At Acting Academy for Kids, OC youth take to the stage and silver screen to grow confidence, meet new friends and make memories.
by Jennifer Benson
Lights! Camera! Action! From aspiring actors and vocalists to young, eager minds looking to gain public speaking skills and grow confidence, Acting Academy for Kids offers classes, workshops, camps and private lessons for youth throughout south Orange County.
Founded in 2008 by Stephen and Maggie Zygo, parents to two budding artists of their own (Julian, 3 and Jesse, almost 2), AA4K has brought the performing arts aspirations of more than 10,000 local youth to life on stage, on film and behind the lights and cameras during the past decade.
“As a family owned and operated youth performing arts academy, Maggie and I believe that not only is every child unique and special, but that it is our gift and privilege to bring out the very best in each child and share these talents with others,” says Stephen.
A DECADE OF GROWTH
As the adage says, it takes 10 years to become an overnight success. So much goes on behind the scenes—practice, auditions, pounding the pavement, rejection—before that glorious moment in the spotlight. And the success of AA4K is no exception. What may look easy to the outside world has taken an incredible amount of perseverance and hard work behind the scenes.
Today, the once fledgling professional musical theater has emerged as a leader in the performing arts community for Orange County youth. During the past several years, AA4K has expanded to meet growing demand, but has never lost its personal touch that makes every show, every relationship, feel like family.
Both Stephen and Maggie hold Master’s Degrees in teaching, and Stephen has a degree in Musical Theatre Performance as well. From the very beginning, their focus has been on teaching kids about every aspect of the performing arts, from teamwork and technical skills to choreography and costume design. The applause, while always welcome, is what comes after the hard work is done.
“It’s wonderful if our kids go on to work in a professional capacity in the performing arts, and many have done that,” says Maggie. “But as teachers, we believe kids get so much more out of our programs because of our extensive focus on education and basic building blocks. They learn essential skills that will lead to success, no matter what they choose to do.”
The academy operates out of three convenient locations—the historic Cabrillo Playhouse in San Clemente, the Community Roots Academy in Laguna Niguel and the state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot OC Music & Dance theater, which shares a building with the Pacific Symphony in Irvine.
As part of its mission to inspire a deeper and bigger appreciation of the arts among youth throughout our community, AA4K offers a camp, a lesson, a program or a show to suit the talents and interests of every child.
PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS
Is your child just testing the waters in the performing arts? Or are they a seasoned performer looking to hone their skills over the summer? From novices to veterans, AA4Ks summer camps are once again being held at all three locations. Open to children 4-13 years old, each week-long program offers a mix of acting, singing and dance, culminating in a Friday afternoon performance open to parents and other cheering fans. This year’s line-up, which was just announced in February, includes The Descendants, Zootopia, Harry Potter, The Greatest Showman and Moana, to name a few. Early registration is now open on the AA4K website.
THE BIG STAGE: MUSICAL THEATER
The heart and soul of AA4K is planted on the stage. Every Fall, Winter and Spring, multiple casts—each with no more than 30 actors—embark on a three-month, intensive journey to bring a well-known musical to life. Mary Poppins, Willy Wonka and Alice in Wonderland are just a few names that have drawn packed audiences. Auditions are held the first day of class and everyone gets a role in these full-scale productions. For kids who are natural leaders, there’s even a Jr. Director program. This spring, young performers will discover a “whole new world” at all three AA4K locations with an updated version of Disney’s Aladdin. Registrations are now open for this magic carpet ride, with auditions beginning in early April and performances scheduled for June.
“What I love most about our musical theater program is that it is truly an immersive experience,” says Stephen. “From the first day, our students are exposed to every facet of theater—from lighting and singing to memorizing lines and costume creation. They learn not only what happens on the stage, but everything that goes on behind the scenes to make the show a success.”
THE SILVER SCREEN: AA4K STUDIOS
In today’s digital age, it’s no secret that video is a favorite medium for many kids. To meet this growing demand, AA4K Studios, a film conservatory led by OCSA teacher Brian Stevens, debuted last year to offer first-hand experience and education both behind and in front of the camera. Kids ages 7-18 learn, through the lens of an actor, how to bring their stories to life by creating their own commercials, scenes, monologues and more. Each student writes, shoots, directs, acts and assistant-edits their own short film. These short films are then screened at an end-of-season premiere gala, where friends, families and film friends can watch students’ creativity and talents come to life on the big screen. In addition, while the focus on this program is educational, each student gets a professional reel with their work and earns official IMBD credit.
“The AA4K Studio is especially a hit with our teen students, who are eager to express themselves in more original, unique ways,” says Stephen. “Every short-film script is not only original, but characters are based on the kids themselves. When their film debuts at our red carpet premier, which is a black-tie event, our student filmmakers literally walk a red carpet thronged by paparazzi asking questions and enthusiastic fans, including friends and family.”
This high-profile event is even known to attract special guests, including the Mayor of San Capistrano, Kerry Furguson, and Steve Oedekerk, the Academy-Award nominated writer, producer, director and more of blockbusters like Bruce Almighty and Ace Ventura.
PRIVATE VOCAL AND PIANO LESSONS
AA4K recognizes that while every child is born with natural gifts, it is learning, guidance and practice that brings these talents to life. Whether a student is in search of private vocal lessons in preparation for an audition for the next big musical or wants to grow their interest in music with piano lessons, AA4K offers private lessons and coaching to help students learn new skills, and take their existing talents to new levels.
A DIAGNOSIS AND A COMMITMENT
Like every movie that touches the heart, the Zygo’s story of success is not without heartbreak. If there was ever any question about their commitment to bringing the arts to our local youth, a quick look at their past two years confirms what so many students and parents already know: the Zygo’s dedication is unwavering.
Over two years ago, while three months pregnant with their second child, Maggie felt an enlarged lymph node on her neck. A biopsy was performed, and on the day she gave birth she received a diagnosis that no one wants to hear: she has a rare, incurable form of Non Hodgkins’ lymphoma. With two babies to take care of—Jesse and Julian are only 15 months apart—she underwent grueling radiation treatments, hoping for a positive outcome. Sadly, their dreams were dashed not just once—when they learned that not only had the radiation not been effective (in fact the cancer spread to her abdomen), but that her particular type of cancer was one of the very few that could cross the placenta, which put not only her life, but the lives of their two precious sons, at risk. When both sons also developed enlarged lymph nodes on their necks—the exact scenario that led to Maggie’s diagnosis—the Zygo family had a moment of reckoning. With three members of their family undergoing extensive medical research and alternative treatments, what would happen to AA4K?
After considerable introspection and prayer, the family, together with their extended AA4K family, made a decision. Just as they encouraged every student who entered their doors, walked on stage, worked the lights or sat behind a piano to never give up on their dreams, the Zygo family would set an example by never giving up on theirs, either.
Today, AA4K is moving forward full-steam, unwavering in its commitment to bringing the arts alive for thousands of local youth. Although they have a tough road ahead, Maggie, Jesse and Julian remain determined to live their best lives, no matter what.
“We all are given the gift of making a difference in our own, special way,” says Stephen. “We’ve learned this more than anyone can imagine during the past two years. For us, that means helping kids connect to others and the world around them through the arts. When you help kids bring joy to others, they discover new things about themselves. And that’s an incredible privilege to have.”
To learn more about AA4K or register for Aladdin, summer camps or private lessons, log on to: www.actingacademyforkids.com
Email actingacademy4kids@gmail.com
(949) 427-0072
