Junior Academy of the Performing Arts

Curtains up! Discover the magic of theater this season with JAPA

Since 2016, the Junior Academy of the Performing Arts (JAPA) has provided semi-professional level performing arts experiences for youth and teens in Prince George’s County and the greater Washington, D.C., area. JAPA introduces theater to students who have a talent and curiosity for the performing arts and strengthens the knowledge and skill level of students already interested in performance. Students discover the magic of theater through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, and performing a Broadway-style musical theater production presented on the stages at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland.

JAPA presents a fall and spring musical production and offers summer camps for ages eight to twelve. The program rehearses at the Prince George’s County Suite at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

The Junior Academy of the Performing Arts has exciting performance and training opportunities occurring year-round. We run twelve-week sessions in the fall and spring and run two-week day camp sessions in the summer season. In the fall, class is held on Sundays, 10 am-3 pm, and in the spring, class is held on Saturdays, 10 am-3 pm. All sessions will be held at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center within the PG Suite classroom and dance studio. Check out the photos from our past shows below! In the past year, we have produced a diverse range of musicals: Cinderella, 101 Dalmatians, Madagascar, High School Musical 1 & 2, Frozen, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, and Annie! Stay tuned for more information about the next JAPA production. Activity codes for our upcoming sessions are listed below:

Spring Sessions & Activity Codes:

JAPA Musical Production – 23643-202A

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Saturdays, February 14-May 16, 10 am-3 pm

Join us for our Junior Academy of Performing Arts spring production of the classic, Willy Wonka Jr.!

Classes will be held on Saturday mornings (10 am-3 pm), including instruction in dance, music/singing, and drama/acting. No class will be held on April 4 due to spring break. Show date is scheduled for Sunday, May 17!

JAPA Dance Intensive – 23643-202D

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Thursdays, February 26-April 2, 6:30-8 pm

Join us for our newest class series of the Junior Academy of the Performing Arts program!

This six-week intensive class is focused solely on building and developing skills while fine-tuning talent within the musical theatre realm of dance. Dance instruction will involve genres including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, African, and musical theatre to introduce a diverse set of dance training. Open to beginners who have a deep interest in the arts as well as pre-professional youth. Please note that this class will not have a musical production to conclude the session.

JAPA Drama & Acting Intensive – 23643-202B

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Mondays, February 23-March 20, 6:30-8 pm

Join us for our newest class series of the Junior Academy of the Performing Arts program!

This six-week intensive class is focused solely on building and developing skills while fine-tuning talent within the musical theatre realm of drama and acting. Instruction will revolve around improvisation, script studying skills, stage presence, and character development. Open to beginners who have a deep interest in the arts as well as pre-professional youth. Please note that this class will not have a musical production to conclude the session.

JAPA Vocal Music Intensive – 23643-202C

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Tuesdays, February 24-March 31, 6:30-8 pm

Join us for our newest class series of the Junior Academy of the Performing Arts program!

This six-week intensive class is focused solely on building and developing skills while fine-tuning talent within the musical theatre realm of singing, music, and choral arts. Open to beginners who have a deep interest in the arts as well as pre-professional youth. Please note that this class will not have a musical production to conclude the session.