Aptitude – First and foremost, we’re looking for artistic aptitude. Students do not have to be highly experienced in all four disciplines; however, an aptitude in multiple disciplines is a fundamental requirement for long-term success in the program. Once again, this is a pre-professional, intensive study of the arts for the serious student. It is a curricular, advanced track program. It is not a series of electives to round out the academic portion of the PALCS education. The online program has a wide range of courses, including music, theatre, studio art, and digital media arts for students who want to enhance their overall education. CPFA is a program for students with the potential to pursue a secondary education and/or career in the arts, whether or not they choose to do so.

Motivation – We are looking for students who want to be here, students who have the drive and the motivation to aggressively pursue this unique arts education. Students are involved in classes and rehearsals from the time they walk through the door in the morning until afternoon dismissal and beyond (for after-school activities and rehearsals).

Participation – CPFA is all about participation, whether or not a particular area is within your comfort zone. Students are actively doing something – acting, singing, dancing, painting – from the time they walk through the door until the time they leave.

Commitment – We are asking an extraordinary commitment from our students. They are participating in an intensive educational arts program that is offered two full days a week (not counting rehearsals and preparation for performances, exhibitions, concerts, etc.). These students are asked to squeeze their academic workload (typically spread over a five-day school week) into three days or less, in order to participate in the CPFA program. It is not uncommon for our students to work on schoolwork into the evening and on weekends. Additionally, since CPFA offers a highly experiential, participatory program, attendance is critical to success. These are highly collaborative art forms! Absenteeism affects not only the individual student but also his or her acting scene partner, vocal or instrumental ensemble, or other group.

Independence and Self-Discipline – All students are expected to develop holistically as artists and as human beings. There is a heavy focus on professionalism, decorum, organization, and self-discipline as students develop themselves as artists. These tools and traits will carry students into successful careers. While class sizes are small and all students receive a great deal of individual attention, students must be able to function independently during extended periods of drawing/painting, sculpting, working with acting scene partners, practicing music in small groups, etc. Students will also be expected to begin to articulate themselves as artists through end-of-year reflections and other means. Students entering the program should have the ability to function maturely (socially, emotionally, and artistically) in a creative, disciplined, and highly collaborative setting.

Academic Success – Students must demonstrate the ability to maintain their core academics in order to be eligible to attend the Center for Performing and Fine Arts. Academic success is key to the overall success of young artists.

Diversity of Interests – CPFA students are expected to engage and participate in multiple disciplines. As students mature and prepare for college auditions, students often narrow their focus, so that by their junior and senior year they are heavily weighted toward one discipline, but even then it is rare for a student to have all four courses exclusively in one area. The most highly sought after applicants are those with a range of artistic interests and abilities. The ability to create a schedule of four diverse classes, based on an applicant’s stated preferences, weighs heavily in the decision.