Metro School of the Arts Hosts FREE Virtual Performances,October

Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA) in Alexandria, Va. is hosting two free, October performing arts virtual events, Fri., Oct. 23 and Sat., Oct. 24. On Fri., Oct. 23 at 3:30 PM, MSA Academy students will perform a live, outdoor cabaret at the Lee District RECenter Amphitheatre in Alexandria, Va. that can be viewed by the public virtually on the MSA Facebook page the following week. MSA Academy students will also present their pre-recorded One-Act Play, 4 A.M.—Stay-At-Home Edition by Jonathon Dorf on Sat., Oct. 24 at 8 PM ET, streamed on Broadway On Demand at https://www.broadwayondemand.com/not-live/XgRAvIQxoJcU-4am-the-stay-at-home-edition--metropolitan-school-of-the-arts?channel=live-productions. Go to metropolitanarts.org/support on how to donate to these free performances.

“As performers, we want to perform, so we will continue to bring the arts safely to our community when and how we can through this time of COVID restrictions,” said Melissa Dobbs, founder of Metropolitan School of the Arts in Alexandria, Va. “The arts are essential to providing us much needed respite, entertainment, joy and humor,” said Dobbs.

The One-Act Play 4 AM – Stay-at-Home Edition is directed by MSA’s Studio Acting Department and MetroiMprov Artistic Director, Kirsten Noetzel.

The MSA Outdoor Cabaret is a 70-minute, fast-paced show supported by a band consisting of: MSA Academy Postgraduate Program Director, Tom Pedersen; pianist and conductor, John Henderson from Bethesda, Md.; drummer, Danny Vilanueva of College Park, Md.; and guitarist, Larry France, Jr. of South Riding, Va.

MSA will also be part of the Alexandria Arts Alliance in partnership with ACT for Alexandria, an online fundraiser for the arts. The event will be streamed on Sat evening, Oct. 24. Proceeds will benefit arts organizations and artists based in Alexandria. The event will include video vignettes from artists and arts organizations from around the city and special appearances from local celebrities, supporters and politicians. Go to http://www.alexandriaartsalliance.org/act-4-artsalx.html to support MSA.

As a non-profit school, MSA relies on general donations and corporate fundraising to maintain and keep its Academy and studio operating with exceptional instructors, programs and a quality education. Since COVID has limited social performances, MSA has experienced a significant revenue loss. To help support MSA, go to metropolitanarts.org/support.

The Academy at Metropolitan School of the Arts is a college preparatory performing arts school for emerging young artists, grades 7 to 12 and high school graduates seeking performing arts gap year programs, who are dedicated to a rigorous academic experience in a pre-professional performing arts conservatory environment. Their cross-curricular approach to arts training fills each young artist’s toolbox with the dance, music and acting skills necessary to be a triple threat in the arts world. Metropolitan School of the Arts approach to education is designed to develop independent, self-motivated and skilled learners. The school offers a post-high school graduate program as well, for those students who desire an extra year to prepare for admittance into a performing arts university.

ABOUT METROPOLITAN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (MSA) Alexandria, Va.-based, Metropolitan School of the Arts (MSA), a 501 (c) 3 organization, is the first Washington, D.C. area, private, secondary performing arts school, founded in 2013 by Melissa Dobbs.