About SPARC
Through exceptional performing arts education, SPARC helps youth find their inner light and share it with the world!
SPARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 and is one of the nation’s most comprehensive, community-based youth performing arts education organizations. We provide an atmosphere where creative expression flourishes, meaningful connections are built, and individuality is celebrated.
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We are excited to announce that SPARC alum and teaching artist Ali Thibodeau “Deau Eyes” will be performing at the “Spring into SPARC” soiree on Saturday, April 22.
Deau Eyes is an award-winning singer-songwriter and producer who was recently included on the shortlist of Slingshot’s 2023 NPR Artists to Watch and won the 2023 Newlin Music Prize for her sophomore album Legacies. Thibodeau’s voice is a stylistic chameleon, featured on a plethora of albums from Trey Burnhart Hall and Woody Woodworth’s classic country, to Lucy Dacus and Landon Elliott’s indie-rock, to McKinley Dixon and Ant the Symbol’s R&B and hip-hop. As a SPARC alum, she’s so grateful to have been able to share her passion for performing arts and storytelling as an instructor for both Live Art and Stages programs, choreographer of several productions including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, and as a mentor to young songwriters and voice students from her home studio.
To see the very talented Deau Eyes, purchase your tickets for the soiree today! Tickets can be purchased at https://cbo.io/sparc/liveauctionsoiree.
Image Description: A picture of Ali Thibodeau with a light purple background featuring a few white spotlights. The text reads “Deau Eyes, Ali Thibodeau. Spring into SPARC Soiree & Live Auction Saturday April 22 4-7PM at Bar-ti-zan Tickets on sale.”
We're giving a standing ovation to the youth in our winter Training Classes who experienced their final sharing performances for friends and family last week. Scroll through to see a few moments of celebration from the week, and join us in applauding the learning, bravery, and teamwork that these young folks have achieved!
Image Descriptions:
1. A Musical Theatre for Beginners class sits in a semi-circle, and some youth raise their hands. Their teachers stand with them while an audience watches.
2. A Musical Theatre Prep class poses in a V-shaped formation after completing a song and dance.
3. An Acting and Improv for Beginners class rehearses a magical incantation that brings them out of "drama true" and back to "real true" at SPARC. They use big gestures as they speak.
4. Two youth from an Acting and Improv Prep class stand before an audience as they explain the rules of an improv game. Their classmates sit nearby.
5. Three youth from a Creative Drama class stand before an audience as they practice a slating exercise. Their classmates and teachers are nearby as many smiling family members watch.
6. An Acting and Improv for Beginners class stands in a circle with their teachers in the middle. The teachers smile as they point to the youth and lead an exercise.
7. The Storycraft class rehearses the play they wrote while their teachers observe. The youth hold scripts and one person holds prop suitcases.
8. A Musical Theatre for Beginners class poses for the audience after finishing a song and dance. The back row reaches their hands above their heads while the front row reaches out.
Today, World Down Syndrome Day, and every day we are CELEBRATING our faculty, students, alumni, and friends with Down Syndrome! WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU! Thank you for being an important part of the Richmond community.
Image Description: This image has a blue background with a map of the world that includes a blue and yellow flowy ribbon and the words "March 21 World Down Syndrome Day" in yellow and white lettering.
You’re invited! Join us at our “Spring into SPARC” Soiree on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Bar-ti-zan from 4-7PM.
During the Soiree, you’ll enjoy an evening of SPARCtacular performances, cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, a raffle, and live auction. Funds raised from the 2023 Auction and Soiree will directly support SPARC’s mission!
Space is limited; reserve your spot today! Tickets can be purchased at https://cbo.io/sparc/liveauctionsoiree.
Image Description: The background is a gradient of purple with a green bar of text that reads, "TICKETS ON SALE NOW." There is additional text with details for the Spring Soiree and Auction superimposed on the purple background.
Join us at SPARC Saturday, 3/18 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm as we begin building the set for the Live Art production Outside and Inside. To learn more and sign up to volunteer, head on over to HandsOn: https://www.handsonrva.org/opportunity/a0C5c00000Mqno4EAB/live-art-set-build-day
Image Description: The image contains a background of vibrant paint strokes in hot pinks, purples, blues, oranges, and yellows and the text says, "SPARC Live Art Volunteer Day!"
Spring registration is open, and we're excited to share this overview of our new offerings!
Check out these slides, then find more details through the Classes & Workshops link in our bio.
