
The Hideout Theatre is able to provide workshops to special needs youth and adults including those with mental health challenges, Autism Spectrum Disorders, intellectual disabilities, and at-risk youth. To inquire further about this or to get a quote, please contact Jessica Arjet.

Support the Special Needs Program:

The Building Connections Program at the Hideout Theatre is dedicated to continued growth, affordability, and being able to provide scholarships to students who would not otherwise be able to afford classes. We welcome all levels of financial support. Every dollar received will go towards expanding the Special Needs programming and helping kids take specialized improv classes they would not otherwise have access to.

To donate, please click the button below. You can specify your donation amount on the Paypal page.

Thank you for your contribution!

Director of Building Connections :

Jo Chauvin brings her 15 years of experience as an improvisor and 8 years as an improv teacher/coach to all her professional endeavors.  She is a project manager, leadership and development trainer, career coach, and now the Director of the Hideout’s Building Connections program.  Jo was the Hideout Theatre House Manager 2008 – 2011 and is thrilled to be back!  Please feel free to reach out to Jo or connect via LinkedIn.

Youth Programs Director:

Jessica Arjet has been teaching improv to children of all abilities and specialties since 2003. She started the ASD program with the help of Lacy Alana in order to serve a population that seemed drawn to improv, but had a hard time in the typical classes. In a former career she worked as a social worker with at risk youth and teens in the foster care system.  Currently she enjoys teaching, directing, producing, performing and watching improv of all kinds.  You can contact Jessica by email for more info!