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 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..."

"Knowledge in itself is an end - as is art. Because in both cases, the artist or the students 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."

I came to FPAC's Summer Program previously. Do I have to audition again?
If you attended the Professional Training Workshop "The Core" previously, you don't have to audition again for "The Core" but you DO have to audition and/or interview for the Musical Theatre or Dance Workshop or receive special permission for admittance. If you attended the Production Workshop and want to enroll in 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 do not need to audition or interview - it is open enrollment.
  

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

What should I prepare for my audition for Professional Training Workshop?
For "The Core" please prepare either two short contrasting monologues OR one monologue and one song.

For "Musical Theatre Workshop," please prepare one monologue, one song and a short dance routine approximately one minute in length. For the singing audition, please bring sheet music; an accompanist will be provided. For the dance audition, please bring your own music. A CD player will be provided.

For "Dance Workshop," please prepare a short dance routine approximately one minute in length.

When are the auditions and interviews being held for the Professional Training Workshop?
Saturday, February 4, 2012 – 10:00am – 3:00pm at Mayfield Village Civic Center
Sunday, February 5, 2012 – 1:00 – 5:00pm at Magnificat High School

Saturday, March 24, 2012 - 10:00am – 3:00pm at Mayfield Village Civic Center
Sunday, March 25, 2012 - 1:00 – 5:00pm at Magnificat High School

You can also audition for the Professional Training Workshop by private appointment on other dates OR by auditioning for the FPAC productions in April.

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 to discuss your particular situation.

Should I attend 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 previously so the more time you are at FPAC the more your performance skills grow.

I live far away. Is a carpool possible?
Participants 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 FPAC starts to help you arrange your own carpool.

What is your class size?
For the Professional Training Workshop and the Production Workshop, the instructor:student ratio will be 1:10. We are committed to keeping the class sizes small to promote individual growth and instruction.

Do you offer scholarships? Work / Study? Financial Assistance? Payment plans?
Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory offers options for a limited number of work / study (student or parent) arrangements, scholarships 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 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 master teachers 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, school or conservatory 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 to assist. See this link for complete bios of our staff.

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

To find more information on The Fairmount Center, the summer program and the faculty, go to www.fairmountcenter.org.