The Performing Arts Program (PA) at McNear Elementary was started in 1996 by Valerie Richman and Patty Norman as a musical revue featuring 100 K-6 students at no cost. Over the years it has passed through many directors’ hands and grown, enabling hundreds of students to reap the unique rewards of collaborating onstage and behind the curtain in the exciting experience of making live musical theater. 

PA has developed into an annual two production program:  a fall play in the fall for 4th - 6th graders and a spring play for 1st-3rd graders.  For all shows, upper graders join the crew to run the light and sound board, change sets, handle props, work the the curtain, and help support our actors backstage. Participation averages more than 150 students a year. 

The mission of the McNear PA Program is to give every child a shining moment onstage/backstage, and to feel the accomplishment of being part of the performing arts. We choose engaging scripts and perform both contemporary and classic stories and musical numbers.  

Our plays are not star vehicles; we distribute roles to ensure that all participants get to do as much (or as little) as they want to tackle and can handle. A lot of time and consideration goes into casting. A great attitude, focus, and dedication are rewarded with more to do.  Students are grouped together to achieve success for both individual actors and the production as a whole.  

Each show is directed by Program Directors: Donnie Frank and Karen Miles. They are supported by an army of family volunteers who donate their time and talents and are deeply committed to presenting high-quality shows worthy of the talent and dedication of our McNear students. Under the PTA umbrella, the PA program has provided many upgrades to the McNear multipurpose room: chairs, sound system, projection, microphones and more.  A small registration fee covers the cost of the program, directors, props, sets, t-shirts, programs, costumes, show memento and a cast party. PTA Scholarships are available to ensure that all students who are interested can be a part of Performing Arts.

With opportunities to perform both onstage and off, it’s a truly collaborative program filled with moments of joy, chaos, creativity, personal growth and magic. Students will have the opportunity to step into new worlds, see things from new perspectives, and understand how science, technology, engineering, arts, and math all come together to make something tangible and wondrous.  Performing arts is the biggest team sport there is!  We are so excited to make some magic with you!