Elevating Education Through Artistic Expression

The Performing Arts Academy (PAA) provides dance, music production, videography/photography, and acting programs to middle and high school youth in Central Indiana. The program components include weekly classes, academic support, and an infusion of Black History. In order to succeed academically, our youth need to be “empowered,” and a huge empowerment gap exists with underrepresented youth. PAA utilizes the performing arts to connect passion and purpose, all with the goal of improving academics and helping youth realize their greater possibilities.

Registration is Now Open!

HIP HOP DANCE

Translate your passion for the history and culture of hip hop to dance.

Get comfortable with choreography and understand the basics of hip hop grooves, movement, and footwork. The instructor will teach standard dance techniques including popping, locking, B-boying, krumping, liquids & digits and more with the goal to help students develop their artistic, social, and cultural skills. Classes will take place after school hours or on weekends.

MUSIC PRODUCTION

Get the skills to record and mix songs in a professional studio.

Any music production program can teach the basics, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Students will get the chance to be hands-on with high-tech equipment starting from day one of the program. From beginner to advanced level, we’ll work individually with each student at their pace rather than treating this as a traditional classroom music setting.

Exploring recording studio techniques while boosting the students’ creative potential, the instructor will teach standard music production principles including tempo, keys, song arrangement, recording, vocals, background vocals, post-production, mixing, and more. Classes will take place after school hours or on weekends.

VIDEOGRAPHY / PHOTOGRAPHY

Gain experience in media production.

Students will receive professional hands-on training to build a foundation for a successful future in media production and photography through technology classes and workshops. Areas studied during the student’s time in the program are photography, radio broadcasting, studio operations, broadcast announcing, audio and video editing, language arts, radio commercial production, writing and story structure, TV reporting and news gathering, TV newscast production, and career development.

ACTING

Learn the artistic, technical and business areas of acting.

Students will learn the foundations of acting for the camera and stage, as well as the skills for voiceover, hosting, screenwriting, pitching, auditioning and career management. Each student will leave the program with a headshot, comp card and professional portfolio showcasing a complete range of performances. IBE will also serve as a pipeline for professional acting and modeling and will refer top talent to local and Midwest agencies.