imagine…
Imagine attending a public high school in the heart of downtown St. Paul, unlike any other in the country. Learn the skills and techniques to become a professional artist from current working artists. Receive a college conservatory level arts education under the guidance of current professional artists. Prepare for college academically in on-level, advanced or AP classes.
A private school experience at a public school price.
No audition. No tuition.
I had an amazing experience at this arts school! From the moment I walked through the door, I felt inspired by the creativity and talent all around me. The faculty and staff were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, always pushing me to be my best and never giving up on me. Not only did I develop my artistic skills in ways I never imagined, but I also made lasting friendships with fellow students who share my passion for the arts. The resources and opportunities available at this school are unparalleled, and I feel so grateful to have been a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. I would highly recommend this arts school to anyone looking to grow their talents and discover their potential as an artist.
An important part of SPCPA’s purpose is to connect the students and the school to the Twin Cities professional arts community in a number of ways.
Need more?
At SPCPA, students don’t just take theater classes—they train in a true conservatory model.
Much like collegiate programs at schools such as Juilliard, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, UofMN, our theatre department is built around four distinct strands: Acting, Movement/Dance, Voice & Speech/Singing, and Theatre Studies. Each strand offers focused, rigorous training that allows students to dive deeply into their craft.
This semester in Kenzi Allen’s Theatre Studies, our sophomore students are exploring the world of the Avant-Garde—examining artists who have challenged and reshaped what theatre can be. For their midterm, students are either performing scenes from Samuel Beckett or creating original work inspired by his style.
It’s not every high school experience where students encounter—and embody—the work of a playwright like Beckett. But at SPCPA, this kind of deep, conservatory-level engagement is the norm.
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Four choreographers. One stage. Three weeks of bold, focused creation.
This J-Term, SPCPA dance artists brought four original works to life at the Barbara Barker Center for Dance at the University of Minnesota.
Featuring choreography by Alex Eady, Helen Hatch, Davente Gilreath, and Herb Johnson & Mia Johnson, this short video captures just a glimpse of the rigor, artistry, and collaboration that defined the process.
Many thanks to Eli Ljung for the footage and to Scott Stafford for shaping this footage into a window on the work.
Take a minute. This is what young artists can do.
#SPCPA #DanceEducation #spcpajterm #StudentArtists #TwinCitiesArts #barbarabarkercenter #uofmndanceprogram … See MoreSee Less
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Who says vocabulary tests have to be boring? In English class, students swapped the traditional paper test for short skits using their vocab words. The results were fun and hilarious! Learning the meaning of words is one thing, bringing them to life is another. 🎭🤣📚
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Perks of attending a downtown high school #1: Parades go by your front door during open lunch!
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Snow Day, Monday!
See you all Tuesday.
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SPCPA Student Spotlight!
Congratulations to SPCPA student Addie Piekarski, who will be appearing in The Girl Who Drank the Moon at Stages Theatre Company!
This beautiful stage adaptation of the beloved novel opens March 27 and runs through April 19, and it’s directed by former SPCPA teacher Nora Montañez Patterson.
We love seeing our students working with outstanding youth theater companies across the Twin Cities, and Stages Theatre Company has long been a wonderful creative home for many young performers. If you’re looking for a magical family theater experience this spring, consider supporting Addie and the entire cast!
More info & tickets: www.stagestheatre.org/the-girl-who-drank-the-moon
Break a leg, Addie!
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SPCPA alum Alexander Hille (Class of 2007) returned to campus yesterday to lead a contemporary dance master class with our 9th and 10th grade dancers.
Students explored partner work and improvisation while combining classical, modern, and ballet lines with fluid movement. Alex reminded everyone in the room that you can be serious about the work and still have fun in the dance space.
After SPCPA, Alexander went on to earn his BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School and has enjoyed a successful career. It was a joy to welcome back a graduate from nearly 20 years ago and see him sharing his artistry with the next generation of SPCPA dancers!
Thank you for spending time with our students, Alex.
@alexander_hille_
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A glimpse inside Studio 2 a couple weeks ago as our dancers rehearsed for the upcoming Senior Dance Concert.
This piece is being choreographed by senior Sasha Aminking as part of the Dance Department’s senior capstone projects. Each year, SPCPA senior dance majors create original choreography that is performed by 11th and 12th grade dancers from the department, offering students the opportunity to collaborate, create, and perform together.
This year’s Senior Dance Concert will take place at Red Eye Theater in early May with two performances.
More information about tickets coming soon — stay tuned!
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This past Friday, Music from Earth, a music ensemble of 7 vocalists and 2 percussionist presented an eclectic program of songs from around the world for SPCPA students! Inspiration behind this was: 𝗪𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫? In 1977, NASA sent the Voyager Golden Record into space, a golden disc filled with Earth’s music, languages, and heartbeat. No orchestra. No electric guitars. Just voices and drums, the most universal instruments on Earth.
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