Celebrating its 18th year, Summer at the Center has been designed to empower at-risk high school students through active participation in a rigorous two-week program of musical theatre classes conducted by professional artists. This unique, nationally recognized program was founded in conjunction with the late Dr. Maurice Allard, who believed in the power of the performing arts as a critical element to developing self-esteem and building confidence. This extraordinary program continues using the same basic model, achieving its original goals which make a profound and memorable impact on the lives of hundreds of youth in our community.

One of the strongest outcomes of the program continues to be the strong influence the program has had on participants’ lives as well as the fact that the participants have become new peer role models for other students. A school official has observed that a student’s experience at Summer at the Center has provided the motivation to succeed in other subject areas and to graduate from high school.

Summer at the Center has been presented by the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Education Department as an ongoing collaboration between the Orange County Department of Education and its Alternative, Community and Correctional Education Schools and Services (ACCESS) division for the past 17 years. As part of this five-unit high school fine arts course, students receive instruction and coaching in vocal training, dance, improvisation, audition techniques and stagecraft, with a special emphasis on how these presentation skills translate into success in life outside of the theatre. The program culminates in an amazing performance that reflects the thrill of live performance and the students’ accomplishments as performers/artists.