Lamb Arts School of Theatre & Music

- 417 Market St, Sioux City, IA 51103

For over four decades, the Lamb Arts School of Theatre & Music has been a cornerstone of cultural life and creative education in Sioux City and the wider Siouxland region of Iowa. Operating under the umbrella of LAMB Arts LTD, a dedicated 501(c)3 non-profit organization, this institution embodies a dual mission: showcasing outstanding theatrical productions for the community and providing innovative arts curriculum that genuinely enriches the lives of citizens of all ages. It is far more than just a typical school; it is a center for artistic excellence, community collaboration, and personal growth for Iowa residents.

The founders' vision was to create a venue and a school that provides first-class experiences where dedication, excellence, and professionalism are the norm, affirming the belief that quality arts opportunities should be accessible to everyone—a particularly important commitment in a regional hub like Sioux City. This commitment is fulfilled by a team of highly qualified staff and passionate artists who nurture young talent through diverse, thoughtfully designed programs in theatre, music, and dance.

The educational programs at Lamb Arts are structured to ignite imagination and foster growth, teaching students not only technical artistic proficiency but also vital life skills such as communication, confidence, and stress relief through creative expression. From elementary students exploring the basics of creative dramatics to high schoolers immersed in the Academy of Theatrical Arts (ATA), the school’s curriculum provides a secure, dynamic environment where proficiency and vulnerability are encouraged. It is a place where young Iowans learn transferable skills that will serve them well on any career path, whether on stage or in the boardroom.

Beyond its classrooms, Lamb Arts demonstrates its deep commitment to the community through extensive outreach and collaboration. As a non-profit, the organization is actively involved in civic life, utilizing its unique artistic platform to partner with numerous other local non-profits and underserved groups. This dedication ensures that the transformative power of theatre, music, and dance is shared broadly across the Siouxland area, reinforcing the school’s role as a true public resource in Iowa.

The reputation of Lamb Arts is built upon decades of quality work and community engagement, serving patrons and students from a vast area that includes Northwest Iowa, Western Nebraska, and Western South Dakota. With thousands of students served annually through workshops, performances, and classes, Lamb Arts remains a vital beacon of creativity, continually evolving to meet the artistic needs of the region’s diverse population.

While the school’s history is rooted in its beloved former home, the organization maintains a physical presence and an enduring commitment to accessibility. The historic address, long synonymous with the organization’s dedication, is 417 Market St, Sioux City, IA 51103, USA.

The Lamb Arts School has always prioritized making its educational and performance opportunities available to the widest possible audience. In keeping with this ethos, the facility is designed with convenience in mind, particularly for families and individuals with mobility concerns. Key accessibility features include:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot

This attention to ease of access ensures that all students and patrons from across the Iowa region, regardless of physical ability, can participate in the joy of the arts. Furthermore, the organization actively collaborates with Morningside University for performance and classroom space as it continues to develop plans for a new, permanent, and totally accessible home in downtown Sioux City, further cementing its long-term commitment to the city’s renaissance.

As a combined music school, dance school, and theatre school, Lamb Arts offers a robust curriculum that caters to various age groups and skill levels, providing high-caliber instruction that goes beyond recreational participation.

• Theatre and Acting Classes: Programs range from Creative Dramatics for elementary students (focusing on voice, body, and communication) to advanced Acting for Middle School and the elite Academy of Theatrical Arts (ATA) for high school students, covering stage combat, improvisation, and dialect work.
• Musical Theatre Troupe: A core offering that expertly merges the three major disciplines—song, spoken dialogue, acting, and expressive dance—to prepare students for dynamic, integrated performances.
• Class Voice and Music Instruction: Dedicated classes focusing on approaching the voice as an instrument, teaching students about musical symbols, and developing healthy, strong vocal technique.
• Playwriting Workshops: Introductory four-week workshops designed for both elementary and secondary students, offering the unique opportunity to hear their original words spoken and interpreted by experienced actors.
• EWE-niversity Summer Program: A comprehensive, intensive class experience that combines creative dramatics, voice, dance, art, movement, and stage production, culminating in performance opportunities.
• Scholarship Program: Through its non-profit status, the school annually provides scholarships to kindergarten through high school students who would be unable to attend classes due to financial situations, ensuring the arts are truly accessible.
• Non-Profit Collaboration ("Projects of Hope"): A unique service where LAMB offers one of its shows to other local non-profits for use as a thank-you to donors or as a fundraiser, collaborating with organizations like the Food Bank, Siouxland Mental Health, and various schools.

The school’s distinction in the Iowa arts landscape is cemented by several key features that highlight its long-standing quality and commitment to the Siouxland region.

• Decades of Professional Excellence: Making theatre since 1979 and running its school since 1999, Lamb Arts provides students and patrons with a proven track record of quality, professional, non-equity theatre productions alongside its educational offerings.
• Integrated Skill Development: Classes are uniquely designed to foster confidence, communication, body awareness, and stress relief, moving far beyond simple memorization to build foundational life skills. Alumni often highlight that they “learned to communicate with people more effectively” and became “more confident in my body.”
• A Welcoming Educational Home: The environment is universally regarded as a positive, dynamic, and fun place where students are nurtured. The facility is explicitly noted as being Good for kids, with staff dedicated to creating a secure space where creativity thrives.
• Commitment to Financial Accessibility: The existence of a dedicated Scholarship Program for economically disadvantaged students ensures that the organization lives up to its mission of making the arts accessible to everyone in the community.
• Year-Round Enrollment Flexibility: Recognizing that the urge to create can strike at any time, the school welcomes new students throughout the school year, even allowing enrollment until April 1st with pro-rated tuition, making it easy for Iowa families to join at their convenience.

To inquire about enrolling a student, current class schedules, or supporting the non-profit's mission, please use the following contact details:

Address: 417 Market St, Sioux City, IA 51103, USA

Phone: (712) 255-9536

Mobile Phone: +1 712-255-9536

For Iowa families seeking high-quality arts instruction in the Siouxland region, choosing the Lamb Arts School of Theatre & Music means investing in a legacy of excellence and community service. Unlike for-profit ventures, Lamb Arts is a Non-profit organization with a foundational mission focused solely on enriching lives, not just generating revenue. This distinction is evident in its commitment to affordable and professional-level training across theatre, music, and dance.

The unique advantage lies in the school’s direct link to the professional LAMB Arts Regional Theatre. Students do not just learn techniques in a vacuum; they are connected to a long-running production company, providing them with unparalleled exposure to the real-world application of their craft. This environment cultivates artists who are technically skilled, confident, and understand the dedication required for artistic excellence. Furthermore, their extensive outreach efforts mean that enrollment supports an organization that gives back directly to the community through scholarships and collaborations with other vital Iowa non-profits.

In short, enrolling a child or yourself at Lamb Arts is a choice for a holistic, confidence-building education within an organization that is a proven, enduring artistic pillar of Sioux City and a critical contributor to the cultural vitality of the entire tri-state region. It is a true local resource, providing a nurturing educational environment where students repeatedly say they wish every day could be a "LAMB Day."

Lamb Arts School of Theatre & Music

417 Market St, Sioux City, IA 51103, USA