The Legacy Program
Registration Opens in August 2019
This isn't your typical community theater program. All children who register are able to participate!
Our Legacy Program runs 22 weeks (from September to February) and builds up to a weekend of performances.
Our organization works with all the children at different levels to help them all grow as artists.
To achieve this our program has three levels.
The RISING STARS are our youngest group of K-2nd grade aged performers. We serve a smaller number of children in this group to we can best meet their learning requirements. This group meets starting in November every week leading up to the February performances. Please see the calendar for details! These children are highlighted in their own show as they present a 15-20 minute vignette of the main production just prior to the performance of our older group. This smaller format allows the children more more individual attention while learning theatrical elements including blocking, singing in a large group, performing solos and duets, choreography, and dialog.
The SHOOTING STARS is comprised of 3rd-6th graders. This more mature age group works to create a 1 1/2 hour full scale production. This is achieved through theater education sessions held on Sundays between 1-4 pm starting in September. Many times we will call special groups from 1-2 pm and the main full cast from 2-4pm. A variety of theater skills are taught utilizing rotations in groups of 2 to 30. Groups are lead by different production staff and lessons are tailored using chosen scenes from the production. Our team facilitates lessons in singing, acting (which includes theater games and character development work), and dance from beginner to advanced choreography.
Our selection process to assign roles is very unique. The process to place each child in their role(s) takes 4-6 weeks. Within our instructional rotations we evaluate the skills of our cast. We also give every child the opportunity to try out for multiple roles to allow them the experience of auditioning - no matter their skill set. Skills we evaluate include speaking, singing and dancing. We strive to enhance their growth of each specific child with this process - and most importantly to help them feel SUCCESSFUL and have fun.
While students are rehearsing weekly on Sundays between the hours of 1 and 4, volunteers are working to make costumes and sets. Every child has at least one costume with approximately a dozen children serving in multiple roles requiring multiple costumes. A typical show has 8 sets to create. These sets and costumes are conceptualized and implemented utilizing parent volunteers. We aim to exceed the expectations of our audience by creating costumes and sets similar to what you’d find at a professional production.
Our JUNIOR DIRECTOR PROGRAM integrates former alumni members as Junior Directors. Junior Directors are children in grades 7 through 12 that have participated in the Legacy Program (or have other prior theater experience). Utilizing former students as Junior Directors offers our children a unique perspective in which they direct and mentor each other. Junior Directors commit to attending the majority of rehearsals and all performances. They assist the production team in facilitating group rotations and providing individual support for cast members when needed, and help with all aspects of the production including building sets, props and sewing costumes.
Our Legacy Program runs 22 weeks (from September to February) and builds up to a weekend of performances.
Our organization works with all the children at different levels to help them all grow as artists.
To achieve this our program has three levels.
The RISING STARS are our youngest group of K-2nd grade aged performers. We serve a smaller number of children in this group to we can best meet their learning requirements. This group meets starting in November every week leading up to the February performances. Please see the calendar for details! These children are highlighted in their own show as they present a 15-20 minute vignette of the main production just prior to the performance of our older group. This smaller format allows the children more more individual attention while learning theatrical elements including blocking, singing in a large group, performing solos and duets, choreography, and dialog.
The SHOOTING STARS is comprised of 3rd-6th graders. This more mature age group works to create a 1 1/2 hour full scale production. This is achieved through theater education sessions held on Sundays between 1-4 pm starting in September. Many times we will call special groups from 1-2 pm and the main full cast from 2-4pm. A variety of theater skills are taught utilizing rotations in groups of 2 to 30. Groups are lead by different production staff and lessons are tailored using chosen scenes from the production. Our team facilitates lessons in singing, acting (which includes theater games and character development work), and dance from beginner to advanced choreography.
Our selection process to assign roles is very unique. The process to place each child in their role(s) takes 4-6 weeks. Within our instructional rotations we evaluate the skills of our cast. We also give every child the opportunity to try out for multiple roles to allow them the experience of auditioning - no matter their skill set. Skills we evaluate include speaking, singing and dancing. We strive to enhance their growth of each specific child with this process - and most importantly to help them feel SUCCESSFUL and have fun.
While students are rehearsing weekly on Sundays between the hours of 1 and 4, volunteers are working to make costumes and sets. Every child has at least one costume with approximately a dozen children serving in multiple roles requiring multiple costumes. A typical show has 8 sets to create. These sets and costumes are conceptualized and implemented utilizing parent volunteers. We aim to exceed the expectations of our audience by creating costumes and sets similar to what you’d find at a professional production.
Our JUNIOR DIRECTOR PROGRAM integrates former alumni members as Junior Directors. Junior Directors are children in grades 7 through 12 that have participated in the Legacy Program (or have other prior theater experience). Utilizing former students as Junior Directors offers our children a unique perspective in which they direct and mentor each other. Junior Directors commit to attending the majority of rehearsals and all performances. They assist the production team in facilitating group rotations and providing individual support for cast members when needed, and help with all aspects of the production including building sets, props and sewing costumes.
Forest Lake Area Schools ISD #831 is not endorsing or sponsoring the activities conducted by Children's Performing Arts on the Forest Lake Area High School campus.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
