
About the Program
The Center for the Performing Arts is a four-year course of study which exposes talented and interested students to musical theatre. Students study acting, voice, and dance and have several performance opportunities throughout the course of the year.
Acting:
All Burton CPA Acting Courses are designed primarily to prepare students for the professional world of performing arts. Students will graduate from the program with a basic knowledge of many key acting techniques, various types of prepared performance pieces, and valuable skills that translate to both the stage and to in general. The course descriptions below are by no means all inclusive, and each year of study (9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade) will allow for more progressive study of performance techniques and methods and a more in-depth understanding of acting as a whole.
CPA 1&2 (9th-10th Grade):
- Course Description: Acting for CPA 1&2 students will focus on the exploration and development of personal awareness and storytelling, based on the study and practice of commonly used acting techniques and tools available to actors. Subject matter may include but is not limited to: physical, vocal, and intellectual acting techniques, as well as the understanding and performance of monologues and scenes.
- Course Objectives: CPA 1&2 Acting Students will:
- Learn and practice the foundations of acting and theatre
- Develop ensemble and cooperative skills to enable work in a professional setting
- Understand and express personal awareness and comfort through storytelling
- Establish an informed vocabulary to critically use and assess acting techniques
- Apply the study of techniques to the presentation of scenes and monologues
CPA 3&4 (11th-12th Grade):
- Course Description: Acting for CPA 3&4 students focuses on the continued exploration and development of personal awareness and storytelling, based on the study and practice of commonly used acting techniques and tools available to actors, as well as the pre-professional preparation required for auditions and video submissions to colleges and professional companies. Subject matter may include but is not limited to: physical, vocal, and intellectual acting techniques, as well as the understanding and performance of monologues and scenes.
- Course Objectives: CPA 3&4 Acting Students will:
- Continue to build upon the foundations of acting techniques and practices
- Hone ensemble and individual skills and techniques to prepare for work in a professional setting
- Further understand and express personal awareness and comfort through storytelling
- Establish and expand an informed vocabulary to critically use and assess acting techniques
- Apply the study of techniques to the presentation of scenes and monologues
- Prepare audition and professional materials for submission (including resumes and video auditions
- Continue to build upon the foundations of acting techniques and practices
Dance:
- 9th Grade - Modern Dance, Ballet, Jazz, and Tap. Students are introduced to different genres presented in a cultural and historical context while learning the vocabulary, principles, and basic elements of each style.
- 10th Grade - Students build upon the basic technical facility and kinesthetic body awareness, and refine fundamental skills that will allow students greater exposure to performance opportunities. Students will work to attain greater levels of technical proficiency in all areas of dance.
- 11th Grade - Emphasis will be to develop the total dancer by integrating each student's physical, analytical, and creative growth. Students will observe and discuss their own and each other's work in the process of developing their own particular artistic vision.
- 12th grade - Students will culminate the training of the total dancer by integrating technique, perception, artistic interpretation, and cultural/historical analysis. Students attain greater awareness in control of their bodies, a keener ability to "read" Performances, stronger interpretive skills, and the understanding of dance as creative expression and cultural/historical context.
Voice:
- 9th Grade - Students begin development of essential skills in solo and ensemble singing, vocal production, music literacy and expression.
- 10th Grade - Students continue to develop skills in vocal technique and reading music in greater depth and complexity.
- 11th Grade - Students begin applying their increased level of singing skills to prepare for auditions and career opportunities.
- 12th grade students will play an active part in the performance or planning of a musical production, emphasis is on directing and advanced singing. In conjunction with this experience, students will prepare a portfolio, resume, and prepared vocal selections to audition for future careers in the performing arts
Goals and Objectives:
- To provide in-depth training in musical theatre(acting, voice, and dance);
- To offer knowledge of artistic skills necessary for successful careers in the performing arts;
- To provide instruction by professional faculty and artists-in-residence;
- To provide opportunities for students to be showcased in the community.
Application Process:
Will include but may not be limited to:
- Rising 9th, 10th, or 11th grade students who demonstrate a commitment to a career in the Performing Arts may audition.
- Completing an application that outlines previous training as well as academic and professional goals and aptitude.
- Submitting an optional portfolio
- An audition
- An interview
Instructors

Victoria Buck
vbuck@rcps.us
Started at Burton in 2022
Entered the field in 2014
M.F.A. & M. Litt. in Shakespeare & Performance
B.A in Theatre Arts
S.A.F.D. Certification in Broadsword
Director of Education at Mill Mountain Theatre

Kelli Manor
kmanor@rcps.us
Started at BCAT in 2014
Entered the field in 1987
M.Ed. Dance Education
BFA Dance Performance
B.A. Broadcasting

Patricia Clevenger
pclevenger@rcps.us
Started at BCAT in 2020
Entered the field in 1993
M.A. Music Education
B.A. Music
Adjunct Voice Professor - Roanoke College
Career Pathways |
Dancer Actor Sound Engineer Dance Captain Producer
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Singer Choreographer Director Stage Manager Lighting Designer
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Additional Application Information
The Center for Performing Arts is a specialty center that has additional requirements as part of the application process. For more information about this program's specific application requirements, please visit the Specialty Centers page of the RCPS website: /Domain/1484