Creative and Performing Arts Academy of NEPA

Join us for special Fairy tale brunches at the historic Ritz Theater! Character performances, crafts, sing-a-longs, pictures, awesome brunch & more! Open to all ages! Schedule of Special Guests in May: May 1 - Polynesian Princess, The Little Mermaid & Sea Witch. Ticketing link: https://www.showtix4u.com/event/50263... May 8- Mary Poppins, Burt, Peter Pan, Hook. Ticketing Link: https://www.showtix4u.com/event/50266 May 15- Rapunzel & Mother, Snow Queen & Snow Princess. Ticketing Link: https://www.showtix4u.com/event/50268 May 29 - Cinderella, The Fairest Princess & her Prince, Briar Rose Ticketing Link: https://www.showtix4u.com/event/50269

Curious about our CYBER CAMPUS? Come to an upcoming show to see our kids in action! GERMS - THE MUSICAL! goes up April 9-10 (older division) and LOLLIES on April 15-16 (younger division). Click event for more details about our show & contact us at [email protected] for more information about our Cyber Campus Program for kids 3rd-12th grade. We are currently holding interviews for next school year - limited spots available.

The Ritz Mainstage Players are proud to announce our first set of OPEN AUDITIONS for next season's titles - MUSIC MAN, Jr, ANNIE, URINETOWN & more! Open to kids 3rd grade and up, College students & Adults! Click below for more info. You don't want to miss out on our incredible season!!

Our CYBER CAMPUS MVP of the Week goes to an outstanding student/performer - NEVAEH H! Nevaeh is a 6th grade student at 21st Century Cyber Charter School. She takes her academics seriously and loves participating in CaPAA's arts programming during the cyber day. Nevaeh loves acting, singing, dancing, art & spending time with her family. She will be playing the role of "MINT" in our upcoming winter production of LOLLIES! Keep up the great work, Nevaeh. We are very proud of you! #capaakidsrock

Our FAIRY TALE BRUNCHES are back! Sat, Jan. 23rd at 10AM - for only $10 - includes brunch, character performances, crafts, sing-a-longs and more! Limited seating in the historic Ritz Theater to ensure social distancing. Masks are a must! Click below for more info & ticket link!

Our Cyber Campus afternoon workshops started today! Move It, Photography and Art Fun! Thursday we get started with Music Theory, Shakespeare, and Youth Activism!! If you're interested in hearing more about our Cyber Campus, we have a few limited spots available for the remainder of the school year- contact us at [email protected]

#LackawannaFunFact The Ritz Theater & Performing Arts Center was built in 1906 and was originally named The Poli. Built by vaudeville theatre magnate Sylveste...r Z. Poli, the theater was decorated with elegant finishes and vivid rich colors. It boasted elaborate oil paintings, a glass mirror-wall lobby, luxurious drapes, and a stunning chandelier, to name a few. It seated more than 2,000 attendees between its orchestra, balcony, and second-story balcony. The Poli, Scranton's premier playhouse, opened in 1907 and was host to several famous performers such as Harry Houdini, W.C. Fields, and Will Rogers. Throughout its history, the building has experienced many changes, including remodeling, renaming, and rebranding. When the age of motion pictures emerged, the Union Theater Company acquired it and eventually renamed it the Ritz and began showing movies only. In the 1930s, it underwent an Art Deco style remodel, the second-story balcony was removed, and it was renamed Comerford Theatre. It again underwent another remodel and a reopening in 1950. After a couple of successful decades, the theater fell into financial struggles. The building's main floor was converted into a mini-mall, and the theater operation moved to the former balcony and began showing short-run movies. As theater competition grew throughout the community, the theater closed its doors in early 2000. Fortunately, the Ritz's current owner bought it in the early 2000s, and some of the building's past forgotten treasures have been restored. The Ritz is currently home to the Creative and Performing Arts Academy of NEPA (CaPAA), an arts program for all ages. CaPAA has over 300 students who come to The Ritz for various performance art classes and have over two dozen productions throughout the year. The theater is also home to the Ritz Mainstage Players, a semi-professional company that offers full productions for all ages. #VisitLackawannaPA Find more Ritz history here ritzpac.com/history

Merry Christmas to all of our CaPAA students, families, staff & friends! We hope that the New Year brings us back together again on the stage making more wonderful memories!