The Academy of Performing Arts is comprised of two divisions, Dance and Drama, providing students a wide array of academic options that include college preparatory, honors, and concurrent college/high school classes.

The  program prepares students for post-secondary education and/or entry to careers in the performing arts. GCIT offers an extensive range of arts activities, as well as the opportunity for students in other programs to participate in the school musical.

Students at GCIT also have the opportunity to participate in the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and nationally recognized Thespian Troupe 5480, in addition to a variety of other CTSOs.

Additionally, students in the School of the Performing Arts have been recognized and awarded with the Governor’s Awards in Arts Education, National Thespian Awards, and Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award.

The structure of the School of Performing Arts – Drama features classroom instruction integrated with workplace experience, participation in facets of theatre auditions, performance and production, and exposure to current professionals in the field.

Graduates from the performing arts program followed their training by joining national theatre tours, regional theatres, off-Broadway shows, improv troupes, and Disney theme parks and cruises. Graduates have also landed roles in major motion pictures, positions as lighting designers and costume designers, teachers, and some are even theatre owners.

Our experienced staff has years of career experience in directing, performing, and stage managing at community, regional, and professional theaters in Philadelphia, New York and regional theaters around the country.

The Dance curriculum is heavily centered on the technical training of the student in ballet, modern and jazz. In addition to developing a strong technical base, students will explore the use of improvisation as a means for creating original movement. Senior year, students will choreograph and produce an entire original dance concert.

In addition to studying with our professional faculty, the dance students have the opportunity to mentor under an extensive array of national figures in dance, music and visual arts through the guest artist program.

Our goal is to develop well-rounded students who are capable of interacting successfully within a variety of disciplines in the professional dance world. Entrance into the program is highly competitive.