What's happening in JumpStart Theatre?!

MCCA Kicks Off JumpStart Theatre Program in 3 New Local Schools!

Supported by the Educational Theatre Foundation & Mountain City Center for the Arts 

After a three-month selection process, Mountain City Center for the Arts has awarded and named Accident Elementary, Southern Junior High, and Westmar Middle School as the newest schools for the Jumpstart Theatre program 2024/2025 season, The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), in collaboration with New York City-based companies iTheatrics and Music Theatre International (MTI) created JumpStart Theatre, a three-year scalable program designed to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved schools that previously had none. 

The selection process included a formal written application, site visits to the schools, and interviews with administrators and the faculty who would be spearheading the program.  

Jenn Katona, President of the Educational Theatre Foundation and Executive Director of the Educational Theatre Association, says "The JumpStart Theatre program is a transformative initiative that empowers schools to create sustainable theatre programs, fostering creativity, teamwork, and confidence in students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Through Mountain City Center for the Arts, the Educational Theatre Foundation is delighted to provide resources for the teachers and schools needed to ensure every student can experience the magic of theatre. Involving children in JumpStart Theatre programs creates spaces where every student belongs in their school community." Each school will receive services and materials valued at $12,000 in the form of training, mentoring, and production support for a full-scale show for their community. Students will be involved in every aspect of the production, and Mountain City Center for the Arts with the ETF will also host an annual JumpStart Theatre showcase, bringing all the participants together to share their work. “We are thrilled to help establish and build these incredible programs at three amazing schools,” states MCCA CEO and owner Coty Forno. 

The selected schools make a three-year commitment, and teams of three or more teachers from each school will participate in professional development “boot camps” in a variety of areas led by a master teacher in the fall, winter and spring. These workshops will provide training in all areas of musical theatre production, with the goal of empowering the teacher teams to guide the programs independently. 

For questions about the JumpStart Theatre Program and application process, visit https://www.mymcca.com/jumpstarttheatre 

About Mountain City Center for the Arts: 

Mountain City Center for the Arts is an award winning, inclusive performing arts conservatory offering the highest quality art education. Our mission is to motivate compassionate and courageous artists by:

• Committing to excellence in arts education

• Creating a brave and supportive environment

• Cultivating, kindness, diversity, and inclusivity

• Empowering creativity

• Promoting positive self-expression, self-acceptance, and acceptance of others

• Focusing on individual personal growth

• Instilling the values of hard work, perseverance, and resilience

• Guiding artists to fulfill their dreams

About the Educational Theatre Foundation: 

The Educational Theatre Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association, whose shared vision is to build a global community of creative problem solvers, effective collaborators, and empathetic individuals through theatre. ETF advances the field of educational theatre by broadening representation and increasing access for all. Learn how at foundation.schooltheatre.org.