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Spring Fundraiser  |   March 27 - April 30, 2021

PAA spring fundraiser

We need your help to build PAA's future.

This year, our spring fundraiser, Build The Stage, is focused on expanding programming in hopes of regaining the students that weren’t able to attend PAA last year due to the gathering restrictions and/or safety concerns.

In 2021, new exciting opportunities at PAA include a revamped summer outreach program for at-risk youth, and launching new programs like an Arts Leadership program for Middle and High School students and additional dance classes this Fall.

Your contribution will make an impact in this community, whether you donate $5 or $5,000. Every little bit helps!

You can donate through Facebook (all processing fees are covered by Facebook, so 100% of your donation goes directly to PAA!) or you can donate through our website.

DONATE NOW

Our Progress:

We successfully raised $40,322 during our Spring Fundraiser! Thank you to everyone for your generous donations!

We didn't quite reach our goal of $45,000, so the donation form below remains open through the end of May. We welcome your generosity to help fund performing arts in our community!
Week 5 Goal:
We are in our FINAL week of this fundraiser!!! We still need $7,659 to reach our goal! Please help us expand program offering at PAA with a donation today!
Week 4 Goal:
We are moving right into week 4 of our fundraiser and we need your help to reach this milestone goal! We need to reach $40,000 by the end of this week, which means we need $7,000 in donations.
 
Donations to this fundraiser will mean improvements and expansions to the PAA program such as a streamlined costuming department!
 
Having a well equipped costume department with sewing machines, thread, needles, scissors, fabric, and more at PAA would mean the work of costuming could be completed at PAA, instead of sending items home with contractors. It would allow for proper fitting rooms, so students no longer need to change in bathroom stalls (yay!). It means we can hold costume classes and pass on the knowledge of costume design and sewing skills.
 
We know we have big dreams, and with your help this can all be possible, and your kids will reap the benefits!
 
Please make a donation today to PAA to help us expand what we’re able to offer and reach more students through the transformative power of performing arts!
Week 3 Goal:

We've had the opportunity to rent space in a fantastic, purpose-built building this past Spring, and we are excited to be able to offer new movement-focused camps in this space this Summer!

Expanded programming, like our Dance Summer Camps, are one of the many ways we are hoping to build back stronger this year, and reach students who were not able to participate in PAA during this past year.

This week we need to raise $6,500 to reach a total campaign amount of $32,000. Your donations will contribute to our expanded programming and give your child, and others in the south Denver area, access to Performing Arts education that they can't get anywhere else.

Please make a donation today to help expand access to arts education in our community!

Week 2 Goal:

PAA is a supportive, inclusive home for so many students, and we want to reach MORE! This week our goal is to reach $22,500 in total campaign donations to help support NEW PROGRAMS specifically in DANCE. We need things like Marley (what's a Marley?), gaffers tape, and other supplies to equip our incredible dance department and support the dance education of our students. Please help us raise $8,500 this week! Donate Now!

Week 1 Goal:

An amazing group of supporters came together to create a matching fund for the first $7,000 raised in this campaign. WWOOOWW!! Please help us reach this week one goal! Every little bit helps! Donate Now!

Join us for these fun Events!

Trivia Night!

We're gathering online in the PAA Zoom Room on

Saturday, March 27
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Add to your calendar

We'll kick off our Spring fundraiser and put our knowledge to the test!

RSVP NOW!

Restaurant Night

Join us for delicious food supporting a good cause!

Tuesday, April 6
11:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Add to your calendar

Use coupon code PAA when ordering online!

RSVP NOW!

Silent Auction

48 Hours to grab your favorite items and support PAA!

3:00 PM Friday, April 16
- 5:00 PM Sunday April 18
Add to your calendar

We'll have classes and services up for bid as well as a selection of physical items.
http://bit.ly/BTS-Silent-Auction-2021​

REGISTER NOW!

Finale Celebration

Join us live on Facebook!

Friday, April 30
at 4:00 PM
Add to your calendar

Tune in for exciting announcements!

RSVP NOW!

Questions and Answers

 

You charge tuition, so why do you need donations?
Student tuition covers 60% of the cost of one PAA production. Because the price of putting on a show is so high we can’t possibly ask our students and families to shoulder the entire cost.

