Two experienced professionals are bringing their passion for the arts to the Prescott community with the launch of the Prescott Conservatory of Performing Arts, a program designed to nurture the talents and skills of children in grades six through twelve.
The driving forces behind PCPA are parents and partners Amanda and Jason Koiter. With decades of combined experience in film, television and entertainment, they are working to create a space where young artists can flourish both creatively and personally.
In addition to private lessons, PCPA will offer courses in acting, improvisation, music theory, show choir, musical theatre dance, and more. Says Amanda, “We'll have our acting classes, improv classes, basic leaps and turns for kids who want to be able to do it on stage in a production or musical theatre. Things that would just help kids.” The Koiters will lead instruction in acting and some of the music classes, and are rounding out the instructors with talented locals.
The conservatory’s inaugural sessions begin this winter, with classes and rehearsals being held at the Natural History Institute building on Marina Street. The programs are offered Monday–Thursday afternoons and evenings beginning February 3. Students may enroll for individual classes or the complete curriculum.
With the backing of an impressive board of directors made up of film and television professionals and local theatre enthusiasts, PCPA is currently awaiting 501(c)3 designation. The board president is television and film writer and producer Edward Allen Bernero, best known for his work on Third Watch and the Criminal Minds franchise. Its vice president is Joe Mantegna of Godfather III and Criminal Minds fame. Board Director Rob Kim was recently promoted to co-head the West Coast division of the Buchwald Talent Agency. The board also includes the Koiters and local performing-arts enthusiasts Kristin Glasser and Rye Randa.
Says Amanda, “When we moved here we were amazed, first of all, for such a small town, by how many performing-arts opportunities there were. But we lamented the lack of training opportunities like improv classes, not for adults, but for kids. We wanted to put our daughter in lessons, and there weren't really [any] at the time. It has changed a little in the last year or so, I’d say there are more opportunities, but that was when our vision was brewing that we wanted to offer something like that for the kids that we adore.”
PCPA will open its educational programs in February and already has three productions scheduled.
In April it will hold auditions for its first production, Mean Girls, Jr. Jason says they would like a lot of time between audition and performance. “The longer you spend with your character, the better you get to know it. Know that character, and you’re going to just have a better performance.” Auditions will be open to all young performing artists, not just those enrolled in the programs, and the performances are scheduled for the Studio Theatre on Marina Street.
PCPA enrollment is open, and options and limited scholarships are available to ensure that financial barriers don’t get in the way of aspiring young artists. Local businesses and individuals are invited to support the conservatory through sponsorships and donations.
The Koiters are aware of the current concern in the community about financial responsibility in the nonprofit sector. Says Jason, “It’s important to us that that everything is done very well and on the straight and narrow, nothing going off the rails and keeping our expenses low, but providing a real quality experience at the same time, for the community and the students.”
The faculty and board of PCPA are hitting the ground running. In addition to impressive professional resumes, their passion for what they’re doing and the kids they’re doing it for is unmatched. Their goal is the development of performing artists, helping children achieve whatever their goals may be — to perform locally in community theatre, or move on to professional careers on stage or screen. With the launch of PCPA the Koiters are poised to make an indelible mark on the community, inspiring a new generation of performers and audiences alike.
To learn more about PCPA or enroll, visit theprescottconservatory.org.
