BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) — Theatre West Virginia recently kicked off its 2025 Spring Academy, which will culminate in a June 1st production.
The eight-week session introduces students to various theatrical disciplines, including acting, musical theater, dance, prop design, and stage makeup.
It provides grades 3-12 a taste of what it’s like to be a part of a professional theater company and gain valuable life skills.
“We’re excited this year to bring it back and create new opportunities, especially in aspects of technical theater, to give kids well-rounded access every way they might participate, not just on stage,” said Academy Coordinator Mariah Plante.
According to Plante, meeting the kids at this step of their artistic journey is a privilege she takes seriously.
“It’s a joy to get to watch kids discover that if they learn to use their voice effectively and communicate ideas, their emotions are powerful tools to convince people to change hearts and minds and make people feel things,” she said.
“When you see that light bulb go off above the head of a teenager for the first time, it’s groundbreaking.”
