On the Boards
PPA produces two major productions each year. In the fall it’s a musical that’s open to students in grades 1-8. The spring show features middle schoolers. Although no audition is required to attend PPA, where any child can explore the arts, students do audition for these shows which are performed in front of an audience that includes the general public.
Those enrolled in theater classes also perform in shorter plays at the end of each semester. Since these productions do not require an audition, anyone can play a part. Every student gets a role in their class play since that’s part of the curriculum.
Center Stage or Behind the Scenes
As many as 70 students perform during one of PPA’s Main Stage productions, but not everyone who attends here has aspirations to star on stage. Students can join the tech crew and assist with building and painting sets, selecting costumes, applying makeup, designing and creating props, running sound and light boards, and managing backstage during a show. Middle schoolers who participate in the Technical Theatre Club, one of our after-school activities, assist with at least one show each semester.
Visual artists also get involved. Photos are taken by the yearbook student staff and there’s a contest to select student artwork for each play’s promotional materials.
In an effort to expose our students to different types of stories from classical to modern and fairytales to realism, our experienced theater teaching team chooses productions that will engage our young actors and challenge them in their artistic growth. The all-school musical for the 2024-25 school year is Oliver Jr. to be performed in November. A Wrinkle in Time is the middle school play scheduled for April 2025.
No matter what area of performance elementary and middle schoolers are interested in, PPA is the place to begin their artistic pursuit. A limited number of spaces are still available for the next school year which begins August 14th. Contact us now to learn more about how to enroll.
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About Parker Performing Arts School
Parker Performing Arts School (PPA) is a public, tuition free performing arts school serving elementary and middle school students, chartered by the Douglas County School District. We deliver the art of education combining a rigorous academic curriculum and daily training in performing and visual arts We accept all K-8 students interested in pursuing their artistic passion. Enroll now.