Founded in 1971, the Academy of Arts exists to train and inspire the next generation of servant leaders to properly use the universal gift of communication for others’ good and God’s glory.
Registration for the 2025 – 2026 Co-op will open on Wednesday, August 13 at 11AM (EST).
After much prayer and council, the administration of The Academy of Arts has made the decision to continue on with the Academy of Arts Co-op this coming school year. We are excited to be offering this crucial part of our ministry once again and look forward to being able to work with your young people in this exciting way once again.
As usual, our staff have evaluated ways in which we can improve the co-op for this coming year to not only make the experience better for your students, but for our staff and instructors as well. With this in mind, we will be making some changes to the overall structure of Co-op. These adjustments will allow for our directors to have more focused time with the students and even more continuity in their instruction time. It will also make it possible for our technical teams to service both elementary and highschool productions without having too heavy of a work load. We must keep in mind the do-ability of the schedule for our staff for the co-op to continue on, and that is one of our main motivations behind these adjustments. The staff who have committed to being instructors in the co-op have all prayerfully accepted these positions and are so excited to get started! We all can’t wait to work hard to make this coming year an exciting and impactful year for your students and the glory of the Lord!
Each young person’s family will be required to read and sign a code of conduct form as well have a background-checked individual volunteer a minimum of two hours each month.
Elementary Co-op Classes
Students 7 – 11 years old
(by December 31st, 2025)
ACTING CLASS
The Academy of Arts Elementary Co-op will be producing The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse over the course of the first semester directed by Sarah Christensen. Adapted from the well-known Aesop’s Fable and the story of the Prodigal Son from the book of Luke, this timeless children’s story follows one mouse’s journey from the simple, happy cornfields of the country to the fast-paced opportunities of the town where he learns that things are not always as they seem. Memorable characters, hilarious antics, and the valuable character lessons of contentment and sacrificial love will be brought to life on stage by your children. Each Monday will be dedicated to rehearsals, prep, and the hands-on teaching that will fully prepare each child for the full length production at the end of the semester.
Audition Deadline: September 1st
Audition information will be emailed with enrollment confirmation.
CLASS SCHEDULE
This class will take place 9AM – 1:55PM
*Will include a 20 minute snack and 45 minute lunch break
September 15, 22, 29
October 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1
RECITALS
December 5th → Please have the students arrive at 1:00 for final run throughs, etc. The performance will be at 7:00.
December 6th → Please have the students arrive at 11:30. The performance will be at 2:00.
CHOIR CLASS
Elementary Choir class is filled with exciting vocal discovery, beginner to intermediate musical skills (including rudimentary theory), and the right tools to sing with confident passion! Repertoire will include a variety of music from classical, folk, sacred, and modern choral genres, including at least 1 foreign language song. Students of all levels will experience both accessibility and challenges throughout the year. The class will focus on healthy singing technique; sight singing, interval recognition, audiation, singing in up to 4 parts (melody/harmony); listening, practice, and memorization skills; teamwork; and effective choral communication and expression. There will also be opportunities for solo auditions throughout the year!
CLASS SCHEDULE
This class will take place 2PM – 3PM on:
September 15, 22, 29
October 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1
This class will take place 12:55PM – 1:55PM on:
January 12, 19, 26
February 2, 16
March 2, 9, 16
RECITALS
March 23rd → Choir students, both elementary and high school, come in at 2:00 for a final rehearsal. This rehearsal will go from 2:00 to 4:00. Parents should plan to pick up their young people and return at 6:30 for the recital at 7:00.
