Who We Are
The Studio for the Performing Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to make the arts more accessible. We strive to provide opportunities for the local community to experience dance by putting on full-scale performances with partnering studios, donating performance tickets to other local nonprofits, offering scholarships to dancers at the Albemarle Ballet Theatre and other partnering studios, and hosting a range of free classes and clinics for underserved communities ranging from school programs to assisted living facilities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to offer affordable full-scale, family-friendly performances and performing arts-focused clinics to our local communities, and to provide need-based scholarships to dancers of the Albemarle Ballet Theatre and partnering studios.
Our Philosophy
We believe in the positive and transformative power of the arts and are committed to ensuring the performing arts are accessible to all students and audiences within our reach.
Our History
SFTPA was founded out of necessity nearly 20 years ago. Sally Hart, the owner of the Albemarle Ballet Theatre in Crozet, Virginia, saw a deficit in the community for accessible arts initiatives, and she decided to take action. Please click here to read our full story:
What We Do
Performances
SFTPA has been producing full-scale, professional performances for our local communities since 2005. We work hard to provide the highest quality shows at the lowest cost in our area, and we set aside tickets at each show to donate to local programs dedicated to helping our community members. We also hold several free educational, mini-performances each year at various venues, including local libraries and community festivals. From the students on the stage to the audience members in every seat, we expose people to the transformative power of the arts with our family-friendly performances. Please click here to learn more about the work done behind the scenes:
Step Into The Story is our community-focused mini-series that was created specifically for our youngest audience members. These 30-minute relaxed sensory shows at ABT’s White Box Theater showcase excerpts from our upcoming performances, teach steps from the ballet, share a reading from the ballet, and give the audience a chance to hold real pointe shoes and meet the dancers!
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for students of Albemarle Ballet Theatre and other participating studios. The goal of our scholarship program is to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to study dance in a professional school and lessen the financial burden of classes and training for students without sufficient funding. SFTPA has proudly assisted 120+ dancers with over $40,000 in scholarship awards to date.
Community Outreach
We strive to bring the performing arts to as many people as possible, and much of this work is accomplished through our year-round community outreach initiatives. We host a variety of free clinics for local dancers and athletes at the Albemarle Ballet Theatre that include costume design, injury prevention and recovery, lighting and stage design, nutrition, general sewing, and many more!
Get Involved
Our efforts would not be possible without the support of our community and skilled volunteers for set design, prop building, costuming, lighting design, tech, and so much more.
Volunteer
The Studio for the Performing Arts is always looking for creative, dedicated volunteers. If you are interested in assisting with performances, community clinics, or fundraising, please complete our volunteer application.
VOLUNTEER
Donate
SFTPA gratefully accepts monetary donations of any amount. If you would like to contribute financially, please click below.
SFTPA also accepts in-kind donations related to costumes, sets, props, and staging supplies. If you would like to make a related donation, please email us at info@sftpava.org.
DONATE
Upcoming Events
The Nutcracker
Waynesboro High School Theatre
1200 W Main Street
Waynesboro, VA 22980
December 6th, 2024 @6pm
December 8th, 2024 @2pm
Step Into The Story: The Nutcracker
Albemarle Ballet Theatre, Whitebox Theatre
5798 Three Notch’d Road, Suite 200
Crozet, VA 22932
December 14th, 2024 @3pm and 5pm
December 15th, 2024 @2pm and 4pm
Contact Us
info@sftpava.org
EIN: 54-1770925
