Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Premier Performing Arts Education Partner in Fresno
Valley Performing Arts Council (VPAC) was founded in March 1997 with a clear mission: to educate children in the classical arts and expose them to the beauty, wisdom, and transformative power of these disciplines. Over 25 years, we have served more than 132,000 grade school students across 25 districts in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Our programs integrate classical ballet performances with educational outreach, partnering with professional companies like State Street Ballet and Fresno Ballet Theatre. We believe the arts cultivate compassion, integrity, and personal strength, combining technical mastery with historical and philosophical context. Through live productions such as The Nutcracker and The Little Mermaid, we engage students as both audience members and active participants.Our instructional dance programs allow classrooms to rehearse and perform choreography alongside professional dancers. VPACs community-focused approach ensures accessibility, using independent fundraising to remove barriers to participation. We emphasize that even small cultural exposures can profoundly impact young lives. Our team collaborates with schools to deliver curriculum-aligned arts education, demonstrating how classical works remain relevant today. By bridging artistic excellence with youth development, we strive to inspire future generations of artists and audiences.
Services
Ballet Performances
Educational Outreach
Dance Workshops
Student Participation Programs
Ticketed Events
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- Weve delivered arts education to 132,000+ students since 1997
- Our productions feature professional dancers from State Street Ballet
- We combine technical dance training with character development lessons
- Classroom dance programs align with school curricula and standards
- Independent fundraising ensures accessibility for all school districts
Services
Ballet Performances
VPAC presents professional ballet productions featuring dancers from State Street Ballet and local performers. Annual shows like The Nutcracker and The Little Mermaid combine technical excellence with storytelling. These performances introduce students to classical repertoire while creating memorable cultural experiences for thousands of young audience members.
Educational Outreach
Our school partnerships deliver arts education through pre-performance workshops and curriculum integration. Teachers receive instructional materials to prepare students for live theater experiences. Programs emphasize how classical arts develop critical thinking, creativity, and character, aligning with educational standards while making art accessible to diverse student populations.
Dance Workshops
Classroom dance programs teach choreography from featured productions, culminating in audience participation segments. Professional dancers create modified routines for students of all abilities. These workshops promote physical activity, teamwork, and artistic expression while connecting classroom learning to professional performance contexts.
Student Participation
Selected students perform alongside professionals in mainstage productions. This mentorship program provides performance experience while inspiring younger audience members. Participants learn stagecraft, rehearsal discipline, and artistic interpretation directly from experienced dancers, creating pathways for future arts involvement.
Ticketed Events
VPAC produces two major annual productions at Fresno venues: The Nutcracker in December and The Little Mermaid in February. These family-friendly shows feature professional casts, elaborate costumes, and educational elements designed to engage first-time theatergoers while maintaining artistic excellence that appeals to seasoned audiences.
Questions
What is VPAC's primary mission?
We provide classical arts education through live performances and school programs, focusing on ballet's technical and philosophical foundations to develop youth character and creativity.
How can schools participate in VPAC programs?
Schools access discounted tickets, receive instructional materials, and may participate in dance workshops where students learn choreography performed during live show segments.
What professional companies does VPAC work with?
We partner with State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara and Fresno Ballet Theatre to present high-quality productions featuring professional dancers and local student participants.
Where are VPAC performances held?
Mainstage productions occur at Fresno venues including the Saroyan Theatre, with educational outreach extending to 25 school districts across the Central San Joaquin Valley.
How do students benefit from VPAC programs?
Our programs develop artistic appreciation, physical coordination, and character values through arts education that complements classroom learning and encourages creative expression.
How can I purchase tickets to VPAC performances?
Tickets for The Nutcracker and The Little Mermaid are available through our website, with special pricing for school groups and family audiences.
Reviews (6)
Nina- H.
Jan 12, 2021
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We went to White Christmas. Such a lovely awesome show. They included authentic costumes it was Beautiful, fun, and professional. Had a awesome time!!
Janrene Ferns
Dec 19, 2018
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I Loved the rendition of this Shakespeare play, the Actors and Actresses were unique and played their parts so well! I laughed throughout! Lots of Comedy. My Favorites were the Moth Fairy(my grand-niece, yes Im biased :) ) and the young man who played Hermia's strict Father, He was Fabulous!!! A must see folks, their Matinee is at 1 pm today, August 4th. Support these young Thespians, they deserve your Applause!
FairytaleFilmmaker
Dec 10, 2018
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A nice little theater with sensible management. Lobby is covered in pictures and handbills of prior productions. Snack assortment is tasty. You can bring your coffee & snack back into the theater with you, too! Bathroom is clean and in good shape. No need for amplifiers on this stage because you can hear the actors just fine without mics. Not a bad seat in the house, I dare say!
Andy Laposki
Oct 12, 2018
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My family & I have been to several plays here. We recently went to a performance of the play, "Mousetrap" & it was very good. It's not a large venue, so regardless of where you're seated, you're close to the action. They also have dinner theater performances, I haven't been to any of these yet, but I definitely intend to. Plays usually run for a couple weeks at a time, with Friday & Saturday evening shows & a Sunday matinee. If you live in the valley, I highly recommend checking it out!
Daniel Moseley
Jul 07, 2018
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My daughter participated in a two-week summer theater camp at Valley Performing Arts Center. She thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff were very supportive of the kids and put on a very well-done production for their little show at the end of the course in their cozy theater, complete with an accompanying pianist, a full array of costumes and props, pro lighting, etc. The kids were obviously having a great time, and considering the rapid pace of preparation, they were well-prepared and showed little timidity typical for school-age kids, which I took as a sign of the excellent encouragement and coaching
Melvin Steinberg
Jun 29, 2018
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These plays are so much fun. The actors do a great job and are very approachable. All volunteers!! Thanks for supporting the arts!