COST
$475/per student
One subject: $475
*Half of tuition is due at registration
Two subjects: $750
*Half of tuition is due at registration
Payments are due September 13th, November 13th, and March 13th
*If your child is only involved in acting, below are the following payment plans
Elementary Acting Only Payments:
September 13th – $237.50
November 13th – $237.50
TEACHERS
Sarah Christensen | Acting
Sarah Christensen is a native of South Carolina, though she has lived on the mission field at various times in her life. She now lives here in Greenville with her wonderful husband Ian, and she has been involved with the Academy of Arts Logos Theatre for four years. She has directed various productions, including Kingdom’s Dawn for both the Academy of Arts Conservatory and the high school co-op, and Boy Who Cried Wolf for the elementary co-op. She has also served as a mentor for the Conservatory Master’s Students as they have mounted their own productions, and she has taught acting classes for the elementary, high school and Conservatory levels. She loves directing, and has a heart for using the principles and process of theatre to train up young people in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6)– to love the Lord and serve Him boldly and faithfully!
Tara Hamilton | Choir
Tara received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with a voice proficiency in 2014 and her Master of Music degree in Church Music with choral conducting and voice proficiencies in 2016, both from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. She owned and operated My Tempo Music Studios, LLC for 7 years, directed Patch the Pirate LIVE! musical productions with Majesty Music, Inc. for 5 years, served as High School Choir Director at Bob Jones Academy for 2 years, and has participated in several productions on the Logos Theatre stage.
High School Co-op Classes
Students 12 – 18 years old
(by December 31st, 2025)
ACTING CLASS
The Academy of Arts Junior High/High School Co-op will be producing The Child Stealer: Amy Carmichael’s Fight for the Children of India over the course of the spring semester directed by Sarah Christensen. This inspiring production tells the incredible, true story of Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary, who bravely went to India as a single lady. Her courage became widely known as she opened a safe house for rescuing children from being trafficked in the Hindu temples. She served in India for fifty-five years without a furlough, and her dedication to serving God has inspired many Christians to become missionaries and to remain steadfast in their faith. Students will not only grow in their acting skills but will work in different crews throughout the semester to hone other skills.***
Audition Deadline: October 6th
Audition information will be emailed with enrollment confirmation.
CLASS SCHEDULE
This class will take place 9AM – 1:55PM
*Will include a 45 minute lunch break
January 12, 19, 26
February 2, 16
March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
RECITALS
April 3rd → Please have the acting students arrive at 9:00 AM for final run throughs, etc. The performance will be at 7:00.
April 4th → Please have the acting students arrive at 10:30. The performance will be at 2:00.
CHOIR CLASS
Secondary Choir class opens a world of musical discovery to students of all levels and experiences. Through experiential learning and poignant discussion, focuses will include (but are not limited to) beginner to advanced music, choral, singing, and theory skills; a variety of repertoire from classical, folk, sacred, and modern choral genres; cultural and historical significance of repertoire; at least 2 foreign language songs; healthy singing technique with the goal of choral unity; and vital diction, enunciation, communication, and performance skills. There will also be opportunities for solo auditions throughout the year!
CLASS SCHEDULE
This class will take place 12:55PM – 1:55PM on:
September 15, 22, 29
October 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1
This class will take place 2PM – 3PM on:
January 12, 19, 26
February 2, 16
March 2, 9, 16, 23
RECITALS
March 23rd → Choir students, both elementary and high school, come in at 2:00 for a final rehearsal. This rehearsal will go from 2:00 to 4:00. Parents should plan to pick up their young people and return at 6:30 for the recital at 7:00.
FILM CLASS
In this hands-on class, students learn the basics of filmmaking—screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing—while working together to create an original short film. Rooted in a Christ-centered approach, this co-op equips the next generation of storytellers to use their creativity for the glory of God.
CLASS SCHEDULE
This class will take place 3:05PM – 4:05PM
September 15, 22, 29
October 20, 27
November 3, 10, 17
December 1
January 12, 19, 26
February 2, 16
March 2, 9, 16, 23
RECITALS
March 23rd → Film students will join the choir class at 2:00 until 4:00. Parents should plan to pick up their young people and return at 6:30 for the recital at 7:00.
