Junior Academy for The Performing Arts

Curtains up! Discover the magic of theater this season with JAPA

Since 2016, The Junior Academy of the Performing Arts (JAPA) has provided semi-professional level performing arts experiences for youth and teens in Prince George’s County and the Greater Washington, DC area. JAPA introduces theater to students who have a talent and curiosity for the performing arts and strengthens the knowledge and skill level of students already interested in performance. Students discover the magic of theater through the process of auditioning, rehearsing, and performing a Broadway-style musical theater production presented on the stages at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland. 

JAPA presents a fall and spring musical production and offers summer camps for ages 8 to 12. The program rehearses at the Prince George’s County Suite at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.   

Junior Academy of Performing Arts

The Junior Academy of Performing Arts has an exciting opportunity coming up in the spring with musical theatre for kids on Saturday mornings. All sessions will be held at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The Spring 2023 production was JAPA Presents: Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Stay tuned for more information about the next JAPA production.

Additional Information

For additional details and questions, please email Shaiday Dancy at shaiday.dancy@pgparks.com