News & Info

Putting ‘Family’ in PAA camps

By PAA Webmaster / July 3, 2014 / Comments Off on Putting ‘Family’ in PAA camps

A post by Valerie Koenig, PAA parent & staff. My six year old daughter attended her first PAA Intensive program in June. She was among the youngest of the students, and with 7 hour days for 2 weeks, I was both nervous and excited for her. I knew she would learn a lot and have…

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Jungle Book was a Howlin’ Great Time!

By PAA Webmaster / June 25, 2014 / Comments Off on Jungle Book was a Howlin’ Great Time!

A guest post by Melanie Kirkpatrick, PAA Site Director. PAA’s first intensive of the summer wrapped up on Friday, June 13, and a great time was had by all! More than 225 friends, family and members of the community crowded into the East Elementary gymnasium to watch our 38 students sing, dance and act their…

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Music Theory

By PAA Webmaster / June 18, 2014 / Comments Off on Music Theory

A guest post by Krista Beckman, PAA Assistant Producer. For musicians of every age and skill level, music theory has the potential to inform and enrich every aspect of their music-making. Young musicians in particular benefit tremendously from its ability to empower – by experiencing the music they learn on a deeper level with an increasing knowledge of…

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Early Opportunities Build a Foundation for Success in Life

By PAA Webmaster / June 11, 2014 / Comments Off on Early Opportunities Build a Foundation for Success in Life

A guest post by Brian Olson, PAA Marketing Consultant. All through school and our professional lives we’re expected to perform. Maybe not on stage (Although wouldn’t that be cool!) but in just about everything we do. Ever seen a great speaker at an event? You know, someone with poise, a person who commands the room.…

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Designing Lighting

By PAA Webmaster / June 4, 2014 / Comments Off on Designing Lighting

A guest post by Seth Alison, PAA Technical Director and Co-Theatrical Director. theatre has two main aspects. There is the performance side that is most widely recognized, and there is the technical side which is where you will find me more subtly creating the lighting aspects of the performance. I work closely with the Design team…

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The Art of Dance

By PAA Webmaster / May 28, 2014 / Comments Off on The Art of Dance

A guest post by Tracey Zimmerman. I can’t imagine my life without the art of dance. My dance training began at the age of two, and I have been fortunate enough to still have it be such a huge influence on my life both professionally and personally. I have trained with some amazing teachers and…

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A Reflection on the Importance of Improvisation

By PAA Webmaster / May 21, 2014 / Comments Off on A Reflection on the Importance of Improvisation

A guest post by PAA instructor, Sarah “Frankie” Frank. When I was 12 years old, I started training in improvisational acting and the skills I learned from my coaches and peers have had incredible influence on my life. Improv is a form of acting that requires quick thinking, word and image association and spontaneous partnership…

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PAA – A Highlight of Summer

By PAA Webmaster / May 14, 2014 / Comments Off on PAA – A Highlight of Summer

A guest post by PAA parent, Jill Lee. We choose PAA year after year because of the values it teaches the kids, the focus it places on each individual and the friendships it has created for our daughter. During the 2 weeks of PAA I will come by a little early so that I can…

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Building Character (without the kids realizing it!)

By PAA Webmaster / May 7, 2014 / Comments Off on Building Character (without the kids realizing it!)

A guest post by PAA parent, Suzanne Sharpe. As I reflect back on the many years that we have participated in PAA (my son Devin participated in the very first PAA and has not missed a musical intensive yet!), I am amazed at the influence the program has had in our lives. We started participating…

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On Auditions

By PAA Webmaster / April 30, 2014 / Comments Off on On Auditions

A guest post by Thomas Gerlick. When going for an audition your job is not to get a role, but to showcase your abilities as best you can. There are so many things that go into the casting process that are beyond the actor’s control that it’s best not to worry about it. One you have…

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The business of showbusiness

By PAA Webmaster / April 23, 2014 / Comments Off on The business of showbusiness

A guest post by Piper Arpan McTaggart. It takes a village to make a great show. Everyone has unique gifts and talents to share. That being said, be humble. Be kind. Know where you fit in to the mix. As a director and choreographer, I have not hired incredibly talented actors or technicians because I knew…

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Why PAA?

By PAA Webmaster / April 16, 2014 / Comments Off on Why PAA?

The past few years have brought a lot of changes to Music and Arts funding and programming in our local schools and the reduction in offers at school has opened up a host of opportunities in the community. SO what sets us apart? We welcome students of all skill levels and help them grow to…

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