Year-Long Program for Grades 6-12
The Company is an individualized pre-professional performing arts conservatory for intermediate/advanced Middle and High School artists committed to deepening their performing arts education in American Musical Theatre.
The Company at the APAA is an individualized pre-professional/pre-collegiate performing arts conservatory for artists committed to deepening their performing arts education in American Musical Theatre.
The Company program is for rising 6th-12th graders who show a love for being on stage. This conservatory program offers weekly classes in Dance, Acting, and Music. The Company students also put on a fully produced musical and attend theatrical performances/conferences.
Class Schedule:
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 4:30 pm-7:30 pm
Saturdays: 10 am-2 pm (Based on productions)
Middle School
Grades 6-8
High School
Grade 9-12
Company 2025-26
October 9-18, 2025
Show: From Asheville, With Love
January 16-18, 2026
Junior Theatre Festival, Atlanta
February 20-March 1, 2026Show: Hadestown
May 22-24, 2026
Show: Seussical
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
THE PROFESSIONAL PERFORMING ARTS CLASSROOM
Students take music, acting, and dance classes every week with various master classes focusing in topics like audition, improv, technical theatre, and specialized dance classes offered at different times during the semester.
HIGH QUALITY THEATRE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS
Students in the Company Program are a part of the APAA Mainstage Company. This company produces a variety of cabarets as well as full-length musicals. Rehearsals are incorporated into their weekly schedule.
THE COMPANY IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROGRAM.
The APAA has won many awards in Ensemble Work, Choreography, Acting, and more! We also have alumni studying and working across the country as professional artists and arts administrators.
WHAT DOES THE COMPANY PROGRAM CONSIST OF?
WEEKLY DANCE CLASS
These classes focus on integrating movement and musicality skills. Dance class reinforces proper Jazz and Ballet techniques, knowledge and performance. Artists will develop a stylized technique that will prepare them for higher-level dance classes. Dance at the Company introduces resident artists to the many aspects and styles of American musical theatre vernacular and contemporary dance forms.
WEEKLY ACTING CLASS
These classes introduce, teach and reinforce realism skills and techniques. Company artists apply their learned techniques in all monologues, scene study, script reading, interpretation and performance work. Students will also develop an audition binder, including monologues and song selections to be ready for their Academy mainstage auditions and other works.
PROFESSIONAL STYLE REHEARSALS
Students participate in a cohesive rehearsal period that helps them learn how professional rehearsals happen. Students will focus on the music for the season shows and work on proper singing techniques, diction and performance. Students combine the music lessons with the scene work and choreography necessary for each show. This rehearsal period culminates in public performances of the various works throughout the year.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Participating in live theatre brings everyone together to live spirits and form deeper bonds with one another. In order to have an impact, theatre must be shared with the local community. Students in the Company program have opportunities throughout the year to perform in outreach opportunities such as local schools, nursing homes, and festivals.
JUNIOR THEATRE FESTIVAL
Company Students attend the Junior Theatre Festival as part of being in the Company program. The rehearsal fees are NOT included in tuition and students will be fundraising to help cover the cost of the $350 JTF entrance fee.
From Asheville, With Love - Our First Company Performance of 2025!
This special event features performances by a phenomenal cast of APAA staff and industry professionals, along with the academy's talented senior company members.
Prepare to be captivated by powerful numbers from a wide range of musicals, including Cabaret, Dear Evan Hansen, Songs for a New World, Spring Awakening, tick, tick...BOOM!, The Great Comet, The Last 5 Years, Chicago, and more. There will even be an opportunity for audience participation!
How to Join the Company
APPLICATION
Interested students can go ahead and register here. After completing registration, our staff will send you a getting to know you form and schedule a time for a placement interview. The interview is to help us determine dance ability and vocal type.
Please note: Students who participated in summer programs may not need to complete the getting to know you form or placement interview. Please get in touch with Heather as each student is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
COST
Tuition for Company is $3,400.00 for the year. This includes weekly classes and all of the production costs for the different shows.
Company members will also be attending the Junior Theatre Festival. The production class for JTF costs $500 and the Festival Registration Fee is $350. Students will be fundraising throughout the year to try and lower the cost for each family. You can choose to pay your JTF fees when you register to allow for more flexible payments options.