AW Spotlight
Standing Ovation Performing Arts . . . Where the Spotlight is on Education!
By Krista Martinelli
When Erin and J.R. Coley founded Standing Ovation, they discovered how the arts truly benefit children in their education. “It’s an opportunity for kids to do stuff that they can’t do anywhere else. They express themselves, increase self-esteem and build life skills without even knowing that they’re doing it,” says Erin Coley.
Standing Ovation, located in Boynton Beach, offers a lot of variety in their classes too. Just take a peak at their Schedule of Classes for a glimpse at their busy schedule. Classes include: Acting for stage, acting for camera, musical theater, vocal, comedy improvisation, creative dramatics, storybook theater (for the younger actors), song and dance (also for the younger ones). According to Coley, their classes are for people ages 3 to 103, so adults are welcome too. (See a short video of a “Little Stars” class in action).
“Our teachers are professional and incredible with motivating kids to take risks and try things they’ve always wanted to do, but never had the nerve to. We offer a lot of different things with our birthday parties, kids’ nights out, classes and camps. We do productions also.”
In fact their popular “Production Birthday Parties” have attracted some recent attention, winning the South Florida Parenting Kids’ Crown Award for the “most creative birthday party.” Within the course of a three-hour birthday party, the kids pull together and do a full production, where the birthday kid is the star of the show. The parents come back for the last half hour of the show. The kids love it, and the parents do too.
Standing Ovation always offers camp on “no school” days, where the kids write scenes, write entire shows and perform for each other. They also play theater and improv games. They also do a “Kids’ Night Out”, one Saturday each month from 6:30 to 10:00pm. It’s a great opportunity for kids from 6 to 14 to have their own night out, while their parents get a night out as well. The kids play improv games, watch a movie, have popcorn, pizza and sodas – it’s a party.
How did Standing Ovation Performing Arts come to be? “We started doing classes in elementary schools after school. We had a lot of parents saying you need to do this – you need your own studio,” says Coley. So fueled by eager parents’ requests, she starting looking for a venue and found this spot for a studio at Le Chalet, just off of Military Trail in Boynton Beach. It will be three years in December.
Erin Coley has been involved in theater since she was twelve years old. She started in church and then did acting in school. Then she “fell in love with it.” In college, she majored in Education and minored in Theater, getting involved in both community theater and professional theater afterward. She also taught high school for four years and ran some tutoring centers. “I put two and two together and realized that I could run a studio for acting,” she recalls.
Coley launched Standing Ovation at a difficult time, in terms of the economy, to start a business. However, things have been going quite well as they continue to add classes, content and staff. At Standing Ovation, they strive to keep the classes affordable, despite the many expenses that can come with theater productions (royalties, costumes, etc.)
“Students relish the chance to take risks and try stuff they have always wanted to, but have never been able to. All of the time I hear parents commenting, ‘My kid wants to live here,’” says Coley. She witnesses the young theater students feeling like they are becoming more of a family. Best of all they are learning invaluable lessons, having so much fun that they forget that they are learning.
Meanwhile the parents seem to appreciate the education that is taking place at Standing Ovation. The biggest benefit for many of the students is self-esteem. Another comment they’ve heard from parents is, “My child never used to look to people in the eye, and now they do.”
Today Standing Ovation has nine talented theater teachers on its staff. “I struggle hiring because I’m so picky. Teachers have to be super high-energy and really good with kids. Anyone can teach acting, but to be able to motivate and encourage the kids is special,” explains Coley.
Her favorite play? “Into the Woods” is Coley’s favorite play she’s acted in. “Wicked” is her favorite play as an audience member.
While you might witness a lot of giggling and happy children (especially if you observe one of the classes for younger students), Standing Ovation has an important mission, which they keep in mind while developing theater games, activities and whole productions.
Standing Ovation’s Mission is to:
Improve Self-Esteem through the Performing Arts
Develop Life Skills through the Performing Arts
Build Performing Arts Technique
As it turns out, speaking loudly, speaking clearly, responding quickly under pressure and team work skills are all extremely helpful assets for their students. To have all of these qualities gives young students a greater confidence and an extra boost in all of their other activities.
Thanks to a new baby in the family, Erin Coley is one very busy Mom. Her adorable four-month-old daughter Quinn is no stranger to the acting studio. Erin and her husband JR are also busy with their 14-year-old son Taige, who attends Sun Coast High School and their 12-year-old daughter Tegan, who attends the Bak Middle School of the Arts. Coley says of her husband JR, who works at F.A.U., “He comes up with all of the great ideas. I make them happen.” Together they are an excellent team.
For more information, stop by for a FREE first class! Or visit their website for a complete schedule of classes. Or call Standing Ovation at (561) 734-0187.
Standing Ovation Performing Arts
4953 Le Chalet Blvd. #4
Boynton Beach, FL 33436
(561) 734-0187