Our Philosophy

Here at NCSMT we value artistic agency.

Centered around individual growth, we tailor the experience to fit each artists unique goals.

Art is for all; through performance and education, we create our community.

Meet Our Team!

Mary Eliza Hendricks

Founder

For over six years, Mary Eliza Hendricks (she/her) has been an active theatre professional; she holds a B.A. in Theatre from Emory & Henry University.

Originally hailing from Tennessee, Mary Eliza worked with prominent theatre institutions such as the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and the Atlanta Shakespeare Company. More recently in the Chicago and Chicagoland area she has worked with Lifeline Theatre, Rootz theatre and dance company, and The Stage School. With a rich background of experiences and skills such as directing, acting, choreography/dance, devised theatre, educational programming, curriculum creation, and improv, Mary Eliza aims to cultivate a safe and creative environment for students to explore and grow into their own artistry.

Selected directing and choreography credits include: Fiddler on the Roof, Footloose, Mamma Mia, Music Man Jr., Newsies, Love Letters and Tin Cat Shoes with the Mountain Arts Theatre, Dragons Love Tacos and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs with The Chattanooga Theatre Centre

Acting and Dance Teacher

Lucas Gassmann

Founder

Lucas (he/they) earned a B.A. in Music from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Lucas is originally from Houston, Texas, in which he was born and raised.

Since 2021, Lucas has been an active freelance artist and in demand educator. His students have gone on to compete in national level competitions and have secured admission into some of the countries top music universities and conservatories. As a performer, Lucas has appeared in productions with regional opera houses such as Opera in The Heights and Lone Star Lyric Theatre, has regionally premiered the Stephen Schwartz production "Seance on a Wet Afternoon", recorded songs with alternative rock band Lucid Illusions, and given recitals and masterclasses around Houston, Tx.

Lucas values diversity in all aspects of life but most importantly as a performer and educator. As a singer, he specializes in opera, musical theatre, and jazz. In addition to singing, Lucas is a trumpet player - specializing in jazz and contemporary music, and an actor. With a variety of skills and experiences, Lucas has the ability to provide his students a broader perspective on art as a whole. His students benefit from an education that is tailored and unique to their needs and goals. Lucas prides himself on his ability to push students to grow while also keeping the process fun and exciting.

Music and Acting Teacher

Policies

    • Tuition at North Chicago School of Musical Theatre is a flat subscription-based fee charged on the first day of each month.

    • Your subscription holds your time slot in the schedule with your teacher throughout the year. NCSMT is a year-round educational program meaning that your subscription continues unless withdrawal is requested.

    • NCSMT is closed on the majority of national holidays and school breaks. The price of these breaks is already included in your flat subscription rate.

    • Private Lessons: $70hr & $40 ½hr

    • Group Classes: $40 a class

    • Recital Fee: There’s a $10 signup fee per student for each recital. Admission for family and friends is always free — we love having a big, supportive audience for our students, so invite as many guests as you’d like!

    • Late fee: $20 will be applied to any outstanding invoices that are 10 days overdue.

    • Payment for tuition & fees is due on the 1st of every month. If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due the previous business day.

    • Each months tuition is adjusted for the number of classes that month.

    • Tuition is payable via electronic methods such as, Venmo, PayPal, and Apple pay. We also accept check or cash if absolutely necessary.

  • Enrollment

    • Complete our interest form below (the “Get Started” button,) and we will contact you shortly after to complete enrollment.

      • Private lessons: Enrollment is accepted year-round at any point.

      • Group classes: Enrollment will be accepted through the first month of classes. After that point, you will have to wait until the following semester to begin.

    • Upon enrollment, the tuition will be prorated based upon the number of lessons/classes left that month.

    Termination

    • As a studio, we strive to provide flexibility for our students and their families. To withdraw from classes, please call or email our office to request a Withdrawal Form.

    • To avoid being charged for the month’s remaining tuition, the Withdrawal Form must be submitted by the 15th of the current month. Once the form is completed and submitted, we will end your subscription at the end of the current month. If the Withdrawal Form is submitted after the 15th, you will recieve no refund. Students may choose to attend or forgo any remaining lessons in the current month.

    • NCSMT acknowledges special circumstances including: injuries and other extenuating situations and will work with the client to find the best solution.

    • Instructors reserve the right to terminate a students enrollment at any point due to various reasons, not limited to: Behavior, excessive absences, and poor fit with studio culture

      • Prior to termination, contact will be made about the issue

    • Students are expected to arrive punctually with all necessary materials to their weekly scheduled lesson.

    • Students who arrive at their lesson late will not be guaranteed the full length of their normal lesson.

    • If a student is running late or is unable to make it to their scheduled lesson, please make the front desk aware by call, text, or email, and they will be sure to let your instructor know.

  • Student Caused

    • If a student cancels their lessons (text, call, email) at least 24 hours in advance they will be provided a Make-Up Lesson Credit on their account. This Make-Up Lesson will expire 60 days from the day it is activated. NCSMT does not refund for unused/expired Make-Up Credits.

    • No refunds or monetary credits will be provided for client caused absences.

    • Cancellations made with less than 24-hour notice will not qualify for a Make-up Lesson.

    • Upon Withdrawal any Make-up Lesson Credits will expire 60 days after membership ends. 

    • A Make-Up Lesson that is canceled will not qualify for an additional Make-Up Lesson Credit.

    • Group classes are not eligible for make-up credits.

    Teacher Caused

    • If the instructor needs to cancel due to a professional agreement, illness, etc. - advanced notice will be given and a makeup will be scheduled or a substitute teacher will be arranged. A Teacher Caused Make-Up Lesson Credit will not have an expiration date and can be used at your convenience. In the event of a substitute, teachers will strive to give parents and students as much advance notice as possible.

    • The safety of our students, families, and staff is our highest priority. In the event of inclement weather—including but not limited to snow, ice, high winds, or other conditions that may create unsafe travel—the studio reserves the right to move all scheduled classes to an online format for the day.

    • If a weather-related transition to online classes is made, families will be notified by text and/or email.

    • When the studio determines that lessons will be held online due to weather, no refunds, tuition credits, or monetary adjustments will be provided. Online lessons conducted on these days are considered full instructional services and will be treated the same as in-studio classes.

    • Client assumes all risk of injury of harm to the child(ren) or adult(s) associated with participation in artistic activities at NCSMT and agree to release, indemnify, defend and forever discharge NCSMT and its owners from all liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, and expenses in the unlikely event of injury sustained by your child(ren) or adult student during the course or as a result of their participation in NCSMT’s artistic activities, recitals, classes, or lessons.

    • NCSMT is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students.

    Photo/Video Release

    • Unless requested in writing, NCSMT is granted permission to take photographs/videos of the students to use in brochures, websites, posters, advertisements, newsletters, social media and other promotional materials NCSMT creates. Permission is also hereby granted for NCSMT to copyright such photographs in its name.

    • Children under the age of 12 must wait for their parents to pick them up inside the studio. Please do not ask them to meet you elsewhere. NCSMT assumes no responsibility for children who leave unaccompanied.  

    • A Multiple Student Discount of $10/month will be applied to the tuition of families that have two or more students on their account.

    • We provide in-house payment plans and a scholarship program for those in need of financial assistance! Contact us for more info.

    Referral Program

    • NCSMT will apply a $30 referral credit to any person/family that refers another person/family to take lessons/classes. Please email or call us with your name and the referred families name to redeem this credit.

Get Started