Where Do Your Donations Go?

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Celebrating its 32nd year, Summer at the Center has been designed to empower at-promise high school students through active participation in a rigorous two-week program of musical theater 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 and authentic means 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 is the strong influence it has had on participants' lives. Many participants have become new peer role models for other students. One school official observed a student's experience at Summer at the Center provided the motivation to succeed in other subject areas and go on to graduate high school.  

Summer at the Center has been presented by Segerstrom Center for the Arts' 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 31 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 theater.