Arts Academy

From engaging Family Friendly entertainment, to curriculum-based School Day Performances from around the world, to nurturing, skill-based Performing Arts Camps, to innovative Classes and Workshops, the WHBPAC remains committed to providing young people with opportunities to fall in love with the arts and discover the joy of live performance and its capacity to build community. Our goal is to ignite the creative spirit in young people, spark a love of learning, and reinforce important life skills through the arts.

What We Offer

WHBPAC began offering youth-centered performances when it first opened its doors, and the continued growth of this program has transformed WHBPAC into one of the premier performing arts education providers in the region. Today, in addition to thriving School Day Bus-in performances, the WHBPAC provides a wide variety of year-round performing arts opportunities. In one year, over 600 students will participate in after school classes, summer camps—or both! We are a thriving year round academy for the arts, producing our own full-length productions for all ages!

Children's Classes

From our youngest storytellers to our aspiring stars, each children’s program encourages creativity, confidence, and collaboration through acting, singing, dancing, and art. All programs culminate in a final performance for family and friends on the WHBPAC stage.

• Little Players: Little Players is a fun, one-hour introductory class to theater and the performing arts for Grades K-2. Through singing, dancing, and acting, your little player will build confidence, creativity, and teamwork in an energetic, supportive environment with a final showcase at the end of the session. This class is perfect for budding performers and encourages self expression while laying the foundation for stage skills.
• Young Ensemble Theatre Troupe: The Young Ensemble Theatre Troupe is a welcoming program for young student performers, Grades 3-6 of all experience levels. This class meets once a week and culminates in a production at the end of the semester with costumes, sets, and Broadway level lights and sound. Students get to go through the entire process of theatrical auditioning, being cast, rehearsing and finally shining on stage with confidence from building skills and other insights.
• Teen Theatre Troupe: Teen Troupe is an exciting performance-based class where students in Grades 7–12 rehearse and perform a full-length musical. From auditions to opening night, participants gain hands-on experience in acting, singing, and dancing from our talented teaching artists while building confidence, life skills, and theatrical sensibilities through the performing arts. This dynamic program is perfect for teens with a passion for the stage as well as theatre amateurs.  

Camps

• Little Players: In a week filled with song, dance, and imagination, our youngest performers ages 5 & 6 discover the magic of the stage through the wonderful world of Disney and other playful themes while building confidence and shining in a special showcase for family and friends.
• Musical Theatre Camps: In just five days, kids ages 6 - 14 transform into a full-fledged theatre troupe—acting, learning, and laughing their way from first rehearsal singing and dancing to costumes, sets, and their final curtain bow with plenty of fun and special events in between.
• Tween Theatre Camps: In these one-of-a-kind theatre camp weeks, tweens ages 9 - 12 take center stage in original ensemble plays and mini-musicals, building acting skills, teamwork, and confidence using their own creativity and ideas as the blueprint.
• Camp Broadway: Broadway dreams come to life as campers ages 10 - 17 train with theatre pros, Broadway Bootcamp style, master show-stopping production numbers, playful scenes and experience the magic firsthand with a trip to see a Broadway show in NYC.

Youth Performances

Most classes, camps and workshops end with a performance or showcase by our young performers, highlighting lessons learned throughout the semester. These are open to the public.

Famiy friendly performances such as our School Day series are also open to the public.

Adult Classes

• UpBeat: Upbeat is an inclusive class for differently abled young adults to express themselves through music and movement. Each week, students build confidence, creativity, and connection as they prepare to shine on stage. This judgment-free space celebrates every individual's unique talents and encourages everyone to be their authentic self.
• Ballet Barre: This all-levels Adult Ballet Barre class welcomes everyone! You'll build strength, flexibility, and graceful movement through classic barre exercises in a supportive, inclusive environment. Our experienced instructor, Leisa Taylor offers guidance and modifications so you can progress at your own pace. No prior ballet experience is needed!
• Songwriting Workshop: Singer-Songwriting class is a creative space for musicians and writers of all levels to explore songwriting, develop original material, and share their voice. Through guided exercises, collaboration, and feedback, participants refine lyrics and melodies. Whether you're a seasoned songwriter or just getting started, this class supports your artistic growth in a supportive, inspiring environment.
• Tappy Hour: Tappy Hour is the perfect class for adults who love tap dance or would like to try something new! Spend an hour each week learning tap technique and combinations while sipping on bubbly and building community.
• Melodies & Memories: Memories and Melodies is a heartfelt program designed for adults 65 and better to explore their life experiences through music and storytelling. Through song and personal reflections, participants build meaningful connections and celebrate their individual journeys. It’s a joyful, supportive space where memories come to life and community grows through every note and story.

