About Summer Centerstage

Centerstage was founded in 1969 as a college preparatory program for high-school aged performers. Our first touring show boasted a cast of 19 and toured up the coast of sunny California for 6 days. Through the years we have grown to be respected throughout North America as a leading edge training ground for career- and college bound talent. Our unique system of training has inspired dozens of newspaper and television features. Now in our 30th summer, Centerstage boasts an alumni of over 8,000 students, a production record of nearly 350 shows, and an impressive touring roster of literally hundreds of cities spanning thousands and thousands of miles across north America from our homebase in Phoenix, Arizona.

About Our Students

Centerstage West is designed for young people, ages 9 - 14, and their parents who are seeking a performing arts camp that is a fun and positive educational experience. No audition is required to participate in West.

Centerstage USA and our New York Residency Program are designed for interested, hard-working young actors, singers, and dancers (ages 15 - 21) who are willing to eat, sleep, and breathe show business all summer. These students are selected by audition (in person or on tape) and come from all over the United States and Canada. They must demonstrate talent and potential in one of the areas of acting, singing, or dance. Talent is not the only criteria we use in choosing participants. We are also very interested in students who show an extremely positive attitude and an obvious desire to participate and learn.

Our Staff & National Director

Our summer staff for each group consists of full- and part-time instructors, and several specialists. All of our staff share three important qualities

• Solid, successful experience in their areas of expertise
• A dedication to and love of the performing arts
• A strong, respected record as a performing arts teacher and director

The teaching syllabus is designed by our Centerstage founder and nationally recognized writer director, Michael Lancy. Mr. Lancy has directed over 350 stage, television, and commercial projects, is the published author of 23 musicals and plays, and has the distinction of teaching and writing for the Screen Actors' Guild and AFTRA.

Our Teaching Philosophy

We have a very positive outlook toward each student. We DO NOT believe that acting should be taught in the belligerent and degrading manner used by some schools. We believe that performing is a series of learned skills that can be easily improved through proper instruction and plenty of performance experience. Through our positive approach, students quickly lose fears or inhibitions concerning auditioning and performing--rewards which will follow them through life whether they become professional performers or not! Many professional producers, directors, and casting people who have auditioned and cast our students have called or written to praise us about their relaxed, natural quality, and of their abilities to give intelligent, believable performances. The educational value of the program is high enough to merit some high school districts awarding 1 to 2 full units of credit for participation.

A Word About Safety

Quite frankly, our safety record is the best. In the past three decades there has not been a single incident where a student has left the program or has needed to be sent home because of an injury, home sickness, etc. This is because, while we want our students to have a great time both in workshop and on the road, group safety and discipline is a must, and strict safety rules apply to all.

Financial Assistance

Payment plans for all Centerstage programs are available and fees can be charged on Visa or MasterCard. Many students who are accepted into Centerstage USA and the New York Residency Program can raise all or part of the money necessary to participate by being sponsored by local business, friends, family, and local educational and performing arts scholarships. We will gladly provide any student who is accepted with the necessary tools to seek financial sponsors and scholarships.