Local students can look forward to magic carpet rides, “artful dodging,” 1950s Baltimore and Kipling’s world this summer through the Performing Arts Academy at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch.
Director James Ramsey, who expects over 500 students through the summer, says the academy is looking for more spaces for outreach.
There will be a two- week intensive program at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch for a production of “Oliver!” and at East Elementary School in Littleton for “Jungle Book.”
For all the intensive programs, PAA faculty will teach choreography, blocking and music rehearsals in addition to classes in voice, acting improvisation, dance technique and music theory.
“Aladdin” (grades 2-6) and “Hairspray”(grades 7-12) will be rehearsed and performed at St. Luke’s. They are both full, with more than 100 students participating.
Students come from throughout the south suburbs and from Denver. They may start their stage experience as a plant or animal, enjoy learning to sing and dance and eventually become a prince or other sort of human as they learn through imagination and build skills.
“We simply focus on the needs of students and nourishment of their skills and confidence while building character and community through the performing arts,” Ramsey said.
The PAA has more than 40 educators and professional faculty and staff.
Available programs will include:
Band camp (July); orchestra camp (July); School of Rock Camp (July); keyboard classes (June and July); musical theater intensives of “Jungle Book” and “Oliver!” (June and July); acting workshop of one-act plays (July); and summer camps for children ages 3-6 that explore theater through books, songs and crafts. (June and July).
Visit stlukespaa.org for information and registration.
Registration will soon be open for a fall production of Dream Works’ “Shrek: The Musical.”
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is located at 8817 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch. Ramsey can be reached at 303-791-0659, ext. 23.