A new verse in education

As most of Surf City’s students rush home after the last bell releases them from their classes some kids instead rush to yet another class.

These students are part of the Academy for the Performing Arts, better known as APA, a magnet school connected to Huntington Beach High School that is dedicated to giving high school students an appreciation for the arts.

“It’s not your typical high school,” said Diane Makas-Weber, the artistic director of the academy. The dancing, singing, playing, writing and other art forms that take place in the halls do not make for an ordinary high school experience. Students’ days often last 12 hours or longer, with just enough time for homework and sleep once they finally arrive home.

Ryan Marks, a sophomore musical theater and dance student, said a typical day for him starts at 7 a.m. with academic classes. He goes to dancing or acting classes after school until 4 p.m., then to rehearsals until 9:30, then home for homework and much-needed sleep.

“APA takes so much of their time,” Makas-Weber said. “They learn to organize because they don’t have the luxury not to.”

The school as it exists today was formed in 1996, the same year Makas-Weber was asked to be its director. It was originally created to provide students with an extended elective course list. Because of budgetary reasons, not every school was able to offer a program like the academy’s, and the conservatory classes were opened to students all over Orange County, although most come from the Huntington Beach Union High School District.

What the school has come to be, however, is more than just a series of elective courses. Academy instructors said they are there to cultivate awareness in their students, even if students don’t ultimately pursue a career in the field.

“Our goal here is to create audiences and appreciators,” said Gregg Gilboe, an instructor in the orchestral arts department.

With more than 540 students and 20 different classes, the school has exploded from the 80 students and eight classes it offered in its first year. This year, the school held one audition, with one more on the way, and will have to turn away the majority of students who wish to attend.

With courses including playwriting and directing, commercial music recording, acting and dance, students are able to explore every aspect of an art form.

Annie Sui, a junior in the theater department and a student in Robert Rotenberry’s playwriting and directing class, said the class allows her to dig into other possible careers, although she began the program with acting on the brain.

“It has further spurred my interest ? and has made me think about different careers,” said Sui, who is also involved in writing critiques of her peers’ plays.

Despite the students’ exhausting schedules, most manage to keep their grades in academic studies up to snuff. It is required they keep a 2.0 grade-point average in academic courses, the same standard held by CIF for student athletes, and a 3.0 in arts classes. Most students soar beyond this standard, Makas-Weber said. Sui, who is also a “recreational” piano player, balances her writing and acting with a full schedule of honors and advanced-placement courses.

“The APA kids hang out with each other and share the same passions,” said Britni Currie, a freshman who recently auditioned for the program and is a member of Rotenberry’s class.

“A kid who has no purpose in high school is not going to succeed,” Rotenberry said. “If we don’t ever challenge them, they’ll never get to go somewhere new.”

For more information about the academy and its programs, as well as a schedule of performances, visit www.hbpap.org.hbi.02-itc-CPhotoInfo3R1OGF3T20060302ivgrd7knJAMIE FLANAGAN / HUNTINGTON BEACH INDEPENDENT(LA)Huntington Beach High School APA students Katie Brewster, Kelsy Richardson, and Sarah Sack sing during rehearsal for the musical “Company” on Monday night.