At the core of Almond Acres Charter Academy’s mission to grow great kids, is the belief that every student has innate talents. We recognize that some students are strong in math and sciences, others in reading and writing. Some are athletic, while others are gifted musicians. Every student is smart. The only difference is HOW they’re smart.
Since the school began in 2012, we have incorporated the arts into our learning program. We have worked to expand our theatre program for the past couple of years.
We are thrilled to have a drama teacher, who is also our librarian, leading this effort with the oversight of our Program Director, Amy Baker.
A Theatre Experience for Every Age
Early Exposure: K-3 Performances
Our younger students can participate in short, engaging plays (30 minutes or less) that introduce them to imaginative storytelling, movement, and confidence-building. These performances foster early communication and teamwork skills. Past performances have included Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, and Snow White as well as other fairy tales and renderings of favorite picture books.
Building Skills in Grades 4-5
For our older elementary school students, we focus on slightly longer productions that introduce young actors to more complex narratives. Students learn more about stage direction and blocking while developing their memorization skills and stage presence. The 4th and 5th grade productions are now being performed at the Templeton Performing Arts Center and have included productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,Jack and the Beanstalk and
The Wizard of Oz.
Middle School: Taking Center Stage
Once our students reach middle school, they are ready to participate in a full-length production. These productions allow students to shine onstage. Often, attendees comment that they are seeing the students in a whole new light. Some students, who may be quiet and reserved in the classroom, transform when they find themselves in costume under a spotlight.
Our middle schoolers become familiar with the audition process and role preparation, while some help with set design, tech, and stage management.
Like the 4th and 5th grade plays, middle school productions take place in a professional theatre setting at the Templeton Performing Arts Center in front of family, friends, and the community. Our recent middle-school-only productions have included Treasure Island and Wonderland.
Spotlight on Other Drama Programs
Clubs, Field Trips, and Showcases
In addition to our annual productions, Almond Acres has a 3rd Grade Drama Club, 4th/5th Grade Drama Club, and Middle School Drama Club. The drama clubs are mostly student-led and focus on improv games, script writing, student-directed skits, and family get-togethers outside school.
Almond Acres also takes grade-level VAPA field trips while the Drama Club and production students have taken theatre field trips to see plays at SLO Repertory Theatre, PCPA, The Great American Melodrama, Atascadero High School, and Paso Robles High School. Our AACA drama students have had unique opportunities to take theatre tours and attend Q&A sessions with actors, production directors, and artistic directors. Students make connections with other theatre programs in the county that they might also participate in.
This spring, AACA will host its first Drama Showcase. The Drama Showcase will feature student-written and directed scripts. Rehearsals occur during lunchtime Drama Club.
Beyond Almond Acres
In the summer of 2024, we hosted our first annual collaborative theatre production. The camp-style program is open to all students aged 7 to 17 in northern San Luis Obispo County. Students must audition for the play. If they are cast, they participate in a 3-week camp-model rehearsal process to prepare for one weekend of shows. Tickets to the performances are available to the public for purchase! By collaborating with the Templeton Performing Arts Center on a summer theatre intensive, Almond Acres has positioned itself as a community leader in creating a North County youth theatre program accessible to all.
The Benefits of Theatre for Children
At Almond Acres, we know that participation in theatre builds confidence and public speaking skills. Students develop storytelling skills, leaning into their creativity and imagination to think outside the box.
Working with other students onstage improves teamwork and builds responsibility as they learn to rely on their castmates and contribute to a collective goal.
Stepping into the shoes of different character roles allows students to develop empathy as they understand other perspectives. Even academics are enhanced as students strengthen their reading comprehension, memorization, and problem-solving skills.
Your Support Matters
The support and encouragement we receive from our families and community for our theatre program makes all the difference! There’s something special about standing onstage and looking out into the audience and seeing friendly, familiar faces smiling back. We believe the arts have a place in education, and we love being able to celebrate the unique gifts and talents of every student through this channel!
