VAPA update

The Summer Arts Expanded Learning Program hosted hundreds of students for instruction in Art, Music, Dance, and Theater in a month-long course at Desmond Middle School. The final day featured Dance, Music, and Puppetry performances, as well as an art exhibit. Many participants took the opportunity to learn a new skill, while others dove deeper into current studies. Students also enjoyed once-in-a-lifetime off-campus activities like a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, and several Broadway plays in San Francisco.
The Madera Theatre Project concluded its inaugural season at Torres High School and featured students acting and working side-by-side with professionals. “Beauty and the Beast” sold out every performance and “Harvest Moon” playwright, José Cruz González honored us by attending a performance and sharing his professional journey and stories that inspired his work in a post-show talk-back session. “All My Sons” closed the season and was reviewed as one of the best arts experiences in the central valley.
Interest in our music programs is at an all-time high, with more students participating in a Band, Choir, Orchestra, Guitar, and Mariachi than ever in our history. In early November High School Marching Bands were joined on the field by their incoming Middle School students, to perform together at the MUSD Band Night. To expand students’ opportunities to practice and perform, the Madera Community Band began rehearsing and will premiere their first concert in the Winter.
High School Theatre Departments collaborated to present a unified six-show season (maderatickets.com). Torres Theatre Company’s “A Christmas Carol,” closed out the Fall half of the season, and each high school continues their performance work by presenting children’s plays to elementary and middle school students. While students got a sneak peek of the Children’s Productions, a public performance will be available for the community in the spring.