The Academy of Performing Arts is comprised of two divisions, Dance and Drama, providing students a wide array of academic options that include college preparatory, honors, and concurrent college/high school classes.
This program prepares students for post-secondary education and/or entry to careers in the performing arts.
Students at GCIT have the opportunity to participate in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts, in addition to a variety of other Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).
Additionally, students in the Academy of Performing Arts have been recognized and awarded with the Governor’s Awards in Arts Education, National Thespian Awards, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award, and the National Honor Society Dance Arts Award for Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement.
The Dance curriculum is heavily centered on the technical training of the student in ballet, modern and jazz. In addition to developing a strong technical base, students will explore the use of improvisation as a means for creating original movement. In their senior year, students will choreograph and produce an entire original dance concert.
In addition to studying with our professional faculty, the dance students have the opportunity to mentor under an extensive array of national figures in dance, music and visual arts through the guest artist program.
Our goal is to develop well-rounded students who are capable of interacting successfully within a variety of disciplines in the professional dance world. Entrance into the program is highly competitive.
Where are our dance students now?
- Ailey/Fordham University Program
- American Musical & Dramatic Academy
- Boston Conservatory
- CalArts
- Eleone Dance Theatre
- George Mason University
- Goucher College
- The Hartt School
- Koresh Dance
- Marymount Manhattan College
- Montclair State University
- Orlando Ballet
- Phildanco D/2 Apprentice Company
- Point Park University
- Princeton Ballet School
- Rowan University
- Rutgers University
- Stockton University
- The School of Pennsylvania Ballet
- The University of the Arts
- University of Arizona
- University of South Florida
- Many students also dance professionally in dance companies, theme parks, and cruise ships and can be seen on local and national stages and film.