Image Description: A series of colorful slides share details about SPARC's spring classes and workshops including Pop-Up classes, Broadway Bootcamp, tech theatre workshops, and master classes.
As Women's History Month begins, we want to honor an extraordinary woman from SPARC's history, Jeri Cutler-Voltz. Jeri founded SPARC in 1981 with a vision to train young actors to become “triple threats” accomplished in acting, dancing, and singing. Through Jeri, SPARC established founding principles that are still critical to our work today. While Jeri passed away in 1998, her vision lives on at SPARC and through the artists and young people who knew her. To honor Jeri's memory, the Jeri Cutler-Voltz Memorial Scholarship is awarded each summer to recognize up to three dedicated young artists (rising 8th graders to graduating seniors) who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to SPARC and its values. Awardees receive free tuition for their participation in one SPARC summer program. SPARC is currently accepting nominations for summer 2023. For more information about the scholarship, please visit sparcrichmond.org/scholarships.
Image Description: A yellow scrapbook page with 3 paper frames shaped like stars. Each has a photo of Jeri Cutler-Voltz, smiling at the camera. The words "Celebrating Women's History Month" are on the page.
It's time to spring into SPARC! Mark your calendars for SPARC's third annual auction, happening online Monday, April 17 – Saturday, April 22. And this year, we are excited to invite you to join us for a Spring Soiree on Saturday, April 22 from 4-7PM featuring a live auction and performance! Funds raised from the auction and Spring Soiree will help support SPARC’s very important mission.
More information about the auction and how to purchase tickets to the Spring Soiree will be available soon. We appreciate your support!
Find SPARC at Nutzy's Block Party at The Diamond this Saturday, March 4 from 11AM to 2PM. Visit our table for a chance to win a FREE week of summer camp! We're also bringing giveaways, other prizes, and of course, lots of info about spring classes and summer camps.
See you there!
Image Description: The words "SPARC at the park!" are superimposed over a photo of fans watching a baseball game at The Diamond. It's a cloudy day, and a faint rainbow is seen in the distance.
#Repost @spectrum.rva
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Grab your tickets for the Spectrum Youth Ensemble’s original devised work, Pantheon: Queerness Through The Universe! Tickets are on sale NOW (link in bio). Performances will take place March 10-12 with ASL Interpretation on Friday, March 10. #queeryouththeatre #theatre #vatheatre #richmond #rvatheatre #lgbtqyouth #creativeyouthdevelopment #sparcrichmond
Image Description: a square lavender ombre background with pastel galaxies converging in the center. A pink border surrounds the text “Get Your Tickets for Pantheon: Queerness Through The Universe, March 10 – 12 2023”. A small white SPARC logo is featured in the bottom right corner.
Facebook Posts
We're giving a standing ovation to the youth in our winter Training Classes who experienced their final sharing performances for friends and family last week. Scroll through to see a few moments of celebration from the week, and join us in applauding the learning, bravery, and teamwork that these young folks have achieved!
Image Descriptions:
1. A Musical Theatre for Beginners class sits in a semi-circle, and some youth raise their hands. Their teachers stand with them while an audience watches.
2. A Musical Theatre Prep class poses in a V-shaped formation after completing a song and dance.
3. An Acting and Improv for Beginners class rehearses a magical incantation that brings them out of "drama true" and back to "real true" at SPARC. They use big gestures as they speak.
4. Two youth from an Acting and Improv Prep class stand before an audience as they explain the rules of an improv game. Their classmates sit nearby.
5. Three youth from a Creative Drama class stand before an audience as they practice a slating exercise. Their classmates and teachers are nearby as many smiling family members watch.
6. An Acting and Improv for Beginners class stands in a circle with their teachers in the middle. The teachers smile as they point to the youth and lead an exercise.
7. The Storycraft class rehearses the play they wrote while their teachers observe. The youth hold scripts and one person holds prop suitcases.
8. A Musical Theatre for Beginners class poses for the audience after finishing a song and dance. The back row reaches their hands above their heads while the front row reaches out.
I would like 👍to do some acting 🎭
Today, World Down Syndrome Day, and every day we are CELEBRATING our faculty, students, alumni, and friends with Down Syndrome! WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU! Thank you for being an important part of the Richmond community.
Image Description: This image has a blue background with a map of the world that includes a blue and yellow flowy ribbon and the words "March 21 World Down Syndrome Day" in yellow and white lettering.
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Questions?
Email us at sparc@sparcrichmond.org or call 804.353.3393.
All SPARC programs are made possible, in part, by the generous support of:
