Program Overview
PAA offers musical theatre shows and performing arts classes during the Fall and Spring semesters. In the Summer, PAA offerers a selection of musical theater show summer camps, in addition to weekly options for performing arts mini camps. New to PAA? Start with these classes
Fall Semester
August - November
Fall Shows
Each Fall PAA offers several musical theatre shows as well as a play option. Rehearsals for shows occur twice a week throughout the semester and perform at the end of the semester. Learn More
Fall Classes
Many different classes are offered during the fall semester. PAA offers classes in Dance, Acting, Voice and Technical Theatre topics. Learn More
Fall Outreach Program
PAA provides a large number of financial aid to students in this program. The financial aid awards are funded through donations, sponsorships and grants for at-risk youth. Students attend rehearsals and classes after or before school for a musical theatre production. Learn More
Spring Semester
January - May
Spring Shows
Each Spring PAA offers several musical theatre shows as well as a play option. Rehearsals for shows occur twice a week throughout the semester and perform at the end of the semester. Learn More
Spring Classes
Many different classes are offered during the spring semester. PAA offers classes in Dance, Acting, Voice and Technical Theatre topics. Learn More
Spring Outreach Program
PAA provides a large number of financial aid to students in this program. The financial aid awards are funded through donations, sponsorships and grants for at-risk youth. Students attend rehearsals and classes after or before school for a musical theatre production. Learn More
Summer Camps
June - July
Multiple 1- and 2-Week Summer Camps for Kindergarten – 12th grade!
During the months of June and July, PAA offers 1-week and 2-week summer camp programs that involve curriculum-driven and performance-based rehearsals and performances for grades K - 12. Learn More
Workshops and Masterclasses
Learn from industry professionals in one-time classes
Theatre Master Classes and Workshops occur occasionally throughout the year and have short time frames for registration due the availability of the artist. In addition to local artists, PAA engages touring artists to the master class setting that want to help enhance our students experience in voice, dance, and acting.
If you’d like to be notified when when new theatre master classes and workshops are scheduled, subscribe to our mailing list.
PAA Afterschool
After School Musical Theater Outreach Programs for At-Risk Youth
Each Fall and Spring, PAA runs an after school outreach program for students at various Elementary schools in South Denver and Douglas County, Colorado. The program is offered to students and families who have limited access to extended arts programs due to financial constraints. Students register through PAA’s website once the dates and times are coordinated with the school calendar. PAA is thankful for the many donors and foundations who help make this program possible for the students in our community!
Our Story and Our Future
The Performing Arts Academy (PAA) is located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
In 2006, Dr. James Ramsey created a theater arts program that would engage 26 children and their families, inspiring them to reveal brilliance and to grow within their community. In the south metro Denver area, PAA is unique, attracting students of all backgrounds and employing quality, seasoned professionals with degrees in music theater, music performance and music education. The teaching staff consistently designs and implements curriculum that delivers a high quality experience in performing arts for children of all abilities. Our educational model focuses on teaching confidence, cooperation, collaboration, creativity, and community through performing arts experiences.
PAA has grown from 26 students in 2006 to over 900 students in 2021. Facility needs have been accommodated by the continued generosity of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, but our rapid growth has demanded additional space. In the Spring of 2021 PAA moved into the studio and rehearsal space located at 5690 County Line Pl. in Highlands Ranch allowing our programming to grow exponentially. New opportunities require skillful management to maintain steady and successful growth over time. Long term strategic planning options include but are not limited to:
- Building successful programs in music and theatre for children.
- Expanding into local schools to enhance music and theatre education.
- Developing community partnerships to support and sustain growth.
- Creating a safe space where students are inspired, nurtured and challenged to learn, perform, and grow.
PAA continues its efforts to become a self-sustaining organization, with partnerships, fund-raising and grant writing supplementing the current model of “fee for services.”
Growing with PAA
Our focus in classes and productions by age group.
Pre-K and Early Elementary
Children use creative discovery and imaginative play as they explore dramatic expression in the forms of dance, acting and music. Theatrical skills are learned through age-appropriate theatre stories and scripts, and the skills are applied in fun practice sessions. At the end of the semester, children share what they have learned with friends and family in a Shareformance.
Elementary
Child artists learn and apply theatrical skills in the disciplines of dance, music, and text-based acting work, and are encouraged to explore how acting is inside all components of stage craft. More complex, age-appropriate theatre stories are explored, and scripts are introduced as a regular part of the classes. Ideas of character and story choices, theatre vocabulary, and guidelines for proper practice in theatrical work, including in rehearsal and production processes, are presented in fun and drama-based ways. These ideas are then applied in mini practice sessions in classes, as well as in productions.
Middle & High School
Young artists engage in studies of dance, music and text-based acting work, using scripts and non-scripted practice to learn and apply theatrical skills. More complex age-appropriate theatrical material is used for this age group, to keep their interest and engagement as they explore stories in dramatic fashion. At this age, the artists often ask to be challenged, and we meet them where they are so they can express their individuality, as well as learn to be a part of a collaborative whole, while encouraging them to go further in their theatrical learning and application.
Adults
For our theatre loving and theatre curious adults, we offer a variety of classes at different levels. We create a safe and fun environment where adults can learn and create in a variety of artistic disciplines, both on and off the stage. If you are an adult who has always wanted to try theatre, or someone who used to do theatre and wants to get back into it, or a practicing artist who has lots of experience and is seeking a community of fellow theatre enthusiasts, we welcome you!