Over the last two years, our annual theater production has looked a little different due to the pandemic and our move to a new school building, but this year we are back and bigger than ever with a show everyone is sure to love! Our middle school drama students are excited to welcome a live audience to our student-led performance of The Lion King, Jr. on Saturday, December 17th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 18th at 2 p.m. at the Paso Robles Youth Arts Center. The shows are open to the public and tickets can be purchased at this link for $10.
Dena Vertrees, this year’s director and producer, as well as an AACA 4th grade teacher, has been working with students and volunteers to make this year’s show the best yet. Our talented cast of 4th-8th grade students have been hard at work, spending countless hours both during and after school to prepare for the production. These productions are unique because we allow a lot of freedom for the students to help create the play: from acting to curtains and even working backstage to move the sets, the students learn valuable skills like teamwork, patience and responsibility.
The synergy that is born out of the students’ creative collaboration is always appreciated by the audience and the effects of their hard work are lasting. Take it from the students in past performances, like Madagascar, our theater productions grow great kids:
I like to pretend to be someone I am not, and I like that I can put a lot of my emotion into something. I can go on a whole journey with my character. My biggest highlight of the show was spending time with the whole cast because I made stronger relationships with some people and the cast was awesome!
Divy Emmons, who starred as Marty the Zebra in the 2020 performance of Madagascar.
As always, our efforts are made better by the volunteers who contribute their time and expertise. This year Shiloh Hamon is the lead costume designer, Geoff Higgins is the lead set designer and Wendy Woodard and Ashley Lundy have choreographed the show. They are joined by cast member parents who support the production in all areas. Every member of the design department is a volunteer and helps support the students to create a visually stunning and enjoyable performance.
You won’t want to miss this one! Bring your children, the grandparents and neighbors to this year’s production of The Lion King Jr. on December 17th & 18th. The costumes, action and sets are sure to delight all ages!
About AACA
Almond Acres Charter Academy is a public, tuition-free K-8 school that employs credentialed teachers and administers state-mandated testing to provide families in northern SLO County an additional choice in public education. Located in Paso Robles in a newly built, state-of-the-art facility, AACA is open to all students from all communities. AACA’s mission is to help students succeed academically and socially by educating the whole child: heart, mind, body and soul. We grow great kids!
Lights. Camera. Action! The pandemic didn’t stop our annual talent show or theatre efforts.
Instead of our annual theatre production, our eighth graders filmed a movie. We were thrilled to work with Paso Robles Youth Arts Center and are grateful for their partnership during COVID restrictions to make this movie happen. Our movie is called, “ Precisely the Right Price” and with a small donation, anyone can watch it. Download your copy today!
We love it when we get to work with local businesses, organizations, and individuals to support our youth and community. A special thanks to the talented Claire Fundaro who wrote and directed the show and the creative Ryan Flores for making magic with tech and lights! Our students are so fortunate to learn from both of these talented and generous humans.
Also, we’d like to give a shout-out to Eileen Higgins and Amy Baker for believing that the arts belong in school and helping make this production happen.
“Almond Acres offers a unique opportunity for its students through the process of production. The lessons that are taught in theatre will impact all aspects of these students’ lives. They’re given the chance to grow their confidence from auditioning, to rehearsing in front of their peers, and to the final product which creates a strong character within them. The process is invaluable, and I’m so grateful to be a part of the magic that only theatre can create.”
~Claire Fundaro
Almond Acres’ Got Talent!
Over 30 submissions this year! Our students submitted a two-minute video showcasing their talents. Once all the videos were submitted, we released them for viewing and commenting. Many classes had a “Talent Show Viewing Party”! Our AACA students have so many talents: from singing and dancing, to horseback riding and crafting!
Every child is unique. At Almond Acres tuition-free public charter school, we serve grades K-8 and we educate the whole child: heart, mind, body, and soul. Our focus on meaningful educational experiences within our community embraces service and project-based learning. We also emphasize character development and strong citizenship standards alongside our robust curriculum. We are enrolling now. We grow great kids!
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