Our Story

At Bloom Performing Arts we combine acting, public speaking, debate, improvisation, creative movement, and critical thinking to form a one-of-a-kind performance practice that strengthens imagination, builds self-confidence, and awakens the artist within.

In order to bloom over time, we’ve created the iImagine Series: 8 signature performing arts classes for preschoolers to 8th graders.

• iImagine Musical Movement: Preschool

• iImagine Storytelling: K-2nd

• iImagine Acting: 3rd-5th

• iImagine Speech and Debate: 3rd-6th

• iImagine Filmmaking: 3rd-8th

• iImagine Musical Theater: Scene into Song: 3rd-8th

• iImagine Comedy Writing: 3rd-8th

• iImagine Showtime: 3rd-8th

Each class is designed to bloom our students into a higher level of performative work. In our popular ‘iImagine Storytelling’ and ‘iImagine Acting’ class we act out classic children’s fables and fairytales on stage with one-of-a-kind adaptations.

​

Bloom Performing Arts programs are rooted in Social Emotional Learning. Through interest exploration, goal management, and peer-to-peer engagement, our classes provide a safe space for students to explore, dream, and strengthen their imagination. Students set personal acting goals at the beginning of the semester and learn to work as an ensemble, practicing collaboration and collective problem-solving. 

While we strive to help our students foster bravery and build self-confidence through SEL, we also use creative dramatics to help students strengthen their reading comprehension and fluency, all while having fun! In addition to supporting our students with language, our improvisational games help our students to practice presence and groundedness. In return, our games aid in calming the nervous system and reducing anxiety.

​

Lastly, BPA's programs are deeply influenced by Viola Spolin, who is widely considered the "mother of improvisational theater". Born in Chicago in 1906, Viola Spolin was an educator, performer, and innovator of theater arts. Spolin designed her theater games to make actors feel grounded and safe in the present moment. Many of her improvisational exercises encourage freedom of expression and discourage self-consciousness, thus enabling actors to fearlessly explore and invent onstage.

​

Bloom Performing Arts classes are currently running in private school after-school programs throughout New York City, Northern New Jersey, Greenwich, Connecticut, and Savannah, Georgia.