Junior Academy of 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, D.C., 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 eight to twelve. The program rehearses at the Prince George’s County Suite at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

The Junior Academy of the Performing Arts (JAPA) has exciting, year-round performance and training opportunities. We run six- and twelve-week class sessions in the fall and spring and two-week day camp sessions in the summer. All sessions are held at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center within the PG Suite classroom and dance studio, on the campus of the University of Maryland. Check out photos from our past shows below! We have produced a diverse range of musicals, including Cinderella, 101 Dalmatians, Madagascar, High School Musical 1 & 2, Frozen, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, and Annie! Stay tuned for more information about the next JAPA production. Activity codes for our upcoming sessions are listed below:

Please Note: All of our day camps for the 2026 summer camp season are completely filled. Join us this fall for classes! Register online at PGParksDirect.com starting August 12 for Residents, and August 19 for Non-Residents.

Fall Sessions & Activity Codes:

JAPA Musical Production – 23643–502A

Sundays, September 13-December 13, 2026, 10 am-3 pm

Join us for our fall production of the holiday classic, Elf, the Musical! Discover your stellar talent and build self-confidence in this musical-theatre intensive training class. Classes will include instruction in dance, music/singing, and drama/acting. Class will not be held on November 29 due to holiday break. Show date is scheduled for Sunday, December 13!

JAPA Dance Intensive – 23643–502B

Thursdays, October 8-November 12, 6:30-8 pm

This six-week, intensive class is focused solely on building and developing skills while fine-tuning talent within the musical theatre realm of dance. Dance instruction will involve genres ranging from ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, African, and musical theatre to introduce a diverse set of dance training. Open to beginners who have a deep interest in the arts as well as pre-professional youth. Please note that this class will not have a musical production to conclude the session.

JAPA Drama & Acting Intensive – 23643–502C

Tuesdays, October 6-November 10, 6:30-8 pm

This six-week, intensive class is focused solely on building and developing skills while fine-tuning talent within the musical theatre realm of drama and acting. Instruction will revolve around improvisation, script studying skills, stage presence, and character development. Open to beginners who have a deep interest in the arts as well as pre-professional youth. Please note that this class will not have a musical production to conclude the session.

JAPA Vocal Music Intensive – 23643-502D

Mondays, October 5-November 9, 6:30-8 pm

This six-week, intensive class is focused solely on building and developing skills while fine-tuning talent within the musical theatre realm of singing, music, and choral arts. Open to beginners who have a deep interest in the arts as well as pre-professional youth. Please note that this class will not have a musical production to conclude the session.