Noah Scott, founding creative director of Metropolitan Performing Arts Academy, can’t wait for fall classes to begin Sept. 10.
Since its inception three years ago, MPAA has been holding classes at Alki Middle School.
“Learning to dance in a cafeteria without a dance barre and mirrors isn’t optimal,” Scott said.
Now the academy’s classes for its 130 students will be at MPAA’s new space inside the former Schell School of Dance in Hazel Dell. The academy has leased the entire building and has completed renovations that transformed the dance studio into a full musical theater academy with a vocal room, three dance studios, pianos in every room and even a homework area.
Scott noted that students often spend multiple hours at the academy. “They need a place to put their stuff. Do their homework.”
“We’re continuing Marlene’s legacy,” he said, referring to longtime dance instructor Marlene Schell, who will serve as a mentor to the students. Next year, MPAA will produce “42nd Street” and dedicate it to Schell.
MPAA’s open house is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at its new space, 905 N.E. 68th St. in Hazel Dell.
The next production is “Annie: The Musical.” Performances are 7 p.m. Oct. 5 and 12, and 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 6 and 13 at the Washburn Performing Arts Center, 1201 39th St., Washougal. Tickets are $12 to $15. For details or to purchase tickets online visit http://www.metropaa.org.
— Susan Parrish
Show tunes on tap from singing friends
Vocal harmony and a love for Broadway-inspired musicals led friends Courtney Clark and Sarah Wilson to stage “Women of Broadway,” a musical revue of songs from favorites “Wicked,” “Footloose,” “Next to Normal” and more.
Both women are classically trained singers who participated in local musical theater, Wilson on stage and Clark behind the curtain. Their desire to sing together sparked the tribute to characters of favorite Broadway shows.
“Her specialty is understanding characters. I’m a vocal nerd,” said Clark, 22.
For Wilson, 24, the draw of musical theater is that it’s unlike any other performing medium. “The reason characters break out into song is because they can’t express themselves any other way. That’s pretty magical, to be in a different kind of world that we’re in, where they can’t contain it. They have to sing about it.”
The performance will introduce new stories and contemporary characters.
“Each song is part of a bigger story,” Clark said. “Some characters are going through really hard stuff. Most of the women have been oppressed in some way. Many of the songs are about longing for freedom or happiness.”
Clark and Wilson will provide a mix of duets and solos tied together with choreography and costumes.
“It all falls under the umbrella of celebrating women of Broadway — the ingénues, heroines, larger-than-life villains, quirky characters, main leads and the friendships,” Wilson said.
Catch Wilson and Clark in “Women of Broadway,” accompanied by James Pick, from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Faith Baptist Church, 11208 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave. The performance is free, donations are encouraged. For details, call 360-931-4351.
— Ashley Swanson
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