LEARNING AT EVERY STAGE:
How the Appell Center’s Youth and Adult Education Programs Are Opening Doors for All
For many York County residents, the Appell Center for the Performing Arts is a favorite venue to catch a live show—a major rock concert, a professional touring Broadway musical, or even a classic film. But beyond the spotlights and box office lies an important story most never see: a steadfast commitment to bringing arts education to the entire community and making it welcoming, accessible and meaningful to all.
Earlier this month, we sat down with AJ Myers, Director of Education & Community Engagement at the Appell Center, to dive deeper and uncover how these beautiful theatres are so much more than just performance venues. They are classrooms, launchpads and safe spaces for creatives of all ages. “Our goal is to give every single person in the community an opportunity to participate in the arts,” AJ shared. From toddlers getting their very first music experience to adults rediscovering a passion for improv later in life, at the Appell Center, we are transforming lives through the arts every single day.
More About AJ Myers
AJ Myers is a York native with an impressive background in the arts. He worked professionally as a musician in theatre pits and onstage gigs for many years before making the jump to arts education. Ready to inspire the next generation of performing artists, AJ started a new music program at York Academy while having his own private teaching studio, training students who have gone on to be professional touring musicians and sound technicians. He also has experience as a music director and producer, through a role with Windish Entertainment, created entertainment for companies like HersheyPark and Holland America Cruise Line . AJ’s experience with all sides of the music industry gives him a lot of valuable perspective. His passion and arts expertise shine through everything he does, and in the past few years he’s been with the Appell Center, the arts education programs have grown and thrived. “My role here is primarily to move, educate and engage the community through the arts,” said AJ.
Youth Arts Workshops and Classes
The Appell Center is proud to offer arts education workshops and classes for kids from zero to 99. From early childhood music learning programs and community favorites—Tot Rock and Antonio’s Imagination Hour—improv classes and summer camps where kids can learn how to make sound effects or make movies, the Appell Center’s youth arts programs give children a platform to exercise their creativity and build confidence. Participating in these programs can be purely a creative outlet or a pathway to a potential future career, either way, every student gets something valuable from the experience.
“My kiddos had such a great time at the pre-show activities for the Big Bubble Bonanza! It was so fun to see so many other friends from the community there as well. You all are truly creating a wonderful experience for so many kiddos in the community—and the introduction of sensory activities and accommodations is so appreciated as well. Thank you for all you do—and we and we can’t wait for the next Tot Rock!” — Sara Boutin
Filling the Gaps of Adults’ Arts Education
A lot of people think of arts education as something just for kids, but the Appell Center is changing all that. With adult improv classes, a regular Dance Lab program, and a film appreciation class, the Appell Center adult education programs are designed to be low-pressure and drop-in friendly, to accommodate busy schedules. AJ stated, “The idea was that we wanted to offer programming that people could just come and do once or as many times as they want, and either way, they will get something out of it. We want to provide an outlet where people can come in and explore their talents, no matter what their age.”
Instructors with Impressive Arts Experience
Not only does the Appell Center offer a wide variety of arts workshops and classes, but our courses are taught by truly impressive industry professionals. The teaching roster is composed of actors and actresses with major motion picture experience, Juilliard graduates and individuals with deep roots in the local York arts community. Their first-hand experience and wide range of industry disciplines breathe life and color into our programs. “The biggest thing is that everyone who teaches one of our education programs cares very deeply about what they do,” exclaimed AJ.
Inclusive and Affordable Arts Education
As a non-profit organization devoted to ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to engage with the arts, the Appell Center is committed to meeting people where they are, both literally and figuratively. We offer needs-based scholarships for students under the age of 18 and flexible pay-what-you-can “Pick Your Price” payment options, where individuals can pay as little as one dollar to participate. “We want everyone to feel like the arts are for them—because they are,” AJ said. “If cost or accessibility is a barrier, we want to remove it. We’re always looking for ways to make the pricing and participation of our classes more accessible.”
School Matinees and Stage the Page
In addition to educational workshops and classes for both children and adults, the Appell Center also offers kid-friendly matinee performances for school-aged students and is the proud creator and host of York County’s beloved Stage the Page program. Each year, Stage the Page promotes literacy and a love of the arts among Kindergarten through Second Grade students by sending children’s books straight to their classrooms and inviting them to come and see the stage production live in the iconic Strand Theatre at the end of the school year. For some students, this is their first and only experience with live theatre. This past year, students came in from all throughout York County as well as Adams County, Lancaster, Dauphin County, and Northern Maryland. “We always make sure to tie this program back to educational standards for the classrooms and the teachers. We’ll see over 7,500 kids through Stage the Page and School Matinees this year alone. The energy at those shows is amazing,” said AJ.
Bringing the Arts Out Into the Community
When the community can’t come to the Appell Center, we go to them. “Through valued community partnerships, in the past year, the Appell Center has worked with the B.E.A.S.T. Initiative for an E-Sports Tournament, invited OrangeMite to perform Richard III in the Capitol Theatre, gone into York County libraries, did a program with the YWCA, and worked with the Northeast Neighborhood Association,” shared AJ. Through community outreach programs, we extend our reach outside our theater doors and bring even more people together through the power of the arts.
Support the Future of Arts Education in York
Looking ahead, the education team at the Appell Center is dreaming up new and profound ways to bring even more meaningful arts education programs to York. But to sustain and expand our efforts, community support is essential. “School budgets for the arts are lowering, so it’s even more important that the Appell Center fills that gap and finds new ways to ensure school students can experience the arts,” shared AJ. If you’re interested in supporting the Appell Center’s education programs, there are a bunch of different ways you can do so – through volunteering, donations, becoming a Member, or sponsoring an event.
“One thing that makes our education programs really unique is the fact that they take place in a working professional setting like the Strand and Capitol Theatres. When kids are on our stages, they can say they performed on the same stage that John Legend performed on,” replied AJ. “The first time that students walk out, they take a second and pause. They are in awe. And that’s an experience that we would love to give as many people as possible.”
