SPARC - Youth Performing Arts

SPARC - Youth Performing Arts Where creative expression flourishes, meaningful connections are built, & individuality thrives. Setting the stage to help kids shine their brightest! Character.

Confidence. Creativity. SPARC is committed to improving the lives of young people in the Richmond region through high-quality, culturally relevant, and innovative performing arts programming. We light their SPARC.

Build new skills with just one class a week! SPARC's signature Training Classes help students advance their skills in ac...
09/04/2026

Build new skills with just one class a week! SPARC's signature Training Classes help students advance their skills in acting, dancing, improvising, and singing.

Not sure how to choose between musical theater, acting and improv, or comedy classes for your performer? Contact us, and we’ll be glad to help you find a class that’s the right fit!


PC:
1, 2, 4: Carolyn Minor
3. Courtney Thompson
5. Michelle Goodwynn

Image Description: A carousel from SPARC training classes that has white text reads "Building blocks for success: acting...singing...dancing. Training classes for every level!"

This summer was a big one! We are so proud of the more than 700 amazing young people who participated in camps, shows, a...
09/02/2026

This summer was a big one! We are so proud of the more than 700 amazing young people who participated in camps, shows, and backstage experiences this season.

We’re also especially grateful to our amazing faculty, teaching artists, and student support teammates who helped make this summer so special.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in our summer programs! See you again this fall.


PC:
1, 4, 9 - Michelle Goodwyn
2, 5, 7, 8 - Chuck Rudisill
3. Destiny Martinez
6. Carolyn Minor
10. Laine Wagner


Image Description:
A carousel of stills from our many summer offerings covering ages 4to 18.

Today is the last day to help us close the gap toward SPARC's fundraising goal for this fiscal year. Any dollar amount m...
08/31/2026

Today is the last day to help us close the gap toward SPARC's fundraising goal for this fiscal year. Any dollar amount makes a difference!

Participation in “Cinderella” this summer was offered tuition-free thanks to the generosity of our supporters including the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.

Give today and help us meet our goal.
https://sparcrichmond.org/donate/

PC: Chuck Rudisill

Image Description: An image of the cast and crew of SPARC’s Summer Musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "Cinderella”

Bravo to all the SPARC students who performed in August Adventure camps this summer! These amazing campers learned an e...
08/28/2026

Bravo to all the SPARC students who performed in August Adventure camps this summer!

These amazing campers learned an entire musical in two weeks: “The Aristocats KIDS” or “Newsies JR”! The process was packed with twists, turns, tumbling, and show-stopping talent! We are so proud of all the work these performers did over the course of these two weeks.

We can't wait to see what they can do next!

PC: Chuck Rudisill

Image Description: A carousel from SPARC’s August Adventure "Newsies Junior" and August Adventure Junior "Aristocats Kids" performances this season, with students in their orange "Aristocats Kids" or red "Newsies Junior" shirts.

Our new fall workshops for middle and high schoolers specialize in skills that make them stand out! Impress at your nex...
08/27/2026

Our new fall workshops for middle and high schoolers specialize in skills that make them stand out!

Impress at your next audition with these 3 workshops designed to add skills to your performance toolbox.

Intro to Tap
Auditon Prep
Scene Study

Learn more info and register at sparcrichmond.org!

PC:
1, 2. Ivy and Lace
3. Tom Topinka
4. Michelle Goodwyn
5. Chuck Ridisill

Image Description: A carousel of images of students performing with white text that reads "Skills built to stand out! From Audition Prep, to Intro to Tap, and Scene Study! Be ready for centerstage!”

There is still time! As summer comes to a close, we are counting on YOU to help reach our fundraising goal before our fi...
08/26/2026

There is still time! As summer comes to a close, we are counting on YOU to help reach our fundraising goal before our fiscal year ends on August 31. SPARC is committed to increasing the number of scholarships provided in the upcoming year, but our efforts would not be possible without the generosity of this community.

Participation in SPARC’s two summer shows, “Camp Rock” and “Cinderella”, was offered tuition-free thanks to the generosity of our supporters, including the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.

Use the link below to support our annual fund today: https://sparcrichmond.org/donate/

PC: Chuck Rudisill
Image Description: A carousel of images from SPARC’s SummerStarz performance of Disney’s “Camp Rock”

There are so many hats to wear in theatre! Which one fits you? This fall, SPARC is offering classes that span multiple d...
08/24/2026

There are so many hats to wear in theatre! Which one fits you?

