Performing Arts Academy
Have fun, feel good & put on a show.
All About Theatre’s The Performing Arts Academy is where kids discover what they're capable of.
We use high-quality musical theatre as a vehicle to give young people a space to take risks, find their voice, and grow in ways that go far beyond the stage. Our students don't just learn to sing, dance, and act, they build confidence, develop communication skills, and form real relationships with their peers.
Every production we put on is professional-quality because we believe kids rise to the standard you set for them. And every student who walks through our doors is welcomed exactly as they are.
What We Offer
The Performing Arts Academy offers year-round programs for youth of all experience levels. Whether your child has never set foot on a stage or has been performing for years, there's a place for them here.
Programs include training in voice, movement, and acting, plus full-scale musical theater productions that bring families and the community together.
Santa Cruz kids & teens need safe spaces to explore who they are. The Performing Arts Academy provides exactly that - a creative community where young people feel supported, challenged, and genuinely seen.
The skills they build here include empathy, resilience, collaboration, self-expression. These capabilities help shape how they move through the world for the rest of their lives.
Why Theatre?
If your child has a busy academic schedule, enrolling them in performing arts may seem to come down the bottom of the priority list. But there are many reasons why performing arts should play a key role your child’s education, be it in school or as an extra curricular activity.
-
Studies such as this report from the Arts Education Partnership suggest school-children exposed to drama, music and dance are more proficient in reading, writing and math. In countries with the highest rankings in math and science, such as Japan, Hungary and the Netherlands, arts and music education form a mandatory part of the school curriculum. Children also learn to take instruction from adults and respect authority.
-
One of the most obvious benefits of performing arts is the development of skills in self-presentation. A child must learn how to present him or herself in front of an audience, be it big or small. They develop the ability to converse with adults in a mature manner. Participation in the arts allows them to grow their self-esteem and self-confidence, developing poise and learning to overcome anxieties.
Performing arts are also about social interaction and cooperation. Your child will no doubt make life-long friends with those who share the same passion as they do.
-
The arts allow for deep self-expression from a child’s heart. It can help them make sense of their emotions and develop new ideas to express themselves. For example, musical children may find their “happy place” when they are playing songs to themselves that reflect their emotions. Or maybe the dancer is better able to express their emotions through physical movement rather than vocally.
Performing arts are also great exercise – even opera! A singer must be physically fit and have a good lung capacity to reach and hold notes for a period of time. Some performing arts are based on cultural history, which may allow a child to connect with their ancestry or ethnic background.
-
Performing arts help teach children both self-reliance as well as collaboration with others in order to reach a goal. They learn that there are many different pathways to develop a skill. For example, a child learning a musical instrument may also participate in an orchestra to open them up to another style of music and performance to benefit their solo work.
Performing arts develop reasoning and creative thinking, as well as motivation, concentration and teamwork.
-
Performing arts help promote interpersonal skills. Some of the previously mentioned benefits can come through participation in sporting activities, but performing arts also promote and develop certain skills and characteristics such as empathy and compassion for others. The creativity involved in performing arts extends to emotional creativity and can open children to new ways of seeing the world. In group settings, there’s less of a focus on winning or losing, and more about working together as a team towards a shared performance goal, as well as the child's individual journey of development.
For example in musical theater, children may have to learn to work behind the scenes as well as on stage. By having to carry out a variety of tasks and roles, they are able to look at the world from different vantage points.
Whether it’s acting in a play or performing in a dance, encouraging your child in performing arts is a great way to create a well-rounded education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Buying Tickets
Tickets go on sale to the general public 6 to 8 weeks before the opening performance date. Tickets are made available to cast members and families before the general public (at least 48 hours). Tickets are also sold at the door an hour before each of the performances and may be purchased in person with a Visa, MasterCard, cash, or check.
For more information visit our Tickets page.
What are the benefits?
The primary goal of AAT is the development of life skills in children & adults through participation in the performing arts. Within each AAT cast, all performers are equal; the disabled become able; the shy explore bravery; the slow rehearse to perfection; and the gifted learn to support their peers. The lesson: we are all important to the show.
AAT provides a unique opportunity to learn the lessons of group dynamics while excelling as an individual – a lesson from art that carries into life. AAT strives to use participation in the performing arts as a vehicle to develop life skills including social skills, communication skills, self-discipline, a strong work ethic, an understanding of the team concept and self-esteem.
What’s the vibe?
We work hard to foster a supportive and professional atmosphere. You can read more about our expectations and culture on our Setting the Stage page.
How do I volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us. Volunteers help in many areas of theatre, ranging from the highly technical to the layperson. We can use help with lighting, sound, sewing costumes, building & painting sets, baking & selling concessions at performances, assembling programs, and more...
What are the age groups?
All of our shows are written to incorporate school age children 3 through 16 years of age, with an annual all-age or adult only production. Our classes and programs are broken down into the following age groups.
Rising Stars - Tots (ages 3-6 years)
Center Stage - Youth (ages 6-10 years)
Producers - Tweens (ages 10-13 years)
Headliners - Teens (ages 13-18 years)
Main Stage - Adults (ages 18 and up)
How many kids?
All About Theatre limits the number of participants per production group. During the summer, we limit our camp sizes for younger children to 16 maximum and for older children, 24 students. Should a camp be exceptionally popular we add more staff and split the camp into sub-groups. Our full-scale productions typically allow up to 36-40 registrants, unless stated differently on the individual production page.
Whatever the group size is, we work hard to make sure that there is adequate staffing to ensure each child gets support.
What if I cancel?
All About Theatre understand that life changes occur, however since we limit our sizes we request cancellation 3 days or more before the program starts in order to be considered for a refund. We would prefer at least 14 days so as to offer the space to the next person on the waitlist. Requests after that will be on a case by case basis.
How do auditions work?
Everyone who registers for a show is cast. The first few rehearsals are dedicated to guiding everyone on how to audition, warming up a bit, and getting to know each other. Then we have auditions which typically include some dance, singing, and acting. All of the staff attends the audition process. After all the cast has finished auditioning, the staff committee goes through an exhaustive review with a focus on personal growth. Once we’ve triple checked everything, we announce a carefully crafted cast list.
Got Scholarships?
Yes! Belonging and Community Impact are two of our core values. It’s important to us that anyone interested in participating has the opportunity to do so.
Contact us
Got questions, thoughts, or an interest in working together, drop us a line!