Students Trained as Performers, Technicians, and Managers in the World of the Performing Arts!

The School of Performing Arts offers a four-year program designed to prepare students for continued education and professional careers in the performing arts. Students are exposed to a curriculum that focuses on the development of their artistic and academic potential. To be accepted, students must audition for their area of interest. Majors are offered in dance, theater, instrumental, and music.

Dance: Throughout this four-year program students study ballet, modern, jazz, and tap techniques as well as progress through a comprehensive curriculum studying the fundamentals of dance, dance history, dance composition, choreography, and college and career readiness.
Theater: Studies focus on voice & diction, stage movement, improvisation, monologues & scenes, theater history, television & film, and career preparation. Students will participate in a variety of curriculum- based residencies and workshops taught by highly trained instructors.
Music: Students pick their primary instrument of choice and learn a variety of techniques to assist in rhythmic studies, harmony, and ear training. In addition, they are required to study music history, theory, & performance. Students will participate in music instruction offered by highly trained musicians.
Vocal: This program is designed to help students develop and enhance their vocal talents and abilities. Students will be introduced to theory, history, piano, breathing techniques, as well as vocal performance.

Unique Facilities and Opportunities:

• Students in the dance program will take classes in two state of the art dance studios with full length mirrors, marley sprung floors, and professional sound systems. There is also a separate rehearsal studio and male and female locker rooms.
• A modern, state-of-the-art fully equipped 1,000 seat auditorium – complete with traditional and the latest “digital” equipment for campus productions
• A second, fully equipped “Black Box Theater” production stage, for intimate performances
• A spacious “U-shaped” band room with acoustic shelves and two sound proof practice rooms.
• A wide range of opportunities to perform on campus and throughout the community
• Located close to other performance centers, universities and New York City’s “Broadway” Theater District
  

Performance Opportunities

Dance: All students in the dance program perform in the Dance Ensemble’s Winter Dance Concert and the School of Performing Arts’ Spring Dance Concert. Students are also invited to audition for guest choreographer’s work, the Senior Choreography Showcase, and various assembly programs throughout the year.
Theater: Theater students have the opportunity to participate in curriculum- based productions and one-act plays performed in the Black Box Theater.
Music: Instrumental students perform at the winter and spring concerts, spring musical, and school-wide assembly programs and community events (this includes marching, concert and jazz bands). Students also are adjudicated by a panel of highly qualified musicians, where they have received awards for overall superior ratings.
Vocal: Vocal students have the opportunity to display the skills and techniques that they’ve acquired for the vocal spring concert. Additionally, the vocal students perform at school-wide assembly programs and community events throughout the year.

Organization Affiliations
PCTI is a member of STANJ (The Speech and Theater Association of New Jersey), which promotes excellence in the study and teaching of communication and theater arts. We are also affiliated with MENC (The National Association for Music Education), the NDEO (National Dance Education Organization), NHSDA (National Honor Society of Dance Arts), Dance New Jersey and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. These programs recognize students for their academic and musical achievements.

School-to-Careers Experience
PCTI maintains a very strong and supportive School-to-Careers program, offering 9th, 10th and 11th graders the opportunity to “job shadow,” and 11th & 12th graders the chance to put their skills to work at a paid position in the workplace. Hundreds of students participate. . . and hundreds of business leaders support our efforts by employing our students.

• Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award in 2016
• OUTSTANDING SCENIC ACHIEVEMENT in Man of La Mancha
• Nominated Educational Impact Award
• Speech and Theater Association of New Jersey (STANJ)
• 2016 Governor’s Award
• Best Actress in State
• Best Scene in State
• 2nd Place Best Improvisation Team
• Honorable Mention in Best Monologue

• 2016 Two Student Awards NDEO Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award National Winner
• 2016 Two Governor’s Student Awards for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance
• 2015 Two Student Awards NDEO Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award National Winner
• 2015 Governor’s Student Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance