Jefferson State Community College – St. Clair Campus and The Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts (CEPA) are embarking on a powerful new partnership in 2017 that will change the landscape of performing arts education in the area.
The program, called SPOTLIGHT, will boast a primary mission – to create and foster new theater education programs incorporating all of St. Clair County. Through partnerships with the Pell City and St. Clair County School Systems, residents will soon see a wide array of new opportunities take the stage.
“Leaders in our collegiate system are ecstatic about this announcement,” said Dr. Nicholas Kin, Associate Dean at Jefferson State’s Pell City Campus. “We firmly believe that theater and other arts education programs are vital to a student’s cultural development, which better prepares them for leadership roles in today’s society.”
SPOTLIGHT’s mission will focus on developing a home base for those locally seeking drama and technical theater education. The program’s goals for 2017 are equally ambitious. But with the support of the area’s burgeoning arts community, all involved feel there will be ample room for growth.
“CEPA’s Board of Directors has always sought to grow arts education programs in St. Clair County,” Executive Director Jeff Thompson says. “Now, thanks to our new relationship with Jefferson State, we are confident that the SPOTLIGHT program can accomplish that and more. It will make a tremendous impact on the lives of local residents from day one.”
SPOTLIGHT will launch this January in conjunction with the schools’ spring semesters. A program coordinator has already been selected, and the community can expect an announcement of a SPOTLIGHT Spring Production in the coming weeks that will include tentative audition, rehearsal and performance dates.
For more information or if you are interested in starting a SPOTLIGHT club in your school or community, visit www.pellcitycepa.com. You may also contact The CEPA Executive Director, Jeff Thompson, at (205) 338-1974 or email him at [email protected].
SPOTLIGHT – MISSION
• To create a positive, instructional and nurturing environment for those of all ages who wish to participate in any facet of stage production.
• To offer new paths for furthering education, primarily by providing high school students with access to collegiate courses in areas that are not currently available.
• To provide the community with a greater presence of cultural and performing arts.
• To participate in economic development for our area by offering a social and entertainment complement to the growing industrial and residential sectors.
SPOTLIGHT – 2017 OBJECTIVES
• Produce three plays with three performances each (nine performances total).
• Hold one children’s drama camp and one adult/young adult drama workshop, approximately two weeks each during the summer.
• Hold one adult acting or improvisational class per year or, depending upon demand, per semester..
• Enroll 25 St. Clair County high school students in dual enrollment theater classes.