We are extremely grateful for the portion of financial support our students and families provide through their tuition, which is why we work diligently to make up the gap through fundraisers like our Spring, Build The Stage campaign, and our Fall, Stars in Arts Gala.

 

Where does my donation go?
To so many places! Internally we call it our “general operating fund” and this fund has the challenging job of covering the costs for our main PAA programing. This year we are focused on expanding programming in hopes of regaining the students that weren’t able to attend PAA in 2020 due to the gathering restrictions and/or safety concerns. 

In 2021, new exciting opportunities include a revamped after-school outreach program for at-risk youth and launching two new programs: an Arts Leadership program for Middle and High School students and PAA’s Academy of Dance coming this Fall.   

 

What happens if PAA doesn’t meet its fundraising goal?
We hope that doesn’t happen! Our fundraising goals are carefully calculated so that our projected operating costs are covered for the current calendar year. If we fall short, then we’ll have to get creative with our programming. We may not be able to hire that dance teacher for the fall semester, or we may need to combine age groups for the fall shows to reduce overall production cost. Again, we really hope that doesn’t happen!

 

Do you offer work-match donations?
This is a wonderful program offered by more than 300 companies nation wide. You can visit this page to see if your company participates.

 

I'm interested in making a larger donation.
That's wonderful! We have a lot of sponsorship opportunities for donors and companies who would like to support PAA. Please email Dr. James Ramsey or call 303-900-7041 x1.

Stay in touch!

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SAVE ON SPRING CLASSES!

In honor of our 15-year Anniversary, we are offering 15% off Spring Classes when students register for 2 or more classes!

The same student must be registered in both classes for the discount to apply.
Offer expires Monday, January 31

VIEW CLASS SCHEDULE

John Boggs

John Boggs is a pianist, composer and vocalist based currently in Thornton, Colorado. He holds a DMA in Composition from the University of Colorado Boulder, a M.M. in Composition from the University of Michigan and a B.F.A. from Bard College. Previous piano instructors include German Diez and MaryAnn Griebling. He taught students of all ages and experience during his undergraduate and graduate studies.

At Bard College he studied voice with tenor Rufus Müller. He has sung such roles as Jamie in The Last Five Years, The Lecturer in Reefer Madness, and El Gallo in The Fantasticks. He teaches repertoire in the genres of musical theater, art song, pop and opera. He currently is a Choral Pro for both the Ars Nova singers and the St. John’s Episcopal Compline Choir. In 2016, John co-founded Renaissance and Contemporary a cappella group, Solis, to promote new works from local and national composers.

His music direction includes Pippin and Rocky Horror Picture Show with the Bard Musical Theater Company. In 2017 he music directed Centerstage Theater Company’s production of Godspell, and most recently their 2021 production of Theory of Relativity.

He has had composition premiers by such groups as the American Symphony Orchestra, University of Michigan’s Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir, DaCapo Chamber Players, Ars Nova Singers, the Columbine Chorale, 303 Children’s Choir (now Vocal Coalition), the Chamber Music Society of Ohio, and new music ensemble Contemporaneous. He is the co-founder/co-writer as well as the keyboardist and vocalist for experimental rock band Fifth Veil, and is delving into the world of film and interactive game scoring.

He also has experience teaching students with developmental disabilities. He provided accompaniment for Tapestry Theater’s productions of Elf, School House Rocks and Shrek Jr. He was previously employed with Imagine’s CORE day program, where he instructed group music classes using midi over wifi to create the feeling of being in a band and orchestra.

 

 

Amy Arpan

Amy Arpan has worked professionally as an actress, show host, variety artist, improviser, fight choreographer, clown, and director for 22 years.

She is represented by Radical Artists Agency, and you may have seen her competing in the ‘Dish Network Challenge’ and zooming along on an electric scooter in the ‘Colorado Lottery’ Commercials.

Past local credits include Ella Enchanted at the Arvada Center; Mrs. Soames in Our Town at Miners Alley; the Conductor and Engineer in The Polar Express; Madame Volange in Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Miners Alley; Characters in Crisis for the Colorado Police Departments; and directing Fright Fest and the Summer Illusion Shows at Elitch Gardens. She is also a local weekly Trivia and Bingo Host.