COST
$525/per student
One subject: $525
*Half of tuition is due at registration
Two subjects: $850
*Half of tuition is due at registration
Three subjects: $1,175
*Can be split into 3 payments
Payments are due September 13th, November 13th, and March 13th
*If your child is only involved in acting, below are the following payment plans
Jr/Sr High Acting Only Payments:
January 13th – $262.50
March 13th – $262.50
TEACHERS
Sarah Christensen | Acting
Sarah Christensen is a native of South Carolina, though she has lived on the mission field at various times in her life. She now lives here in Greenville with her wonderful husband Ian, and she has been involved with the Academy of Arts Logos Theatre for four years. She has directed various productions, including Kingdom’s Dawn for both the Academy of Arts Conservatory and the high school co-op, and Boy Who Cried Wolf for the elementary co-op. She has also served as a mentor for the Conservatory Master’s Students as they have mounted their own productions, and she has taught acting classes for the elementary, high school and Conservatory levels. She loves directing, and has a heart for using the principles and process of theatre to train up young people in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6)– to love the Lord and serve Him boldly and faithfully!
Tara Hamilton | Choir
Tara received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with a voice proficiency in 2014 and her Master of Music degree in Church Music with choral conducting and voice proficiencies in 2016, both from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. She owned and operated My Tempo Music Studios, LLC for 7 years, directed Patch the Pirate LIVE! musical productions with Majesty Music, Inc. for 5 years, served as High School Choir Director at Bob Jones Academy for 2 years, and has participated in several productions on the Logos Theatre stage.
Matt Hainsworth | Film
Matt Hainsworth is originally from the Pittsburgh PA area, and he now lives in South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Hannah, and their three daughters. He has worked for nearly ten years with the Academy of Arts Logos Theatre and Venture Films, and is currently working full time in the media department. He has been a part of co-op for two years, has worked on every summer film camp since 2016, has recorded shows for the Logos Theatre, and has served as the head for many photoshoots and poster shots of various shows. His goal in teaching Filmmaking is to equip the next generation of storytellers for the glory of God.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is the price for the acting classes the same as last year, when the elementary and high school acting students will only have one semester of classes this year?
The price for the acting classes are the same as last year because the total number of hours that the students will spend in class is comparable to the total number of hours that the students spent in class last year. The classes are longer blocks this time around, with the class time slated for 9AM to 1:55PM. Even with breaks for lunch (and snack breaks for the elementary classes), the time adds up to be about the same amount as last year. The students will have lots of time to rehearse and grow!
What kind of food should my child bring for their lunch breaks?
Due to a limited number of microwaves and the amount of personnel using the facility, we ask that your child bring in meals that do not need to be microwaved or refrigerated. We recommend things like sandwiches, veggies, packaged snacks, and things of the like!
What if there is an extenuating circumstance and my child cannot attend a day of classes?
We understand that circumstances arise, and we would just ask that you email Sarah Christensen at co-op@theacademyofarts.org, preferably at least one week in advance. If there is something sudden like an illness at the last minute, please still email Sarah an explanation of the situation. Thank you!
Are all teachers and class helpers required to pass a background check?
Yes, all teachers, class helpers and parent volunteers will be required to complete a background check before helping in a class.
Who should I email if I have any further questions?
You can email us at co-op@theAcademyofArts.org.
How do I pick up my child each day after co-op?
Each family will be given 3 car number tags to hang from their rearview mirror. No young person will be permitted to leave in a vehicle not presenting their corresponding car line number.
No unauthorized person will be allowed to pick any child.
Why is an audition required for the acting class?
The audition is required for acting class to allow the director to cast each young person in the production.
The audition script and all audition instructions will be emailed in the enrollment confirmation.
Can my high school student earn credit at the end of the school year?
Yes, each young person will mailed a credit recommendation at the end of the school year.
Founded in 1971, the Academy of Arts exists to train and inspire the next generation of servant leaders to properly use the universal gift of communication for others’ good and God’s glory.