Academy for the Arts

On Thursday, May 21, the Fairmont State Board of Governors (BoG) voted to enhance the community theater and music programs, including the programs provided by Academy of the Arts and discontinue the academic programs in theatre and music. These programs had been under review for consecutive years because neither academic program met minimum standards established by the WV Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) for continuation.

Do your children like to act out stories? Do they sit around the table and swap tall-tales?  If so, sign them up for camp. The Frank and Jane Gabor WV Folklife Center is partnering with the Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts for Putting It Together: Building a Show from Local Stories and Lore. This week-long creative day-camp for children in grades 3 to 8 runs June 18 – 22. It features instruction in acting, storytelling, folklore, music, writing, and local history.

The Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts fall term will begin the week of Sept. 5 through Nov. 12.

Course offering include a wide variety of classes for ages 3 to adult in visual art, music, theatre and hip hop dance. Private instruction is available for ages 5 to adult in acting, studio art and music (all instruments including voice). Instruction on select instruments is available at the Gaston Caperton Center in Clarksburg.

Rehearsals are under way for Fairmont State University’s Academy for the Arts Youth Company spring productions. This semester the Academy will be offering two shows for one evening of family fun. Disney’s “Winnie the Pooh Kids,” performed by local kindergarten through fifth graders, and “James and the Giant Peach,” performed by area sixth through 12th graders, take the stage on Wallman Hall from May 19 through May 22.

The City of Fairmont Arts and Humanities Commission presented its 31st annual “Arts in the City” ceremony Sunday.

Held at Central United Methodist Church, the 2016 ceremony rewarded nine artists and humanitarians for their work.

“Obviously our point is to bring recognition to artists and scholars in the local area,” Jack Hussey, commission member, said.

Caroline Maxwell is no stranger to musical theatre. She has been in the Fairmont State University Town & Gown productions of “The Music Man” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” She also played a large role in the FSU Academy for the Arts production of “The King of Little Things.” However, Maxwell’s newest role is her biggest challenge to date.

The Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts announces the cast of its second Youth Company production, “Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.” 

“Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.” will run Nov. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. in the Wallman Hall Theatre on the main campus.

The Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts is offering new hip hop dance classes for students of all ages. Each class runs for eight weeks and meets on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. All classes will meet in Room 314 of Wallman Hall and will begin the week of Sept. 7.

            Following is information on available classes:

A Benefit Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, in Wallman Hall Theatre will support the Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts.

Admission is $5 and will be collected at the Box Office on the fourth floor of Wallman Hall on the FSU main campus. The Box Office opens at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Current Academy students receive free admission. The concert will include community and guest performers.

The Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts Youth Acting Company is hosting auditions for its upcoming production of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.”