What is your educational philosophy at Fairmount?

Our mission is to put our collective artistic talents to the service of life-changing educational performing arts programming.

"The theatre, the studio, the gallery - are privileged places. As such the activity there must be embracing of the human spirit. At Fairmount, no child will ever leave a workshop feeling diminished or humiliated. Our mission is to uplift and inspire...”

"I believe knowledge in itself is an end - as is art. Because in both cases, the artist or the student develop an expansiveness of self and a thriving confidence that can affect and change the world...”

"We proactively seek faculty and staff who have a personal commitment to putting their talent at the service of their students. A love for the student's growth is the driving force behind our programming."

Tom Fulton, Executive Director of the Fairmount Center

The Fairmount Performing Arts Camp, headed by Fred Sternfeld, is born of and lives this same mission and philosophy.

Is there free time? Swimming? Do we get to do other camp activities? Are there electives?
For the full day programs there will be a time each day called “flex-time” (for flexible) where students will have a choice of their activity! Some possibilities are swimming, field sports, a hike, free time, dance, charades, martial arts, yoga, Shakespeare, Stage Makeup, Stage Combat or other camp activities! Students cast in FPAC PRESENTS productions may have rehearsal during this period.

I came to FPAC in ’04, ’05, ’06 or ‘07. Do I have to audition?
If you attended the Professional Training Workshop, you don’t have to audition. If you attended the Production Workshop and want to try the Professional Training Workshop, you do have to audition.

I am new to the program. What do I have to do to get in?
• New students to the Professional Training Workshop need to audition and interview.
• New students to the Production Workshop, Creative Arts Workshop and the Adult FPAC Workshop do not need to audition or interview - it is open enrollment. You can register now.

Call the Fairmount Center at 440-338-3171 to schedule your audition and/or interview, or to register (See audition / interview dates below.)

What should I prepare for my audition?
Please prepare either two short contrasting memorized monologues OR one memorized monologue and one memorized song (Please bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided).

Don't let the auditions scare you. Auditions are used primarily to get to know you and to determine your level of training. We do everything possible to make the audition experience a friendly and positive one. Relax... Enjoy!

When are the auditions and interviews being held?
Saturday, January 26, 2008 – 10:00am – 3:00pm @ Mayfield Village Performing Arts Center
Sunday, January 27, 2008 – 1:00pm – 6:00pm @ Fairmount Center
Saturday, March 15, 2008 – 10:00am – 3:00pm @ Mayfield Village Performing Arts Center
Sunday, March 16, 2008 – 1:00pm – 6:00pm @ Fairmount Center
Saturday, May 3, 2008 – 2:00pm – 6:00pm @ Mayfield Village Performing Arts Center
Sunday, May 4, 2008 – 2:00pm – 5:00pm @ Fairmount Center

You can also audition for the Professional Training Workshop by auditioning for either Romeo and Juliet or Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoast. Details below.

When are the auditions being held for Romeo and Juliet and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat??
Saturday, April 19 & Sunday, April 20. More details are at this link.

Do I need to attend the daytime FPAC sessions in order to be able to be in Romeo and Juliet or Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat?
Yes, you do need to attend at least one session of daytime FPAC to be eligible to be in one of these productions.

What if I want to attend but can’t come for the whole session?
Occasionally we allow students to attend for partial sessions. Please contact camp director Fred Sternfeld at 216-496-6087 to discuss your particular situation.

For the full day programs: Should I come for both sessions?
A significant number of our campers choose to come for both sessions. The advantage is you will have more time to learn from great teachers. Each day you build on what you learned the last, so the more time you are at FPAC the more your performance skills grow.

I live far away. Is a carpool possible?
Campers come from as far away as Hudson, Canton, Lorain and Madison so it is possible to arrange satisfactory transportation. You and your parents will have the opportunity to receive a complete roster a week before camp starts to help you arrange your own carpool.

Is there a performance for the Professional Training Workshop?
Parents, friends and invited area college educators and theatre professionals will be invited to observe Scene Study class on the last Friday of each session.

Is there an overnight?
There is one optional overnight per session for the Professional Training Workshop and Production Workshop campers. It will take place on the 1st Friday evening of each session at Deer Lake Camp.

What is your class size?
For the Professional Training Workshop and the Production Workshop, most classes will have 12-16 students. We are committed to keeping the class sizes small to promote individual growth and instruction.

What are your facilities like?
The Chagrin Falls School System offers state of the art classrooms, music, and performance facilities. The classrooms are air-conditioned. We will also be using the new Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Center.

FPAC will be working primariliy out of the Middle-School complex which is coupled with the existing high school. Students will have a large cafeteria in which to eat lunch and baseball and soccer fields for games during recreational sessions. Courtyard areas tie the functional use of the entrances, cafeteria, gymnasium and community room to the outdoors. The brick and stone facade reinforces the architectural theme of the original structures and reflects the integrity of this community. The middle school sports a separate entrance and identity; a shared-use space for the arts and community functions, connecting the two schools.

Do you offer scholarships?
Fairmount Performing Arts Camp offers a limited number of scholarships for students who want to attend, but can’t afford to. To apply for the scholarships, please request a financial aid form by calling Shirley at 440-338-3171. You may also want to contact your school guidance counselor and local community groups. They often have scholarship dollars available for summer programs.

Who is on your staff?
The staff members at FPAC are highly credentialed arts professionals with many years of experience in professional regional theatre, national Broadway tours or resident theatre leadership. All have extensive experience working with children, teens and adults in theatre and/or camp settings. Our staff members are chosen based on their reputation for professional excellence and their love of working with young people. Additionally, we use high school and college students as counselors to assist with the younger campers. See the Fairmount website for complete biographies of the staff: www.fairmountcenter.org

What’s the difference between the Professional Training Workshop, the Production Workshop and the Creative Arts Workshop?
The emphasis of the Professional Training Workshop is on a top notch conservatory approach to acting training. This program brings young people in from all over Northeast Ohio, who want a more intensive experience or aspire to have a career in the theatre. In fact, three of our previous registered camper and staff alumni, Emma Wahl (B’way - Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang), Betsy Hogg (B’way - Fiddler on the Roof, The Crucible, Off-Broadway – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie) and Hannah Delmonte (B’way - Fiddler on the Roof) have appeared in professional productions in New York City recently.

The Production Workshop is a fun, camp-like program that is less intensive. It is for young people who have a more general interest and want to appear in a production at the conclusion of the session. This program is full day.

The Creative Arts Workshop is a fun, camp-like program that is less intensive. It is for young people who have a more general interest and want an experience in all the fine and performing arts, as well as appearing in a production. This program is half day.

Will I like FPAC? How is it different than other performing arts camps?
We thought it best to have you read our parent and student testimionials from our first four seasons rather than answer this one ourselves. You can check them out at this link.