What is your educational philosophy at the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory?
Our mission is to put our collective artistic talents to the service of life-changing educational performing arts programming for all students who participate in FPAC.

"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 Conservatory, directed by Fred Sternfeld, is born of and lives this same mission and philosophy.

Is there free time? Swimming? Do we get to do other activities besides performing arts? Are there electives?
For participants 4th grade and up enrolled in Production Workshop or Professional Training Workshop – The Core, there will be a time each day called “flex-time” (for flexible) where students will have a choice of their activity! Activities include The 16-Bar Musical Audition, Improvisation, Charades, Martial Arts, Shakespeare, Stage Makeup, Stage Combat and other recreational activities including swimming. Flex Time is not available for those participating in Advanced Training.

I came to the FPAC Summer Program in ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ‘08 and/or '09. Do I have to audition?
If you attended the Professional Training Workshop, you don’t have to audition again for The Core but you do have to audition and/or interview for the Advanced Training. If you attended the Production Workshop or Creative Arts Workshop and want to enroll in the Professional Training Workshop, you do have to audition. Sign up for an audition at this link.

In some cases, teacher, director and/or FPAC Professional Staff recommendations will suffice for automatic acceptance into the program without an interview. Requests for automatic acceptance can be made at this link.

I am new to the program. What do I have to do to get in?
New students to the Professional Training Workshop - The Core need to audition and interview. Call the Fairmount Center at 440-338-3171 or go to this link to schedule your audition and/or interview. New students to the Production Workshop or FPAC Adult Summer Program do not need to audition or interview – it is open enrollment. Please register by downloading this form and returning it to Fairmount Center.

Do you accept only the most talented, or does passion and commitment and a teachable spirit play a part? 
The audition and interview are more about meeting the director and determining where you are at as a performer. It is not a screening process to see if you are "talented enough." The Fairmount training is primarily about potential for growth. We attract and accept a variety of levels and our goal is to help you advance as a creative performer.

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

When are the auditions and interviews being held for Professional Training Workshop – The Core?
You can audition for the Professional Training Workshop by private appointment or by auditioning for the summer productions in April. Call the Fairmount Center at 440-338-3171 or go to this link to schedule your audition and interview.

When are the auditions and interviews being held for Professional Training Workshop – Advanced Training?
Check the descriptions of each program at this link for complete details about auditions and interviews under each individual workshop. In some cases, teacher, director and/or FPAC Professional Staff recommendations will suffice for automatic acceptance into the program without an interview. Requests for automatic acceptance can be made at this link.

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 Artistic Director Fred Sternfeld at 216-496-6087 to discuss your particular situation.

Should I come for more than one session?
Some of our students choose to come for all the 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. And, for “advanced training” it will give you the opportunity to take more than one specialty.

I live far away. Is a carpool possible?
Participants come from as far away as Avon Lake, 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 the FPAC Summer Program 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 for The Core. There will also be presentations for some of the Advanced Training programs – please check the description of each of these programs at this link for more details.

What is your class size?
For the Professional Training Workshop and the Production Workshop, most classes will have 12-14 students. We are committed to keeping the class sizes small to promote individual growth and instruction.

What are your facilities like?
Hathaway Brown School offers wonderful classrooms, music, dance and performance facilities.

Do you offer scholarships? Work / Study? Financial Assistance?
Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory offers options for a limited number of scholarships, work / study (student or parent) and financial assistance for students who want to attend, but can’t afford to. To apply for these programs, please request a form by calling Shirley Kolenic at the Fairmount Center 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 participants. See this link for complete bios of our staff.

Will I like FPAC? How is it different than other performing arts summer programs?
Rather than answer this one ourselves, we invite you to browse our site and read the testimonials from our participants – many who have returned year after year

To find more information on Fairmount Center, the FPAC Summer Program and the many other fine and performing arts programs offered through Fairmount Center for the Arts, please visit www.fairmountcenter.org.