Orange County School of The Arts - Arts

Arts

After 2:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday, the school focuses on arts education which is divided into 12 conservatories: Production and Design, International Dance (was Ballet Folklórico), Classical and Contemporary Dance, Commercial Dance, Creative Writing, Film and Television, Integrated Arts, Instrumental Music (divided into Classical Instrumental, Piano, and Jazz/CMP), Music and Theater (divided into Musical Theater, Drama, and Voice), Classical Voice (was Opera), Visual Arts, and Culinary Arts and Hospitality (new to the 2012-2013 year).

James P. Blaylock, a fantasy author, is Director of the Creative Writing Department at OCSA. The department's Writer in Residence is the award-winning fantasy author Tim Powers. The Instrumental Music Department holds many concerts throughout the year and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City in spring of 2006. The school's Symphony Orchestra, directed by Chris Russell, performed in the Sydney Opera House in the summer of 2008. The Production and Design Conservatory at OCSA designs the costumes, lighting, audio, makeup and sets for over 125 school performances each year. They refer to their conseratory director as "Captain" because his name is Kevin Cook.

OCSA's largest event is the annual Season Finale, which takes place in early June at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The Finale recognizes notable graduating seniors, presents information about each conservatory, and includes theatrical presentations and instrumental performances, often showcasing pieces from the top performances of that year. OCSA's Gala fundraiser is the other large event and is held in coastal Orange County towards the end of March. The Gala is a themed fundraising event in which OCSA students from various conservatories perform. The event takes place at a hotel ballroom converted into a fully functioning theater by students of the Production and Design program.