Artists Have New Home In Kapolei
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American Renaissance Academy opens the doors to its brand-new School For the Performing Arts Sept. 7 and welcomes interested students in grades 5-12 to an audition for the coming semester at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at the academy campus, Building 1 Lexington Ave. in Kapolei.
According to SFPA director and dance department head Christina Caplan, the new school is modeled after the well-known LaGuardia Arts school in New York City, made famous as the setting for the movie FAME.
“(ARA) has been running a musical theatre department within the school for years, and the turnout and parent support have been incredible,” Caplan said. “I think that had a great part in them creating this new school and enrichment studio.”
Life will imitate art as students study core academics (math, science, social studies, language arts and world language) for the first half of the day before being shuttled to the nearby, newly constructed arts studio. There they will deepen their knowledge of the performing arts and learn various styles of dance, acting and vocal and instrument training.
“Through this program, we will offer a rigorous performing arts education combined with our premiere general education courses,” said Caplan, who moved to West Oahu from Denver last month specifically to accept her new role. The national performer and choreographer now lives in Ewa Beach with husband Brian.
“I came to do (Honolulu Broadway Babies) last year and had the pleasure of meeting Kelly Tanizaki, the CEO of ARA,” Caplan said. “I went back to the Mainland and within a few months they offered me this position and had started planning and building this brand-new facility.”
After school, the performing arts studio will be open to the public for classes in everything from jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, swing, cheerleading, acting, guitar and vocal lessons.
Caplan noted that they also will be adding the island’s largest recording studio in the near future
“By opening our doors for the enrichment classes, we want everyday people to come and express themselves creatively and connect with others in the community,” she said. “We want to take some of the stress off from the daily bump and grind.
“We are also doing the musical GREASE this year, and what better way to get people to smile and blow off some steam, whether they are on stage or in the audience!”
Classes are offered from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 2176 Lauwiliwili St. in Kapolei and are open to keiki (age 5 and up) and adults. Monthly fee is $125 per class, with a $25 discount for each additional class taken.
Admission is limited and very competitive.
Call 682-7337 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for additional information.
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