Young performers enjoy their chance to be on stage

By Eric Seiverling

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Students in the Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy gave a show-stopping performance Friday as they concluded the academy’s five-day Summer Experience Jr. program.

The program started Monday and culminated yesterday with the students, ages 5 to 7, putting on a musical performance that included songs from Willy Wonka, the Muppets and other favorites.

The Summer Experience Jr. program is the first of two summer sessions for the academy. The second Summer Experience will run from July 12 to July 23 for ages 8 to 17.

Along with the summer sessions, the academy, created by California University of Pennsylvania theater professor Dr. Michele Pagen, offers weekly courses in various levels of acting, voice and dance that run from September through early May.

The academy is housed in the Department of Music and Theatre on the campus of Cal U. 

The academy is a non-profit community outreach program that provides year-round education in the areas of acting, voice, dance and musicianship for area youths.

Pagen said the academy’s goal is to offer low-cost theater training to children.

“It grew out of a dream of mine,” she said. “I wish something like this was available when I was a kid. I vowed that if I was ever in a position to do something like this, I would do it.”

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