This fall, SPARC is offering classes that span multiple departments in theatre.

Our Fractured Fairytales series teaches story structure, character development, acting, and writing to create an original scripted performance at the end of the session based on students’ ideas!

Design & Drama combines technical theatre, devising, and performing into a realized spectacle, with class levels for 1st through 8th grades.

Our NEW Scene Study class dives into directing and acting, through a strong focus on script analysis. This is perfect for students wanting to strengthen character development skills and dip their toes into the world of directing.

Help your theater-lover find their space at sparcrichmond.org.

PC:
1, 2 - Amy Almond
2, 3, 5 – Carolyn Minor
3. Tom Topinka


Image Description: A carousel from SPARC training classes that has white text reads "Find where your talents shine! Are you a designer? A writer? A Director? An Actor? SPARC has the class for you.”

SPARC is excited to offer technical theatre and “maker” classes for students in 1st grade and all the way up to high sch...
08/20/2026

SPARC is excited to offer technical theatre and “maker” classes for students in 1st grade and all the way up to high school!

We now offer 3 levels of Design & Drama, a class that combines hands-on crafting with acting lessons.
Design & Drama Jr. for 1st & 2nd graders
Design & Drama Explorations for 3rd – 5th graders
Design & Drama Studio for 6th – 8th graders

PLUS, an all NEW technical theatre class:
StageCraft Foundations class for 4th – 7th graders.
This is perfect for students wanting to learn about all technical departments: lighting, sound, props, costumes, scenic design, and painting.


Find these classes and more at sparcrichmond.org!

PC:
1. Amy Almond
2. Liz Earnest
3,4,5, Carolyn Minor
6. Courtney Thompson

Image Description: A carousel from SPARC training classes that has white text reads "Take design skills to the stage! with StageCraft Foundations for 4th to 7th graders...PLUS, 3 levels of Design & Drama! For those actors who craft...and designers who act! Build new worlds onstage and off!"

School schedules are BUSY! This fall, SPARC is offering a host of non-audition performance classes so students can shine...
08/19/2026

School schedules are BUSY! This fall, SPARC is offering a host of non-audition performance classes so students can shine onstage without making a more detailed commitment. Check out these options for middle and high schoolers.

SPARC Radio Players combines foley sound design, pulling wardrobe pieces, and developing voice acting skills to present Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Explore the characters and relationships from “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani in our Scene Study class for directors and actors.

Create an original play or musical in Spectrum’s LGBTQ+ youth ensemble and learn the basics of storytelling, performance, production, and playwriting.

With classes offered on weeknights and Saturdays, we have a class for every schedule! Find more information at sparcrichmond.org.

PC:
1, 3, Tom Topinka
2. Carolyn Minor
4. Tom Jakob
5. Chuck Rudisill

Image Description:
Image Description: A carousel from SPARC student performances that has white text reading "Shine onstage this semester! Try Radio Players...or Scene Study...or Spectrum! Take your space in the spotlight!"

A young person's love of storytelling can soar to new heights when they play out characters' journeys themselves! With o...
08/18/2026

A young person's love of storytelling can soar to new heights when they play out characters' journeys themselves! With our musical theatre Showstoppers series, students can visit Oz, turn a stuffed rabbit real, or learn how to train their dragon. Showstoppers is offered for three age groups: 1st & 2nd graders; 3rd to 5th graders; and 6th to 8th graders.

Classes begin the week of September 14! Find details about Showstoppers and other after-school and weekend classes at https://sparcrichmond.org/classes-and-camps/

PC:
1. Chuck Rudisill
2.Destiny Martinez
3, 4, 5: Carolyn Minor

Image Description: A carousel of images from different student performances featuring favorite children's characters such as the Wicked Witch, Shrek, snake puppets, and various other animals with text reading "Book a trip to a magical world from training dragons to the Land of Oz and talking stuffies! Plan your adventure today!"

Address

2106 N Hamilton Street
Richmond, VA
23230

Telephone

+18043533393

Website

, , ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when SPARC - Youth Performing Arts posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to SPARC - Youth Performing Arts:

Shortcuts

Share

Category