2025 Winter & Spring Programming/Classes
Sundays
Class: Theater and Improv for Social Skills
Time: 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: DSAMn Conference Room 668 Transfer Rd. St Paul
Class Description: This class is for people with Down syndrome 9th grade and up. In this class we will use theater and Improv games to improve our social skills and way of being in the world. We will explore themes like accepting people’s differences, building resilience, and explore open-mindedness in a way that is accessible and hopefully fun! Students in this class will play theater & improv games that build performance skills while also learning how to further their relationships with their peers. This is a great opportunity for students who want to dip their toe into performing arts or just want to build confidence. This class is also a great stepping stone to our advanced acting class on Saturday mornings. Please join us!
Cost = $100.00 per session (8 weeks)
Sundays 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Session 1 Dates: January 12th - March 2nd
Session 2 Dates: March 16th - May 18th (no class March 23rd & April 20th)
Register here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/TheaterImprovSocialSkills25
Class: Career Skills 1, Unified
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Location: Brookview Community Center 316 Brookview Pkwy S, Golden Valley
We are offering Career Skills 1 for the second time with MDI starting in January and will offer Career Skills 2 starting in mid-March. Students who have taken Career Skills 1 are invited to take the class again if they would like a refresher. This is a great class to take more than once! Please email lizz@dsamn.org with any questions about which class is appropriate for participants.
Class Description: This unified class is for people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities 9th grade through adult who have identified their goal is to work in the community. This class is also open to community members currently working with, or interested in working with this population. (Perfect for current or aspiring job coaches and teen/adult siblings interested in exploring careers in special education or social service.) This class is offered in partnership with MDI. Their Unified Work Academy classes help people unlock employment opportunities by focusing on building the personal and professional skills needed to land and keep a job in the community. These classes are modified for DSAMn to best fit the needs/learning profile of adults with Down syndrome. Students will cover topics like personal mission statements, professional greetings, first impressions and appearance, punctuality and attendance, teamwork and more. Please plan on bringing a support person for this class if you are needing one on one assistance. We are also looking for a volunteer for this class to assist.
Cost = $50.00* per session (8 weeks).
Sundays 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Session 1 Dates: January 19th - March 9th
Register here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/careerskills2025
*This fee covers materials and location rental. MDI has generously donated instructor time and curriculum.
Tuesdays
Class: Cooking Class
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Location: Richfield High School Culinary Arts Lab/Commercial Kitchen 7001 Harriet Ave, Richfield
Class Description: For people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities 9th grade through adult. Join friends each week to prepare and eat a snack or meal. No prior kitchen experience is required! Class includes take home recipes to recreate in your own kitchen. Cost includes food/materials.
Cost = $75.00 per session (8 weeks)
Tuesdays 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Session 1 Dates: February 4th - March 25th
Register here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/cookingclass2025
Thursdays
Class: Improv and Physical Comedy
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Online
Class Description: In this high energy class, students will learn theatrical techniques in comedy and physical theater. Using theatrical techniques including mime, clowning exercises, and Improv games, students will explore the parts of them that are uniquely hilarious. This class is for students with Down syndrome, there is no experience or specific ability required.
Cost = $50 per session (8 weeks)
Thursdays 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Session 1 Dates: January 16th - March 6th
Session 2 Dates: March 13 - May 1
Register here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/comedyonline2025
Saturdays
Class: Advanced Acting
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: Alternating between The Hive Collaborative 677 Hamline Ave N, St. Paul & DSAMn Conference Room 668 Transfer Rd. St Paul
Pre-requisite: must have taken a previous DSAMn theater class or have significant previous performing experience.
Class Description: DSAMn’s Saturday morning acting troupe is a dedicated group of performers with Down syndrome, many of whom have been working together since 2021. Past performances have included original plays written by the students as well as adaptations of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This class is led by theater practitioners and performers Lizz Windnagel and Shelby Richardson. This class emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Space in this class is very limited to new participants. We require students have either taken our Sunday theater class for several sessions or have extensive performing experience. Please email lizz@dsamn.org if you are interested in taking this class for the first time.
DSAMn’s advanced acting troupe will be rehearsing for a performance of student playwright’s production, Trouble in Paradise, which will be performed at the Hive Collaborative in St. Paul on May 24th at 2 pm, with a dress rehearsal on a weeknight evening leading up to the performance.
Students must be available on May 24th, as well as for dress rehearsal, and rehearsal on Saturday morning May 17th. We also ask that students only sign up if they can make most of the rehearsals.
Cost = $125.00* per session
Saturdays 10:00am - 12:00pm
Session 1: January 11th - March 1st
Session 2: March 15th - May 17th (No class April 5th & May 3rd)
Dress Rehearsal: May 21st 5:00pm-7:00pm at The Hive Collaborative
Performance: May 24th at The Hive Collaborative
Register here: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/advancedacting25
Virtual Drop In Weekly Programming
Feel free to join when you can during these ongoing virtual drop in programming.
Musical Theater Club - Mondays at 4:00pm
Creative Writing Club - Mondays at 5:00pm
Adult Social Hour - Wednesdays at 4:00pm
Shakespeare for teens & adults - Wednesdays at 5:00pm
In this drop-in club, students who are fans of Shakespeare or curious about the topic will learn more about one of the greatest writers of all time! We will watch excerpts from films and practice speaking and interpreting Shakespearean text. Content warning: possible mature themes that are present in Shakespeare. We will work to modify these when possible to keep the content accessible!
Register Early & invite friends!
DSAMn classes need a minimum enrollment to run. We may need to cancel low-enrollment classes. If you register for a class that is cancelled you will notified and fully refunded within 5 business days of cancellation.
All classes are for people with Down syndrome in 9th grade through adult unless otherwise noted.
Additional programming may be added as available.
Program Scholarships and Financial Support
Cost should not be a barrier to participation in any DSAMn program. All our programs are offered on a sliding fee scale based on Federal Poverty Level Guidelines. Families living at or below 200% if FPL are eligible for the sliding scale.
If fees are an issue for any family even if you do not meet the guidelines above, please email dsamn@dsamn.org - we can help.
Health Policy
At this time masking is optional at all of DSAMn's programs and events. We ask that if you are sick with any symptoms to please stay home or attend virtually if available. If you have recently recovered from an illness please wear a mask to protect others in our vulnerable population. Masking requirements subject to change based on local requirements.
