Who Are We?

Our Mission

We are artists, educators, and civically minded folks who together seek to enrich the lives of local youth by providing quality education in the performing arts through affordable training and production opportunities.

Youth who experience theatre education tend to develop empathy, self-confidence, and an awareness of social and civic responsibility. Theatre teaches creativity, confidence, collaboration, focus, self-discipline, and accountability.

We encourage the work of an ensemble by instilling the philosophy that we are stronger together.

We are a 501 (c) (3) organization with a public charity status. We are truly a non-profit organization seeking to bring the arts to Mon Valley communities. Our existence is due in part to the hard work of our curtain raisers (our parents) and donations from local businesses and people like you.

The Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy non-profit is a community outreach program providing year-round education in the areas of acting, voice, dance, musical theatre and technical theatre for local youth. There are two branches of study with the Academy—the summer programming and the academic year.

The design of the summer programming provides students from pre-k through twelfth grade a variety of theatre experiences through one week or two week programs. Past programs have investigated playwriting, storytelling, the creation and operation of puppetry, as well as more intensive educational experience through programs offering a combination of classes, as well as a simulated professional theatre experience through the rehearsal and performance of a production.

The academic year of study provides the student weekly study in various levels of acting, voice, dance and improv. Courses run from September through early May and culminate with a showcase providing family and friends of the MVPs the opportunity to see what has been learned during the year. What makes the Academy unique is that the education of the student is stressed, rather than attendance at competitions and the dance recitals.

About Us

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Accreditation

Becoming a 501 (c) (3) organization made the MVPAA ineligible for NAST accreditation. However, the folks at NAST recognize the quality of training students studying with MVPAA receive and have encouraged us to seek accreditation through the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-Collegiate Arts Schools - ACCPAS.

We will seek to attain this accreditation, as we feel it is important that our training meet national standards set forth by an accrediting body in order to hold ourselves to a high standard of education and programming.

We will keep this page updated on our pursuit.