Franklin School For The Performing Arts To Host Open House

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will host an Open House on Thursday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. The community is invited to tour the facilities, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance and drama. An information session, led by FSPA Director Raye Lynn Mercer, will be held at 7:00 that evening and will highlight the school's programming and performing opportunities.

Prosepctive students are also encouraged to schedule a complimentary trial class and to reserve a free All Access Pass ticket to an FSPA Spring Concert performance, presented on Saturday, May 19 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 20 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at the Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street. Featuring FSPA students of many ages and levels across numerous dance, voice, instrumental, and musical theater disciplines, Spring Concert is presented in an audience-friendly, 90-minute format.

Founded in 1985 by Raye Lynn Mercer, FSPA has been dedicated to the enjoyment of the arts for all ages and to the artistic growth and development of young people. The school offers classes in all dance disciplines, acting, musical theater, voice, and instrumental instruction, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study. FSPA is also home to the Little Music School, an innovative program that teaches children as young as 18 months to play the piano. An extensive calendar of year-round performing opportunities features musicals, plays, ballets, voice and instrumental recitals, opera scenes, musical theater and dance company showcases, and more. Many FSPA students are also cast, by audition, in the affiliated Franklin Performing Arts Company's annual season of shows. FSPA TALENT offers management services for young performers who elect to pursue professional opportunities.

FSPA is also proud to offer FSPA Academy, an academic alternative for students seeking a challenging curriculum in a supportive, flexible environment that encourages their creative goals. Provided Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in partnership with TEC Connections Academy Commonwealth Virtual School (TECCA), the program builds upon TECCA's state-approved online curriculum offering Music Theory, math tutoring, field trips and more. In addition to the Academy, FSPA also offers FSPA AfterSchool, an enrichment program for students in grades K-5, providing supervised recreational experiences, including games, crafts, and other creative arts activities. The program begins at the close of the regular school day, with transportation available from Franklin and Medway schools.

Classes continue at FSPA through June 25 and the summer session runs from July 2 to August 24. Fall classes begin on September 10. Registration is ongoing. Call (508) 528-8668 to reserve a complimentary Spring Concert ticket or shedule a trail class. Call or visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information, including the FSPA catalogue, summer brochure and fall class schedule.