Classes & Workshops

Quick Links: Performing Arts / Productions / Classes & Workshops / Visual Arts Classes / JPAS Social Crew / Private Lessons / JPAS Jr. / Art with Heart

MINDFULNESS

What sets JPAS apart is the
practice of acknowledging and accepting
our own feelings and thoughts to help our
students be in the present moment
and allow them to have a better sense of self.

PERFORMING ARTS SKILLS

Whether it be acting, dance, film, or musical
performance our programs are designed to
teach and challenges our students to
ignite and foster artistic expression
and their individual talents.

LEARN FROM THE BEST IN DFW

We work with the finest in the performing arts
industry from Broadway across the map to DFW.

COMMUNITY-BUILDING

We love expanding our existing program
to help reach more young minds and
quench their thirst for the arts while
empowering children to dig
deep, dive in, and have fun!

LIFE SKILLS

We focus on building our students
self-confidence and consciousness
because we believe inner
strength is a key to growth.

Get the education young actors need to advance their performing arts skills, unleash their inner artist, and land their desired roles. JPAS classes and workshops all begin with meditation and end with an appreciation circle as we fuse mindfulness into the Arts. We have various engaging classes and workshops for children ages 3- 6 (JPAS Jr.) and ages 7-18 (JPAS).

Children will learn from and work with some of the finest industry professionals. Kids and teens, get ready to be in touch with your inner artist, build your confidence, learn skills, and have fun along the way! In addition to the classes below, check out our JPAS Connect page for creative, fun, and binge-worthy activities.

If you want to speak with Alise for a one-on-one consultation, click here.

Discover more

If the JPAS class you are interested in joining has already begun and online registration is no longer available,
please email arobinson@jccdallas.org your request; she would be happy to assist you.

Using theater games and improv as our creative play, our actors will learn the art of drama while improving their imagination, creativity, and social skills.

Ages: K-2 grade
When: Monday’s Sept 23 – – Dec 9
Time: 4:30 – 5:30
Artistic Staff: Micah Clayton
Price: $295 M $368NM

Register

An interactive class using theater games and improv that teaches acting, along with social and confidence building skills! This class is designed to develop quick thinking and acting skills so our students can embrace lead and ensemble roles with knowledge and courage. Perfect for beginners or advanced students!

Ages 8+
When: Tuesday’s Sept 24 – – Dec 10
Time: 4:30 – 5:30
Artistic Staff: Micah Clayton
Price: $295 M $368NM

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The annual Broadway Revue is here! Ms. Kristin and Ms. Skylar are ready to sing, dance, and be dramatic with you. We’ll be taking you through time with selections from Broadway musicals from different ages and decades with a fun twist. We can’t wait to make theatre magic with you! This class will culminate with a showcase for friends and family at the Galleria Mall on December 10^th at 6pm.

- Ages 8+
- Dates: Sundays, Oct 6 – Dec 8 (No class Dec 1)
- Time: 3:30 – 6:00
- Showcase: Galleria Mall Tuesday Dec 10 at 6pm – 5pm Call time
- Artistic Staff: Kristin Spires and Skylar Duvall
- Price: $ 380M $ 475NM

Register

Be ready to embark on a magical journey by transforming a book into a musical! After reading Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric A. Kimmel, together as a group. Participants will organize the book into scenes, write their own songs, and create a script with dialogue. The group then rehearses the show on stage, culminating with a musical to be presented for family and friends by bringing the story to life. The process of creating a stage presentation from scratch encourages self-confidence, personal responsibility, creativity collaboration, and fun for all!

Ages 8+
When: Wednesdays, September 25 – December 11
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 pm
No Class October 2 and November 27
Early Close – Oct 16 and 23- 6pm
Showcase: December 11
Artistic Staff: Skylar Duvall and Billy Lawley
Price: $ 350M $ 438NM

Register

Come “Play” with us! Our Fall straight play will explore comedic and dramatic aspects of the theatre. We will work on character development and storytelling using our authenticity and performing arts skills to entertain, enlighten and engage our audiences. The class will culminate in an end of session performance for family and friends!

- Ages 8+
- Dates: Sundays, Oct 6 – Dec 15
- No Class Dec 1
- Time: 1:30 – 3:30
- Showcase: December 15
- Artistic Staff: Linda Leonard
- Price: $ 320M $ 400NM

Register

Lights, camera, action! If you’ve dreamed of being on a TV show, commercial or in a film, we can help! Actors will use monologues, scenes. commercials and improv to develop on-camera acting techniques so our actors are prepared for any audition. Get filmed and watch playbacks too! Actors will receive a reel of their work. This class will culminate with a showcase for parents premiering our actors’ reels. An agent is slated to attend.

