imagine…
Imagine attending a public high school in the heart of downtown St. Paul, unlike any other in the country. Learn the skills and techniques to become a professional artist from current working artists. Receive a college conservatory level arts education under the guidance of current professional artists. Prepare for college academically in on-level, advanced or AP classes.
A private school experience at a public school price.
No audition. No tuition.
I had an amazing experience at this arts school! From the moment I walked through the door, I felt inspired by the creativity and talent all around me. The faculty and staff were incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, always pushing me to be my best and never giving up on me. Not only did I develop my artistic skills in ways I never imagined, but I also made lasting friendships with fellow students who share my passion for the arts. The resources and opportunities available at this school are unparalleled, and I feel so grateful to have been a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community. I would highly recommend this arts school to anyone looking to grow their talents and discover their potential as an artist.
An important part of SPCPA’s purpose is to connect the students and the school to the Twin Cities professional arts community in a number of ways.
Need more?
SPCPA Alumni Spotlight
We’re excited to celebrate SPCPA alum Phineas Pope (Class of 2020)!
Since graduating, Phineas earned his Bachelor of Arts from Drake University, where he studied piano. (Fun fact: the photo here captures Phineas doing exactly that during his time at SPCPA!)
If you’ve been listening to MPR and thought you recognized a voice—you’re right. That’s Phineas! He is now a newscaster with Minnesota Public Radio, bringing stories to life across the state.
Take a listen to his latest work on MPR here: www.mprnews.org/people/ppope/1
Congratulations, Phineas!
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SPCPA Alumni Spotlight:
We’re proud to celebrate SPCPA alum Jamie Lien (Class of 2017)! Jamie earned her BFA in Acting from Michigan State University in 2021 and is now based in New York City, continuing her work as a professional actor.
Be sure to check out the newly released trailer for When We Get There—featuring Jamie—right here: www.imdb.com/title/tt14630308/
Current students can see a photo of Jamie in her senior J-Term project, Shipwrecked, on the skyway wall. Congratulations, Jamie! We love seeing our alumni bringing their artistry to life on screen and stage.
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SPCPA Alum Spotlight: Lillian Wenker
Exciting news from SPCPA alum and Yale graduate Lil Wenker—her brand new solo show BOYKING is heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer!
"Be scared. Be very scared. You might hate how much you love him—or love how much you hate him. He’ll be taking names and causing terror daily at Pleasance Bunker."
Lil is a Gaulier-trained clown and performer whose work blends bold physical comedy with sharp, subversive storytelling. Her breakout show BANGTAIL—a wildly inventive clown western about identity and masculinity—has toured internationally and built a devoted following.
Now, she’s back with BOYKING, pushing her work even further on one of the world’s biggest stages. And if you haven’t seen it yet—BANGTAIL just dropped on Patreon (March 31).
Watch it here: www.patreon.com/posts/lil-wenker-153941281?
We couldn’t be more proud to see SPCPA artists making bold, original work across the globe.
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At SPCPA, students don’t just take theater classes—they train in a true conservatory model.
Much like collegiate programs at schools such as Juilliard, Carnegie Mellon, NYU, UofMN, our theatre department is built around four distinct strands: Acting, Movement/Dance, Voice & Speech/Singing, and Theatre Studies. Each strand offers focused, rigorous training that allows students to dive deeply into their craft.
This semester in Kenzi Allen’s Theatre Studies, our sophomore students are exploring the world of the Avant-Garde—examining artists who have challenged and reshaped what theatre can be. For their midterm, students are either performing scenes from Samuel Beckett or creating original work inspired by his style.
It’s not every high school experience where students encounter—and embody—the work of a playwright like Beckett. But at SPCPA, this kind of deep, conservatory-level engagement is the norm.
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Four choreographers. One stage. Three weeks of bold, focused creation.
This J-Term, SPCPA dance artists brought four original works to life at the Barbara Barker Center for Dance at the University of Minnesota.
Featuring choreography by Alex Eady, Helen Hatch, Davente Gilreath, and Herb Johnson & Mia Johnson, this short video captures just a glimpse of the rigor, artistry, and collaboration that defined the process.
Many thanks to Eli Ljung for the footage and to Scott Stafford for shaping this footage into a window on the work.
Take a minute. This is what young artists can do.
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Who says vocabulary tests have to be boring? In English class, students swapped the traditional paper test for short skits using their vocab words. The results were fun and hilarious! Learning the meaning of words is one thing, bringing them to life is another. 🎭🤣📚
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Perks of attending a downtown high school #1: Parades go by your front door during open lunch!
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Snow Day, Monday!
See you all Tuesday.
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SPCPA Student Spotlight!
Congratulations to SPCPA student Addie Piekarski, who will be appearing in The Girl Who Drank the Moon at Stages Theatre Company!
This beautiful stage adaptation of the beloved novel opens March 27 and runs through April 19, and it’s directed by former SPCPA teacher Nora Montañez Patterson.
We love seeing our students working with outstanding youth theater companies across the Twin Cities, and Stages Theatre Company has long been a wonderful creative home for many young performers. If you’re looking for a magical family theater experience this spring, consider supporting Addie and the entire cast!
More info & tickets: www.stagestheatre.org/the-girl-who-drank-the-moon
Break a leg, Addie!
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