Summer Performing Arts Company
Encyclopedia
The Summer Performing Arts Company(SPA) is a summerstock educational theatre program in Grand Forks, North Dakota
that is part of the Grand Forks Public Schools
. Started in 1987 as a voice lesson and performance program for high school students, SPA now has over 1000 students ranging from elementary to high school, and produces one to three mainstage productions each summer at the Red River High School
Theatre and Central High School
Auditorium. Other venues have included the Chester Fritz Auditorium
at the University of North Dakota
and the Empire Arts Center in Downtown Grand Forks
. In addition to the mainstage productions, accredited classes for high school students are offered. A middle school/junior high program and elementary school program are also offered. In addition, the Grand Cities Children's Choir operates as a division of SPA. "GCCC" features several separate choirs that have regular concerts and special tours.
The SPA is an eight-week summer arts program available for students in the elementary, middle and high schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota and the surrounding communities. These programs are instructed by staff from the Grand Forks region (including the Grand Forks Public Schools and the University of North Dakota), as well as special guests from around the country.
Students learn and grow in through a variety of experiences in the arts. SPA produces several theatrical performances each year, as well as a series of concerts. Other performance opportunities also exist for students. There are many classes in a variety of areas, including vocal and instrumental ensembles, visual arts, and technology. Individual lessons on voice or an instrument are provided as well. SPA is offered through the Grand Forks Public Schools, and graduation credits are earned by students for their work.
* Classes, such as vocal ensembles, steel drums, music theory, and jazz dance.
* Vocal lessons
* Backstage work on a technical crew
* On-stage participation in a musical (or drama, when offered)
In 1988, SPA had 30 participants and 13 staff members. In 2007 there were 1,333 students and 50 staff members.
A student who participates in the SPA program from Kindergarten or first grade until he/she graduates from high school will spend the equivalent of an entire school year with the program.
SPA has given over 325 public performances to over 111,500 audience members.
There have been 904 staff members of the SPA program. Of these 904 staff members, 456 were alumni of the SPA program.
(FEMA) director James Lee Witt
made a suggestion of bringing the musical to the Super Bowl
in New Orleans.
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
that is part of the Grand Forks Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools
Grand Forks Public Schools is a system of publicly-funded K-12 schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The GFPS comprises two school districts: the Grand Forks School District and the Grand Forks Air Force Base School District. There are twelve elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high...
. Started in 1987 as a voice lesson and performance program for high school students, SPA now has over 1000 students ranging from elementary to high school, and produces one to three mainstage productions each summer at the Red River High School
Red River High School
Red River High School is a public high school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. It serves about 1,337 students and is one of two high schools in the Grand Forks Public Schools system. The athletic teams are known as "The Roughriders"....
Theatre and Central High School
Central High School (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
Central High School is a public senior high school in the Grand Forks Public Schools district. It is located near the University of North Dakota. It has a main focus on athletics and is regionally renowned in ice hockey, golf and tennis.-Location:...
Auditorium. Other venues have included the Chester Fritz Auditorium
Chester Fritz Auditorium
The Chester Fritz Auditorium is a performance facility on the campus of the University of North Dakota located in the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota. "The Fritz", as it is commonly known, is used for many events including concerts, dance groups, and popular Broadway musicals...
at the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
and the Empire Arts Center in Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks
Downtown Grand Forks is the original commercial center of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Located on the western bank of the Red River of the North, the downtown neighborhood is situated near the fork of the Red River and the Red Lake River. While downtown is no longer the dominant commercial area of...
. In addition to the mainstage productions, accredited classes for high school students are offered. A middle school/junior high program and elementary school program are also offered. In addition, the Grand Cities Children's Choir operates as a division of SPA. "GCCC" features several separate choirs that have regular concerts and special tours.
The SPA is an eight-week summer arts program available for students in the elementary, middle and high schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota and the surrounding communities. These programs are instructed by staff from the Grand Forks region (including the Grand Forks Public Schools and the University of North Dakota), as well as special guests from around the country.
Students learn and grow in through a variety of experiences in the arts. SPA produces several theatrical performances each year, as well as a series of concerts. Other performance opportunities also exist for students. There are many classes in a variety of areas, including vocal and instrumental ensembles, visual arts, and technology. Individual lessons on voice or an instrument are provided as well. SPA is offered through the Grand Forks Public Schools, and graduation credits are earned by students for their work.
Elementary SPA
Elementary SPA (grades K-5) is a two-week exploratory workshop full of activities such as creative dramatics exercises and theatre games. Students develop characters, create plays, and perform for each other on a daily basis. Also, on the last day there is a student-prepared public performance.Middle School SPA
Middle School SPA (grades 6-7) is a four-week session focusing on drama, dance, and music. The focus of this program is process rather than product, so emphasis is placed on training. The end performance is a show and tell of what they have learned throughout the session.High School SPA
High School SPA (grades 8-11) runs for two months, and hours of participation can vary greatly depending on the level of involvement. High school offerings include:* Classes, such as vocal ensembles, steel drums, music theory, and jazz dance.
* Vocal lessons
* Backstage work on a technical crew
* On-stage participation in a musical (or drama, when offered)
SPA Mentoring
The SPA Mentoring Program is designed to create opportunities for students to develop positive peer and adult relationships. All SPA participants have access to mentoring activities. As part of the program, at-risk students can be referred to the program by a counselor, teacher, or parent, and one-one-one attention is given to these students by trained mentors.Mission
The SPa's mission is "Inspiration through arts":- To provide high-quality arts education for all of SPA’s participants.
- To create arts-based activities to meet the demand of enrolled students, rather than limit opportunities and enrollment.
- To include every student that wishes to participate.
- To create a positive, safe, and respectful learning environment for students.
- To create a positive, safe, and respectful working environment for educators and staff.
- To promote and educate students on lifelong skills such as teamwork, cooperation, conflict resolution, tolerance, and good character.
Quick Facts
Approximately 6,537 students have participated in the Elementary SPA program from 1987-2007. These figures, combined with student lesson totals and the Grand Cities Children’s Choir, give an approximate number of 11,754 students that have participated in the program from 1987-2007.In 1988, SPA had 30 participants and 13 staff members. In 2007 there were 1,333 students and 50 staff members.
A student who participates in the SPA program from Kindergarten or first grade until he/she graduates from high school will spend the equivalent of an entire school year with the program.
SPA has given over 325 public performances to over 111,500 audience members.
There have been 904 staff members of the SPA program. Of these 904 staff members, 456 were alumni of the SPA program.
Awards
SPA has won several awards for its accomplishments, including:- Nelson-Miller Award, SPA/GCCC Volunteers (2006)
- Grand Forks Public Schools ~ Top 100 U.S. Communities for Music Education (1999-2006)
- Kennedy Center Partners in Education Team Member (1999-2006)
- Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (Melanie Popejoy) (2004)
- Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (Dean Opp) (2003)
- North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts w/GFPS (2002)
- Awarded a Partnership in a Local Mentoring Grant (2000)
- North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts (1999)
- Community Spirit Award—Keep the Faith (1998)
- Mayor’s Award for the Arts—Keep the Faith (1997)
Keep the Faith
The program has gained national recognition for its production of Keep the Faith, a musical written by SPA staff and area composers and musicians after the historic 1997 Red River Flood. After attending the 10 year anniversary performance of Keep the Faith, former Federal Emergency Management AgencyFederal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA) director James Lee Witt
James Lee Witt
James Lee Witt was Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the administration of President Bill Clinton....
made a suggestion of bringing the musical to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
in New Orleans.