Pandemic Prompts Performing Arts Center To Move Summer Acting Classes Online

In a typical year, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts would host 300 students for various camps and education programs. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the learning has moved online.

"We are in the same time together, even though we aren't sharing the same space," says Allison Watrous, Executive Director of Education and Community Outreach at the DCPA.

Watrous is currently teaching a virtual class called Discovering Monologues. She says the DCPA has shortened the duration of the sessions and offered more classes to accommodate the uncertain times.

"There are so many things that are within the art form," she told CBS Denver's Karen Leigh. "We're super excited to offer on-camera classes and our voice-over classes work beautifully, obviously, within this format."

Carly O'Rear, 17, is among the students in the Discovering Monologues class. She said the Zoom classes have taken some getting used to, but she's glad she doesn't have to put her dreams on hold for the virus.

"I'm starting to prep for college auditions, to hopefully do musical theater in college," she said.

O'Rear said she hopes to perform on Broadway one day, and this class is another step down that road.

The DCPA plans to add more classes for middle and elementary school kids this summer.