The Arts

Orlando boasts an eclectic variety of cultural events, performance troupes and arts centers. Theater groups, museums and local attractions offer something to suit everyone. For those looking to learn for themselves, there are numerous music and dance schools, as well as art and acting studios that can teach students the skills they need to become true artists. Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s 13th annual The Arts segment offers an up-close look at some of the area’s most popular venues, groups and experienced schools.

Clermont Performing Arts Center

For the upcoming season, Clermont Performing Arts Center has lined up bright stars and brilliant performances, from Broadway to Nashville to the musical streets of Motown. Join them for comedy, drama, plays, musicals, concerts and cabarets — all in your own backyard! Standouts include Roseanne Barr; Tuesdays with Morrie, starring Jamie Farr; On Golden Pond; Menopause the Musical; Chubby Checker and Assisted Living the Musical. Tickets can be purchased online at clermontpac.com or at the box office, located at 3700 S. Highway 27 in Clermont. Box office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1-5 p.m. For more information, call 352-394-4800.

Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance

Elizabeth Parsons School of Dance, located at 116 W. Sixth Ave. in Windermere, is now registering students for its 37th dance season. Under the artistic direction of Elizabeth Parsons and Meredith Bright, the school offers dance instruction for all ages in classical ballet, jazz, tap, modern, acrobatics, lyrical and hip-hop. Classes are limited and begin Aug. 7. In addition, the dance company performs at the annual Evening of Dance at Lake Eola on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. For more information, call 407-876-4604, email epsod.dance@gmail.com or visit www.elizabethparsonsschoolofdance.com.

Orlando Ballet School

Orlando Ballet School is regarded as one of the finest training academies in the world and is the official school of the Orlando Ballet. With three locations in Central Florida, Orlando Ballet School adheres to the American Ballet Theatre National Training curriculum, and its American Ballet Theatre-certified teachers provide disciplined training for dancers of all ages. Orlando Ballet School is now enrolling for fall classes. Locations include the South Campus at 7988 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 204, Orlando, 407-352-9733; Central Campus at 2201 McRae Blvd., Orlando, 407-418-9818; Seminole Campus at 1811 W. State Road 434, Longwood, 407-834-8895; and administration offices at 3751 Maguire Blvd., Suite 111, Orlando. For registration details, visit orlandoballet.org.

Orlando Premier Music Instruction

Orlando Premier Music Instruction is the place to find the highest quality local music lessons for piano, guitar, voice, woodwind, brass, drums, art and more. Its professional, friendly music teachers offer flexible lesson scheduling and lessons that suit your style, ability and personal needs. They also provide after-school music classes in the areas of piano, guitar, dance, vocal expression, musical theater and intro to drama in several locations around the area. OPMI is offering a new program called OPMI MusicFirst. This unique, cutting-edge “mommy & me” style of music curriculum is an affordable, research-based program. For more information, email opmi@opmi-lessons.com or visit www.orlando-premier-music-instruction.com.

Orlando Repertory Theatre

Orlando Repertory Theatre, located at 1001 E. Princeton St. in Orlando, opens its 15th season with Disney’s Newsies The Musical (Sept. 5-Oct. 22). Based on the Disney film and the real-life newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City, the powerless find the courage to challenge the powerful. When publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises the prices of the paper at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies the group to fight back, and the whole world finds out what happens when “the little guys” stand up and seize the day! Tickets for Newsies and all other productions in Orlando REP’s season — starting at $15 — are now on sale at orlandorep.com. For more information, call 407-896-7365.

Theatre South Playhouse

Theatre South Playhouse in The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, 7601 Della Drive, Suite 15, Orlando, is a professional and youth theater company with classes in acting, musical theater and dance for children, teens and adults. Private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, dance and acting are taught by professionals currently working in their field. Youth auditions take place Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 for the theater’s fall musicals. To register for classes, private lessons or to schedule an audition for Annie Kids (K-6th) or Legally Blonde Jr. (6th-12th grade), visit theatresouthplayhouse.org. For more information, call 407-489-4458 or visit www.theatresouthplayhouse.org.

Women in the Arts

Women in the Arts Inc., a local nonprofit organization, is celebrating its 10th anniversary serving the Orlando community in the arts with tuition-free art education programs for all ages and its annual art competition and awards event called Celebrating the Genius of Women. The organization is fueled by passionate supporters of the arts: patrons, donors, partner organizations and business sponsors who support the Women in the Arts mission to invest in the education of the youth and recognize the talent and work of women artists. With their support, Women in the Arts is making a lasting impact on Orlando’s growing culture of art and creativity. For more information, visit www.womeninthearts.org. ♥