- Ages: 8+
- Dates: Mondays, Oct 7 –December 2
- Time: 4:30 – 6pm
- Showcase: December 2
- Artistic Staff: Linda Leonard
- Price – $ 298M $ 380NM

Register

SKYLAR DUVALL

About Skylar

Skylar Duvall began teaching dance in 2009 and joined the JPAS family in 2017. She is a graduate of KD Conservatory’s Musical Theatre Program and is currently pursuing a degree in education. She is made her directorial debut with Matilda the Musical JR at the JCC in Spring 2023. She is known for her work as a choreographer for High School Musical JR. (2022), Mary Poppins JR. (2022), Into the Woods JR. (2021), Jungle Book JR. (2021), Nunsense the Musical (2021), The Wizard of Oz JR. (2019), 100 Years of Broadway (2019), Shrek JR. (2018), as well as co-directing and choreographing many Broadway Revues for JPAS. In addition, she also performs on a competitive hip hop dance team called Bangerz Dance Co and has participated in many live performances as well as music video projects. Her passion for dance and theatre is matched by her passion to give children the space to grow and discover more about themselves and the world around them

LOGAN BEUTEL

About Logan

Logan Beutel is a senior at Southern Methodist University majoring in Theatre with an emphasis on acting. He is also a ballroom dance instructor at Lone Star Ballroom. Logan is so grateful for the opportunity to return to the J and teach dance to our JPAS family. He is ecstatic to help JPAS performers become the best dancers they can and introduce them to all styles of dance!

LINDA LEONARD

About Linda

Linda Leonard (Performance Director) has directed at the JCC since 2000. She has been a professional director, choreographer, teacher, actor (AEA, SAG/AFTRA), singer, and dancer for over 45 years, here in the Metroplex and NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles, and abroad. Linda was in the Broadway national tour of Cats. Linda has directed or choreographed for WaterTower Theatre, Stage West, Circle Theatre, Echo Theatre, CitiRep, and Theatre Three in Dallas and Fort Worth. Linda was the Education Director for WaterTower Theatre (3 years), is a professor at KD Conservatory, and her credits include award-winning roles such as Ann Richards (Critics Forum and Column Awards) and Aurora in The Kiss of The Spiderwoman (Leon Rabin, Column and Critics Forum Awards). Linda also has numerous credits in film and television, is represented by The Horne Agency in Dallas/LA, and directed a web series about autism, “Saving Hope”, which premiered in March of 2019. Linda is dedicated to the process of creativity, nurturing, and empowering young artists in every aspect of the arts. She resides in Dallas with her talented husband, actor Bill Jenkins. She is grateful to Alise Robinson for all her wonderful work with JPAS.

MEGAN MUSCATO

About Megan

Megan Muscato is so grateful to be back at the J this fall! Her previous JPAS credits include StarQuest 2023: acting specialist; Matilda Jr: stage manager; Mary Poppins Jr: stage manager; and StarQuest 2021: counselor. Megan recently graduated summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Theatre and a minor in Musical Theatre. Alongside working with JPAS, Megan is also the studio manager and dance instructor at Lone Star Ballroom. With a creative spirit and knack for people, Megan cannot wait to teach acting this fall; special th

BILLY LAWLEY

About Billy

Billy Lawley began playing piano at the age of 5 and began singing at the age of 15, after which he continued his classical vocal studies at Southern Methodist University with the Meadows School of the Arts.

Billy previously was employed as an Elementary Music Instructor in the Dallas Independent School District. His accolades as an educator include Teacher of the Year as well as Co-Director of the All City Elementary Honor Choir in Dallas. While in Northern California, he worked with the San Francisco Opera Guild providing music education services in local schools in creating operettas based on either curriculum or challenges faced every day in the students’ communities.

In addition to teaching, Billy has performed in musicals with numerous theaters in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. After relocating to northern California, he enjoyed singing with the San Francisco Opera Chorus during the summer of 2018 as well as the fall of 2019. He also exposed students to the art of opera through the Livermore Valley Opera School Outreach Program and performed with The Bracebridge Dinner at Yosemite during the holiday season of 2019. In addition, Billy played the character of Nobody in Lucinda y Las Flores de la Nochebuena: A Children’s Opera in One Act by Evan Mack and Joshua McGuire with the San Francisco Opera Guild during the 2018 and 2019 holiday seasons. He also enjoyed caroling with The Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers throughout northern California in November and December of each year. He teaches voice and piano lessons from his music studio in Old East Dallas.

Billy has a degree in music therapy and has experience using music to reach children and adults that have individualized needs.

KRISTIN SPIRES

About Kristin

Kristin Spires (Music Director) is a professional music director, actress, singer, and voice teacher in the DFW area. She’s also the teacher for JPAS Jr, Creative Drama, and Musical Storytelling here at the J in addition, Kristin recently music directed our JPAS Spring Production of Mary Poppins JR, Camp StarQuest’s production of High School Musical JR, and Camp StarPower’s original production, Into the Art. In addition, her music directing credits number over 60 shows at theatres, including Circle Theatre, the summer youth camp at Theatre Three, Plaza Theatre, Mainstage Irving Las Colinas, and OhLook Performing Arts. In addition to community and professional theatres, she has worked with several high school theatre programs, including J.J. Pearce HS, Nolan Catholic HS, and Arlington Heights HS. Kristin is also at home on the stage. Favorite roles include Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! and Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Huge thanks to Alise for her incredible belief and support

JEREMY LANDON HAYS

About Jeremy

Jeremy Landon Hays is an actor, singer, writer, director, and producer. His television appearances include a recurring role on “The Oath” (Sony Crackle), “Leverage: Redemption” (IMDb TV), “Bull” (CBS), “FBI” (CBS), “Broad City” (Comedy Central), “The Blacklist” (NBC) “Turn: Washington Spies” (AMC) and the soon to be released Scott Rudin film Compliance for FX starring Mary Louise Parker. Jeremy is also set to appear in a new independent film, Sometime Other Than Now, starring Kate Walsh, Donal Logue, and Amy Hargreaves. Jeremy recently played the role of Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. He made his Broadway debut in the first revival of Les Misérables. He went on to originate the role of Enjolras for the 25th Anniversary production at Paper Mill Playhouse and the subsequent national tour. He performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the Ravinia Festival as a soloist in Play It Again, Marvin, a musical review of the music of Marvin Hamlisch. He toured the U.S. as Rum Tum Tugger in Cats. Regionally he has starred in productions of Into the Woods, Hair, Camelot, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Oklahoma! and West Side Story. Jeremy is proud to have represented Les Misérables on “The 85th Annual Academy Awards” hosted by Seth MacFarlane as well as NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Jeremy is directing a new play bound for off-Broadway, The Hollow, written and performed by John Rapson. The Hollow is a one-man adaptation of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Jeremy is producing a new Broadway play, Paulette, by novelist Mary Adkins (When You Read This). The play is currently in development in New York City. Jeremy has penned the book Everything in the Dim Light, a new Broadway musical developing music and lyrics by The Bones, adapted from the Thomas Hardy novel Far from the Madding Crowd. Jeremy has also written two television pilots. Buried Deep is a modern western drama series set in rural Oklahoma. Take the Black is a comedic, mockumentary series about a down-on-their-luck band of cater waiters who the CIA has recruited.

Jeremy also founded the non-profit, non-partisan organization Broadway Votes which promotes voter registration and political involvement in the Broadway community. @jlandonhays

BRUCE COLEMAN

About Bruce

Bruce R. Coleman is an award winning Theatre Artist making his home in the DFW area. Bruce has worked for many local companies including The Dallas Children’s Theatre, Uptown Players, The Junior Players, Upstart Productions, Our Productions, Kitchen Dog Theatre, Undermain, The Pocket Sandwich Theatre, New Theatre Company, Shakespeare Dallas, Stage West, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park and Main Stage Irving Las Colinas. Bruce has also enjoyed a twenty-year artistic relationship with Theatre Three in Dallas, where he began as an intern. Bruce has been a part of many J Performing Art Space Productions including The Wizard of Oz JR., Alice in Wonderland JR., Into the Woods JR., The Jungle Book Kids, Mary Poppins JR., High School Musical JR, Matilda JR, and The SpongeBob Musical.

LIZZ CARR

About Lizz

Elizabeth Loyle Carr is excited to be working with these great young creators and actors. Elizabeth graduated from The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with a MA in Stage Management. She has worked on productions in California, Wales, Scotland, and England before moving to Dallas four years ago.