Mission Statement:
The mission of the Community Alliance for the Performing Arts (CAPA) is to set the stage for youth to succeed by fostering the growth and diversity of performing arts on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Vision Statement:
We envision a culturally and economically enriched community with ample opportunities for participation in and enjoyment of the arts.

What does CAPA do?
CAPA is modeled on "Williamstown", a most prestigious and enormously successful summer long performing arts festival in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, which brings together working professionals in the performing arts field to present live theater, concerts, and other performances. Equally important, Williamstown provides a comprehensive program of theatre study for aspiring actors and other theater artists, as well as workshops for young people who wish to study theater and serve as interns with the professionals.

Since its founding in 1999, CAPA has produced such shows as Cole Porter's High Society and Anything Goes, Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, and Much Ado About Nothing and The Gin Game among others. CAPA offers an annual "Improvisation Competition", original works and musical performances as well, ranging from gospel to Broadway. CAPA's theatrical productions not only bring quality entertainment to our community, but also help support SummerFame, CAPA's summer performing arts program for young people in grades K-12.

What is SummerFame?
SummerFame is a two-week intensive program for kids in the performing arts. Students not only learn acting, singing and dancing, but various other aspects of theatre arts including lighting, sound design, costume design, script-writing, acting on camera, recording studio technique and more.

SummerFame is significantly different from most theatre offerings for children in the area in that our approach is designed to expose the student to the arts with the perspective and experience of the working professional. Many of SummerFame's instructors are industry professionals from New York, Hollywood and other theatre centers, and bring with them a wealth of experience from years of work in television, film, dance, on the stage and in the music business. SummerFame gives kids a chance to get a peek at life in the arts beyond the limited scope of their participation in school plays.

Why are performing arts programs so important for kids?
Statistics show that young people who participate in the arts have a much greater success rate in school and in life. In addition, CAPA's educational programs for young people incorporate theater skills in addressing real-life issues faced by children at risk, such as bullying and violent behavior and help develop strategies for dealing with these situations. Theatre work also develops empathy and teamwork skills, and improves self-confidence. The President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities says that:

  1. Children with arts learning experiences ".earned higher grades and scored better on standardized tests than those with little or no involvement in the arts."
  2. "Students consistently involved in music and theatre show higher levels of success in mathematics and reading."
  3. "The arts instill 'foundation skills' needed for employment like reasoning, making decisions, thinking creatively, solving problems and visualizing."
How do CAPA's programs impact our community? Investments in the arts in Maryland's Mid-Shore offer economic, social and educational benefits to people of all ages. Over the past decade, an active and vibrant "arts sector" in the Mid-Shore economy has been attracting an increasing number of visitors, new residents and new arts-oriented businesses to our communities. New arts organizations have emerged during this time, including community theatre companies and performing arts coalitions like CAPA, that add depth and breadth to Mid-Shore social resources.

Taken together, activities and organizations like those just described create an upward spiral of economic, social and educational benefits for the Mid-Shore community. For example, performing arts in the region draw visitors who spend money in theaters, art galleries, shops, hotels and restaurants. This creates more demand for performing arts, which offer social activities for those involved in productions, including children and youth. Such activities are central to a civil society in which kids learn to create rather than destroy, a society that attracts more economic development. As well, performing arts programs like SummerFame offer children and youth a benefit they usually do not find in an ordinary classroom: instead of just knowledge about things, knowledge of who they are and what they can do. This helps kids grow into better adults, parents and citizens.

How can I get involved?
CAPA welcomes involvement from the community, and there are many ways in which you can help. Volunteers are needed for our theatrical productions throughout the year. From advertising and marketing to lighting, set design or database management, there is ample opportunity for your participation. For volunteer information, please visit www.CAPAArts.com, and follow the "Volunteer" link.

CAPA's financial need is great. Even with many hours and goods generously donated, theatrical programs are costly to mount, and financial support is needed from local businesses, individuals and state and county arts councils. More importantly, we need your support in order to grow and improve our SummerFame programs. Teachers, housing, field trips, workshops, production costs and theatre rental costs are constantly on the rise. And it is essential that our SummerFame programs remain available to all children, regardless of their ability to pay, by offering scholarships to kids in need.

You may donate to CAPA by visiting our website at www.CAPAArts.com , and following the "Donate" link. CAPA is a 501 C3 organization, and all donations to CAPA are 100% percent tax deductible.