ActUp Theater’s Arts Academy (ATAA) is an intensive skill development and learning experience intended to champion creativity and growth. ATAA is designed to help youth and teens build techniques, expand their artistic repertoire, participate in an immersive, transformative experience, all while having a great time! We accomplish this with our Masterclass & Summer Academy.
The Masterclass is a rigorous day of skill-building where we recruit highly accomplished master teaching artists to develop the creativity and talent of each participant.
Our Summer Academy is a 4-week, full-day intensive summer program in July. Summer Academy culminates in a Showcase and a trip the see a Broadway show!
SUMMER 2025
ATAA teamed UP with HAMILTON!
This summer, students explored powerful weekly themes like identity, self-expression, and creativity, learning to trust their voices and challenge expectations. Through social-emotional learning, leadership development, and creative risk-taking, students uncovered more than just stage presence, they uncovered purpose.They also received career-boosting tools like headshots, bios, and resume building workshops, equipping them for success far beyond the theater. These young performers are stepping into their futures with confidence, clarity, and a sense of agency. And, it all came together on stage.
SPRING 2025
Spring 2025 was centered on Once On This Island. ATAA hosted a masterclass that gave students the chance to step into the music, movement, and heart of the show. They worked on ensemble pieces, explored character, and found new ways to tell stories through song and performance. The process brought out their creativity and strengthened their confidence. By the end of the masterclass students were ready to share what they had learned and carry that spirit into the season.
FALL 2024
Fall 2024 focused on preparing our students for the Winter production of Dreamgirls. ATAA hosted a masterclass where participants trained in vocals, acting, and stage presence to capture the spirit of the show. They worked on harmonies, movement, and character development while encouraging one another to push further. The masterclass built both skill and confidence, giving students the tools they needed to bring Dreamgirls to life when it was time to perform.
Summer 2024
In 2024 our Summer Academy took a trip to New York to see Aladdin on Broadway. The students got to take in the music, the costumes, and the energy of the show while experiencing the magic of live theater together. It was a day full of excitement and inspiration that captured what ATAA is all about: creating memories and opening doors through the arts.
SPRING 2024
Spring 2024 was all about getting ready for Grease. ATAA hosted a masterclass that let students dive into the music, choreography, and style of the show. They learned the classic moves, practiced their vocals, and built the confidence to step into their roles. The energy in the room gave a glimpse of the excitement that was waiting in the full production. Students left not only prepared but also inspired to bring their best to the stage.
FALL 2023
Fall 2023 brought something new to ATAA. Instead of our regular Academy, we hosted a masterclass to get students ready for the Winter production of Sister Act. It was all about growth and preparation — working on vocals, movement, and character while building the kind of confidence that shows up on stage. More than practice, it was a chance for students to come together, push themselves, and be part of something bigger. By the end, they weren’t just ready for the show, they were ready to shine.
Summer 2023
Summer Academy 2023 gave our students an unforgettable taste of Broadway with a trip to see Wicked in New York City. From the powerful voices to the incredible staging, the show captured their imaginations and left them buzzing with inspiration. It wasn’t just about watching a performance, it was about showing our young artists what’s possible when creativity and storytelling come alive on stage. That experience carried back into the Academy, fueling their passion for acting, dancing, and singing all summer long.
Summer 2022
Summer Academy 2022 was packed with energy, creativity, and growth. For four weeks, students trained in acting, dancing, and singing with our team of teaching artists, building skills and confidence every step of the way. They worked hard, encouraged each other, and discovered new ways to express their voices through the arts. The summer wrapped up with a trip to New York City where they got to experience Broadway in person, a chance to see the kind of professional theater they had been working toward all month.
Summer Academy 2021 laid the foundation for what ATAA has become today. Students spent the summer learning the fundamentals of theater through acting, dancing, and singing workshops led by our teaching artists. It was a season of building confidence, forming friendships, and discovering the joy of performance. Even without the Broadway trip that later became a tradition, the Academy gave students an unforgettable space to grow their creativity and find their voice on stage.