Developed by student leadership

Village Theatre’s Summer Performance Intensive (SPI) is a one-of-a-kind, cabaret-style performance that gives back to the community by offering free shows throughout the summer.  

The impact of SPI extends far beyond the stage. For many participants and their families, the program becomes a transformative experience that inspires personal growth and creates lasting memories. Recently, a parent of an SPI student reached out to share how the program has positively influenced her family, offering a powerful reminder of why this work matters.  

“Here are the reasons my family feels Summer Performance Intensive is the most important opportunity you provide KIDSTAGE students and our community:  

1. Performance Art is, and forever will be, about the audience. Our audience is our community, and art is meant to be accessible. Providing our children the opportunity to learn firsthand how impactful the art they are making can be is priceless. This program has the children invite the community to feel part of the music they are making.
2. Across all of your programming, Summer Performance Intensive is the only program where children are taught to sing and dance simultaneously. Ten of them!!! Back to back!! It is incredible how quickly they improve with daily practice. 
3. Our society, unfortunately, judges this generation of young people very harshly. They are called inattentive, ungrateful, spoiled. SPI shows a group of beautiful children ages 11-18 met by communities who are not flinching – who are smiling and so happy to see them.  

Theatres are meant to be inclusive for anyone who wants to be a part of them. SPI fills this gap.  There is so much opportunity and potential for our community and our theatre with this type of programming.”  

Watching these young artists grow throughout the SPI reminds us why this work matters. It is a testament to the power of arts education to bring people together, foster creativity, and build confidence both on and off the stage.  

As this summer comes to a close, we celebrate not only the performances we’ve seen on stage, but also the growth, friendships, and memories created along the way. We can’t wait to see where these talented young artists go next, and we are honored to be part of their journey.   

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