a children's musical theatre company
141-B Sams Street, Decatur, GA, 30030
2025/26 Foundations After School Program
Decatur Community Players Foundations After School offers structured theatre-based activities combined with creative free play, as well as homework time and snack breaks for 2nd through 5th graders.
Transportation options: We offer walking pick up from Talley Street Upper Elementary School (Talley), van pick up from Fifth Ave Upper Elementary School (FAVE), or parents can arrange car drop off coming from anywhere else.
Monday
Karaoke, Choreography and Ensemble work
Choose
1-5 days per week!
Tuesday
Improv and Acting
Wednesday
Theatre Tech Arts: Set design, Scenery and Stage props.
Thursday
Puppets, Props and Costumes
Friday
Showcase Musical: Be part of a musical production!
Foundations Saturday Classes
Saturday Foundations class is for the younger student of any experience level, grades K-5. Students learn all aspects of musical theatre in a fun and inclusive environment, from stage directions to choreography and vocal ease, with an emphasis on teamwork. There is a full production for parents towards the end of the semester.
Two Classes- 8:15am and 10:30am
Tween Conservatory
The Tween Conservatory is an intermediate class for students, grades 5-7, who are ready to have more of a challenge, but want to be with kids closer to their own age. In Tweens, we work towards storytelling, choreography, acting, teamwork, and stage management. There is a full production for parents towards the end of the semester.
Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm
Apprentice Conservatory
The Apprentice Conservatory is a place where grades 6-9 learn to express their creativity while experiencing the joy and confidence-building of starting from ground zero with only a script and working as a team through every step of the process with lots of peer leadership. Students are encouraged and have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of production from backstage to on stage, with a full-scale production at the end of the semester.
Wednesday and Thursday 5:30-7:30pm
Advanced Conservatory
The Advanced Conservatory for grades 8-12 places higher expectations on the actors, to create a Broadway level show using all the tools they have learned. Students are required to wear rehearsal blacks, work outside of class on memorization and choreography, show up to rehearsal on time and ready to work, and tell the story. The Advanced Conservatory performs off-site at 7 Stages Theatre in Little 5 Points. They will have little time at the performance space, so will learn more about spacing and understanding of how to translate from the rehearsal space to the professional stage.
Saturdays 1:00-4:00pm
Who We Are
Decatur Community Players is a children’s musical theatre company founded in 2009, providing year-round performing arts instruction for children ages 5 to 18. We offer an award-winning musical theatre performance program, after-school care, Saturday classes, travel team, and summer camps. Every January, we participate in the Junior Theater Festival.
Our mission is to include every child who wishes to be involved in a performing arts program, regardless of their level of experience. We strive to inspire imagination and cultivate creativity both on stage and off, while helping children develop communication skills, self-esteem, and teamwork. We believe the children should be involved with every aspect of production, and we encourage their input whenever possible.
Our Staff
Shell Ramirez Founder/Owner/Director
Shell is the whimsical Fairy Queen of DCP. She flits and floats around, bringing magic to everyday situations. She loves to take a blank stage and create. Each play is a step into the mind of Shell. And it’s always a fun story told.
Melissa Gouinlock Costume Maeven/Registrar
Melissa is the Elf Queen of DCP. She establishes a foundation for growth while making us look pretty. Her passion for fabric and ribbons places each character into the story. Each costume is designed with love and joy.
Kaylee
Kaylee the Princess. She will sit with you anytime. She is our beautiful theatre dog.
Jeff Sutton Technical Director
Jeff is the Lord of Light at DCP. He designs lighting, creates sets and keeps things neat. He is the builder of our worlds at DCP while also lighting them up.
Freya Gouinlock
Freya the Lady of Direction. Directing Foundations, Travel Team, and Advanced. She was born into this awesomeness.
Bobbi Twiggs
Bobbi the Lady of After-school. Bobbi is a welcome addition to our after-school and will be directing. Excited to watch them shine.
Sydney Fessenden Marketing Coordinator
Sydney is Lady of Fixing All The Things. Sydney is with us briefly while looking for the marketing world to wake up and see her awesomeness. She fixed this website and is leaving a beautiful mark at DCP.
Sofia Waters
Sophia the Lady of Patience. Sophia is at after-school three days a week and brings balance. She is amazing with solving all the problems.
Michael Short
Michael the Lord of Dance. Directing Apprentice, and Choreographer to the Advanced/Travel groups. He is joyful, energetic, and ready to move.