FSPA to Host Series of Open Houses Next Month

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold a series of Open Houses for prospective students and families at both the downtown Franklin and Hudson locations. Open Houses in Franklin will take place on Saturday, September 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 38 Main Street. In Hudson, Open Houses will be held in the historic Odd Fellows Building, at 14 Main Street, from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, Tuesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 12. The community is invited to tour the studios and classrooms, speak with faculty and staff and learn about FSPA programs in music, dance and drama. Students are also encouraged to try a complimentary class.

With a distinguished faculty of Boston-area artists, an expansive roster of classes and an extensive calendar of wide-ranging performance opportunities, FSPA serves students of all ages and levels, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study.

FSPA's Music Department offers private voice and instrumental instruction, group voice classes, and chamber music, jazz and percussion ensembles. Performing opportunities for singers include the FSPA Glee Club, studio voice recitals, opera scenes, acoustic coffee houses and musical theater showcases. FSPA's innovative Little Music School teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano and offers creative and engaging general music classes for children ages 1-5.

The Dance Department provides programs for all ages and levels in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop and lyrical, and also features classes for boys, adults and beginner teens. Expanded dance offerings include Character Dance, Horton Technique and Dance for Musical Theater. Performance opportunities include two dance companies, the interdisciplinary Project Dance program and the Ballet Conservatory Repertoire Series. Many FSPA dancers are also cast, by audition, in Franklin Performing Arts Company's annual holiday production of The Nutcracker, with professional, live orchestra and special guest artists.

For drama students, FSPA offers an extensive range of classes in acting and musical theater for all ages, beginning with kindergarten children. Classes explore theater games, improvisation and scene work and build performance skills. Ensemble opportunities include Obstreperous Rep for actors in grades 8-12, as well as musical theater troupes for students in grades 5-12, with annual performance trips to Walt Disney World for select ensembles. Many FSPA students perform in Franklin Performing Arts Company's annual season of shows.

Fall classes begin on September 9 and registration for all programs is ongoing. For more information or to request a course catalogue, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fspaonline.com.