The Chicago Academy for the Arts
Encyclopedia
The Chicago Academy for the Arts is a private performing and creative arts high school
located the city of Chicago
. It is the only such high school in the state of Illinois
. It has often been called the "Fame" school and compared with New York City's High School of Performing Arts
.
Founded in 1981, it is one of only five high schools in the United States that provides a dedicated arts curriculum alongside conventional academic education. The school is located in the historic school building constructed for St. John Cantius parish
.
In 2006 the school celebrated its 25th anniversary and was named a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
.
As a private institution, it has a strict audition and portfolio admissions policy whereby only prospective students demonstrating an aptitude, potential and dedication to their art are admitted.
The atmosphere at the school has been described as encouraging, nurturing and occasionally bohemian. It was once one of the only high schools to feature a course on existentialism
and have workshops taught by guest tutors like Roger Ebert
. A majority of graduates continue to higher education and/or professional arts careers.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located the city of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. It is the only such high school in the state of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. It has often been called the "Fame" school and compared with New York City's High School of Performing Arts
High School of Performing Arts
The High School of Performing Arts, more formally known as The School of Performing Arts: A Division of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, informally known as "PA", was a public alternative high school in New York, New York, USA that existed from 1948 through...
.
Founded in 1981, it is one of only five high schools in the United States that provides a dedicated arts curriculum alongside conventional academic education. The school is located in the historic school building constructed for St. John Cantius parish
St. John Cantius in Chicago
St. John Cantius Church is a historic church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago located in Chicago, Illinois.It is a prime example of the so-called 'Polish Cathedral style' of churches in both its opulence and grand scale. Along with such monumental religious edifices as St. Mary of the...
.
In 2006 the school celebrated its 25th anniversary and was named a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
.
As a private institution, it has a strict audition and portfolio admissions policy whereby only prospective students demonstrating an aptitude, potential and dedication to their art are admitted.
The atmosphere at the school has been described as encouraging, nurturing and occasionally bohemian. It was once one of the only high schools to feature a course on existentialism
Existentialism
Existentialism is a term applied to a school of 19th- and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual...
and have workshops taught by guest tutors like Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
. A majority of graduates continue to higher education and/or professional arts careers.
Arts aspect of school
The school has six arts departments: Dance, Media Arts (Film & Writing), Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Academic classes begin at 8:30 and continue until 1:30, after which time students proceed to their dedicated arts study until 4:30. Rehearsals, if necessary, conclude at 6:00.Notable alumni
- Lara Flynn BoyleLara Flynn BoyleLara Flynn Boyle is an American film and television actress best known for her performances as Laura Palmer's best friend Donna Hayward in Twin Peaks and Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble in The Practice...
, actress - Tom Gold, dancer
- Craig Hall, dancer
- Adam RifkinAdam RifkinAdam Rifkin sometimes credited as Rif Coogan, is an American film director, producer, actor and writer. Rifkin is claimed to belong to a rare breed of film directors that transited from public-access television cable TV to Hollywood.His eclectic career ranges from broad family comedies to cult...
, producer - Justin TranterJustin TranterJustin Tranter is an American musician and jewelry designer. He is most famous as the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons, a New York "garage glam" rock band...
of Semi Precious WeaponsSemi Precious WeaponsSemi Precious Weapons is a rock band from New York City consisting of Justin Tranter on vocals, Stevy Pyne on guitar, Cole Whittle on bass and Dan Crean on drums. Pyne replaced former guitarist, Aaron Lee Tasjan, in November 2008... - Robin TunneyRobin TunneyRobin Jessica Tunney is an American actress. She is best known for her lead roles in the movie The Craft and the television series Prison Break and The Mentalist.-Early life:...
, actress - Alex WurmanAlex WurmanAlex Wurman is an American composer hailing from Chicago. He attended Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, Illinois...
, composer