Favorite out of State Credits and Clients
include: Nickelodean, Royal Caribbean,
Disney Cruise Lines, & Cedar Fair Theme Parks , Shakespeare Carolina, ChickSpeare, The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte,.

In addition to Clowning around with her Ringling Brother’s Circus School training, she is also fond of Juggling, Improv-ing, Performing Magic, Balloon Twisting, Lip Print Reading, Stilt Walking, Mascot work, Puppeteering, Show Hosting, and Character Roaming. She has been the owner and principal performer for Amy Arpan’s Illusions And Confusions since its founding in 1998.

Katie Reid Milazzo

Katie is thrilled to be returning to her beautiful home state of Colorado after 15 years away performing and teaching professionally, and she is very excited to be joining PAA! National Tours: South Pacific (Nellie Forbush), 'S Wonderful (Jane), Annie (Ronnie Boylan). Regional: Last Five Years (Cathy), Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy), Princess and the Pea (Queen u/s), Land of Forgotten Toys (Queen), Full Monty (Pam), Ordinary Days (Claire), B’way: The Big Band Years (featured singer), Sweeney Todd, The Who's Tommy. BFA Musical Theater from The University of Oklahoma. In Chicago, Katie taught and directed at several performing arts programs, directing/music directing over 20 shows with ages K - 12. She especially loves working one on one with students and believes in the transformative power of theater for everyone!

 

Jennifer Maggi

Jennifer Maggi grew up dancing in Orange County, California at the Pacific School of Ballet from the age of 5 to 18. Throughout her years there, she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, and Tap. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from California State University, Fullerton with an emphasis in Ballet and Modern. While completing her degree, Jennifer performed and choreographed for numerous professional dance shows and showcases as well as participated in the Limon Dance Intensive under Collin Connor. After graduating, Jennifer returned to Cal State Fullerton to choreograph the BFA Musical Theatre main stage productions of Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party, and Cry Baby. In 2014, Jennifer was cast as a performer at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California where she danced and portrayed famous Disney characters in the Pixar Play Parade, Paint the Night Parade, The Frightfully Fun Parade, and The Christmas Fantasy Parade. She moved to Denver in May 2019 and is so excited to join the team at PAA and share her passion for dance with her students.

Jana Wesson

Jana Wesson is thrilled to be back at PAA! As a former alumni, Jana is excited to be continuing with PAA as a staff of the outreach program. Since her last show in 2013 Jana has gone on to do community theatre at the Pace Center and Wesley Players Theatre Company, starring in shows such as Singin’ In The Rain, Mary Poppins, The Music Man and many more!

McKensey Struzik

McKensey graduated from Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts with a BA in Acting and a Minor in Musical Theatre in 2016.  Since, she has taught children’s theatre at various studios in Virginia as well as in Colorado.  She has taught dance, private voice and group acting classes as well as choreographed, music directed many productions.  She has tap danced for 17 years and had the opportunity to study under tap dancers such as Savion Glover, Chloe Arnold, Maude Arnold, and Jason Janas.  She is thrilled to teach tap with PAA this year and can’t wait to get started.

Andrew McGlothen

Andrew McGlothen is thrilled to be back for his 2nd summer with PAA. Originally from Texas, Andrew has been fabricator, scenic painter, director and actor for over a decade. He’s had the privilege to work for companies like the Arvada Center for Arts and Humanities, Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids, Denver Comic Con, Visionbox Studio and many others. If you need something designed or created, he’s your guy. When not working in theatre Andrew is a Graphic Designer and coffee snob. He’d like to thank his husband and dogs for the support and PAA for the opportunity!”

 

Melanie Ware

Melanie has been with PAA as their Properties Master for six years and teaching classes for five. Melanie received her BA in Theatre from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in May of 2016. Between Acting, Directing and Properties Design she has roughly 12 years of theatrical experience. Favorite PAA design credits include: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown!, Tarzan, Mary Poppins and The Addams Family.

 

 

 

Stephanie Hesse

Stephanie is thrilled to join PAA, and is very proud of this group of talented kids!  With a BA in both Theatre and Dance from Colorado Mesa University,  Stephanie has performed with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Avatar Movement Dance Company, and in several musicals in the Denver area including 9 to 5, 42nd Street, Crazy For You, and West Side Story. Choreography credits include: A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder, Hello Dolly!, She Loves Me, 13: The Musical, and Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr.