What is The Atlanta School of the Performing Arts (or ASPA)?
ASPA is a unique nine-month curriculum that takes your child through the technique of performing Broadway and contemporary plays, as well as television. It is a school where passion for the performing arts is nurtured. This unique program is not found anywhere else. True, your child can take private voice, acting, and dance separately-- but this program trains each performer in all of these art forms. At ASPA we celebrate the entire cast -- the “ensemble”. We do not focus on one child to make them great, but instead we teach that together as an ensemble they can be great and that all aspects of theatre are valued as starring roles.
Theatre is a team sport, but unlike the sports world where only the fastest reach the finish line first, at ASPA every child reaches their finish line first, achieves their goals, and they are encouraged to reach the stars. Because of this philosophy, children are taught humility and learn to care for each other, becoming a theatre community that values each member. These skills are essential for children, are not developed in any other place. Not only does ASPA provide this, it also goes one step further: our professional staff and our guest coaches provide love and encouragement while instilling in each child poise, audition skills, confidence, stage presence, attentiveness, and appreciation for the arts. At their feet, our students have an acting coach, a voice coach, a performance coach, and a dance coach. Together, they work with each child to give them the tools they need to succeed in school, local, and professional venues. It is not my mission to encourage “the business”, since most aspects of “the business” are inappropriate for young children. We bring the adult stars into the child’s world rather than immersing them into an adult environment.
Our fun, customized program is one of a kind, and is the greatest way for a young performer to blossom and feel prepared not only for performance on stage, but for the performance of life itself.
What is on the 2008-09 Class Calendar?
All students meet on Mondays or Tuesdays from 4:00 – 6:00pm.
*The Cabaret-Style Solo Performance will be in the winter
*Four Workshops with recognized stars in their field
*We are proud to announce the spring ensemble show for ASPA is…….
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!!
*Optional trip to New York City
During this year’s trip, the students will perform on
the stage at Carnegie Hall in Weill Hall, and participate in a workshop with one of Broadway's greatest stars.
(Travel, room, board, and show tickets are not included in tuition)
Who belongs in ASPA?
This program is designed for the child who is passionate about the performing arts . . . the child who wants to sing, dance, and act more than all other activities. The program requires a commitment of one afternoon a week.
How do I sign up?
ASPA enrollment is by invitation or audition only. The 2007-2008 Class: Acting & Singing Focus has 30 spaces on Mondays and 45 spaces on Tuesdays. The first 75 students to sign up are guaranteed space and the remainder will be put on a waiting list to be called if cancellations occur.
What is the cost?
The annual tuition is $4,250. This includes nine months of coaching, afull ensemble musical production,a Cabaret-Style Performance, four workshops with Stars in their various fields of expertise, microphone MC training, an Atlanta School of the Performing Arts binder, an Atlanta School of the Performing Arts t-shirt, and priceless performance skills and self-confidence building.
A note from our founder:
This nine-month program is unique and gives each child private and semi-private coaching by Atlanta’s top professional singers, dancers, actors, and directors. Your child will also work with accomplished award-winning Broadway, TV, Opera, and recording artists in workshops designed to expand your child’s knowledge of performance genres.
It is my firm belief that children need two types of training to succeed in all areas of their life: Ensemble Performance training and Solo Cabaret Performance training. The 2007-2008 curriculum will groom each student in both of these techniques and allow them to perform in each style on stage in a show.
Ensemble Performance
Being cast in an ensemble Broadway show teaches the young actor teamwork, humility, and the importance of each role. In life, we are all entrusted with large and small tasks that are equally important. This philosophy teaches each star to shine bright regardless of the size of their role. We affirm the saying, “There are no small parts, only small actors.” However, our ensemble shows are designed to give a fair amount of time in the spotlight to each performer.
Cabaret Style Solo Performance
Cabaret training is vital in audition growth as well as public speaking. The ability to stand center stage, look the audience straight in the eye, and speak or sing clearly in to a microphone are essential skills, and are not consistently taught to children anywhere else.
My two children have taken all types of classes in voice, music, dance, and acting, and their private lessons have cost me anywhere from $35-$75 an hour. Private training in my home or in their coach’s home was valuable but lacked the fun and excitement of being part of a cast and theatre community.
Introducing my children to theatre projects in the community or at school demanded minimum six-week commitments, with rehearsals every day of the week often until very late hours. This involvement physically and emotionally exhausted my family. My children’s dreams of being in theatre not only cost me thousands of dollars, but also thousands of hours. It cost them their ability to prioritize their life (family, rest, school, and just being a kid.)
The Atlanta School of the Performing Arts strikes the perfect balance for the child born to be on stage. The cost for two shows (an Ensemble Show and a Cabaret Style Solo Performance), four workshops with stars in their field, and four of Atlanta’s best and brightest professional performance coaches at the children’s feet nurturing and inspiring them to greatness is only $50 an hour.
The annual tuition is $4,250. This includes:
*Nine months of coaching in acting, singing, and dancing with four of Atlanta’s top professional
performance coaches
*A full ensemble musical production with lights, sound, costumes, and scenery, with
your child shining in the spotlight
*A Cabaret-Style Solo Performance on a stage with lights and sound
*Four workshops with Stars in their various fields of expertise
*Microphone MC training (lavaliere and handheld)
*An Atlanta School of the Performing Arts binder including: CDs (vocal and karaoke), lyrics, scripts,
and worksheets
*An Atlanta School of the Performing Arts t-shirt
*Priceless Performance skills and Self-Confidence building
Jennifer Salberg
Founder/ Director
The Atlanta School of the Performing Arts
www.applauseforkids.com, (404) 459-0409, b.a.star@applauseforkids.com
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