Join the Performing Arts Academy (PAA) Summer Program
The Indiana Black Expo Performing Arts Academy (PAA) Summer Program provides youth ages 13–19 with a dynamic experience blending dance, music production, acting, photography, and videography. Students engage in hands-on learning with industry professionals while building confidence, creativity, and leadership skills. The program also includes enrichment sessions focused on personal development, teamwork, and career exposure, along with participation in the Youth Entrepreneurial Series (July 14 &15) and Youth Leadership Summit (July 17-19) during Summer Celebration. The summer experience is enhanced with weekly field trips on Thursdays and Fridays, creating meaningful opportunities for exploration and growth
Join us for an exciting summer experience designed for creativity, leadership, and growth!
- Mandatory Orientation: Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 AM
- Program Dates: Monday–Friday, June 15 – July 23
- Daily Schedule:
- Drop-off: 9:00 AM
- Pick-up: 3:30 PM
This program is completely FREE and includes:
- Meals and snacks provided daily
- Field trips and enrichment activities
- Hands-on learning in: Photography, Videography, Music Production, Acting, and Dance
Student Opportunities:
- Perform during Summer Celebration
- Participate in the Youth Leadership Summit
- Engage in the Youth Entrepreneurship Series
Register for the Summer Camp
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.