Why Performing Arts for Youth

Here at the WHBPAC, we believe that children must have exposure to live performances and other artistic disciplines in order to be truly prepared for the future they face. The children we are raising now will inherit a world that we can only imagine. We can best prepare them for the new opportunities and challenges ahead by giving them the skills they need to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers. Numerous studies have indicated that training in the arts helps children think more creatively and integrate learning across disciplinary and situational lines. When you bring the arts into children’s lives, you give them new ways to see the world, you nurture their imaginations, and you teach them to value creativity as an intrinsic part of life. As audience members, children can discover the magic and the transformative powers of the arts; as participants, they can learn skills and awaken their talents in a place where teamwork, self-esteem, problem-solving and creativity are encouraged and developed. Every child should have the opportunity to learn and grow through the arts!

Mission

To empower, engage, and educate youth and adults through high-quality, transformative performing arts and storytelling experiences.

To cultivate creative expression, empathy, and confidence in all students – regardless of socioeconomic background, race, gender, or sexual identity. To build a nurturing and strong community within the WHBPAC walls and beyond.

Vision

To create better artists and better humans through the power of the performing arts.

Values

• Accessibility
• Community
• Engagement
• Excellence
• Fun

Important Academy Policies

We are thrilled your student will be joining us. Help us maintain the high quality camps, classes, and programs by reading through the following Arts Academy policies with your student.

Casting Policy

Auditions are hard! Here at WHBPAC, we admire our students so much for being willing to put themselves out there and demonstrating courage way beyond their years. We also know that our casting decisions have the potential to disappoint some of our students. While there is much to be gained from dancing in the ensemble or singing in the chorus – the PAC Arts Academy distinguishes itself from other performing arts institutions by making sure that every child shines on stage.

Please remember that all casting decisions are made by professional teaching artists who are educated at the Master’s level and have been working in their respective fields for many years. While they are committed to putting on the best production possible, their priority is to cast each child in a role best suited for them. Please respect our directors’ decisions.

There are no refunds for reasons including but not limited to: casting decisions, changes in Covid-19/Global health protocol, dismissal due to behavior or other happenstance, or subsequent personal preference.

Here’s what we take into consideration when we cast:

• Preparation for the audition
• The child’s age AND experience
• Growth potential
• Capacity for specific roles
• Behavior and attitude in previous programs (if we have worked with the child before)

This is an Arts Academy – NOT a professional producing company. What’s most important to us is that as many children have opportunity as possible. If a child has a large part in one production, it is not guaranteed they will have a large part in the next.

With all of this in mind – below are some casting guidelines.

What We Will Do:

• Provide feedback to student inquiries about the audition. The response will include kind and constructive critique and specific advice about where to most effectively direct efforts for improvement.
• Help describe what goes into casting a show. Casting is a challenging and complicated process, involving multiple variables.
• Give parents advice for managing disappointment.
• Encourage ongoing training with us, which comes through continued participation in our programs.
• Encourage participants to watch and learn from older, more experienced students.
• Cap our enrollment numbers appropriately so that all students will shine.

What We Won’t Do:

• Reconsider a casting decision. Once a casting decision has been made, it is final. The casting team will not offer explanations for, entertain complaints about, or discuss in any way the decisions that have been made, with anyone.
• Discuss other students’ roles with parents or guardians.
• Stand for negative discussion about casting with students and other parents. Chances are, if you model positivity in regard to casting, your child will be positive about their role as well.

Thank you so much for being part of our “theatre family,” and we look forward to a wildly successful season of performing arts with your children!

Student Conduct Policy

I understand that my conduct must show respect for the directors, the accompanist, technical staff, Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC) staff and my fellow actors.

I promise to rehearse diligently, learn all required lines, songs and dances and perform to the best of my ability regardless of the size of the part that I am assigned.

I understand that I may not leave the area in which I am working without the permission of the person in charge.

I understand that there are staff members working in offices at The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center during the course of this program and I promise not to disturb them with loud noise in the halls or while moving from one activity to another in the building.

I promise to be responsible for my belongings and respect the belongings of others. I promise to leave class and rehearsal areas clean, neat and to dispose of all trash properly. In addition, I promise not to harm or destroy the building or property of The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. I understand if I break this promise, my parents will be liable for the payment of damages and I may be dismissed from the program with no refund of tuition.

I understand that The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is a professional theatre and during the course of the program and production, I promise to learn and abide by the rules of theatre for conduct on stage and backstage.