Fall 2021!  Welcome back InnOVATION families!

Summer is upon us, the COVID vaccine has helped decrease dramatically the number of COVID cases in our state.  We are now seeing a teen- and youth-safe vaccine, but we must remain vigilant, as we know that even vaccinated persons can contract and spread COVID-19.  This fall we will continue with in-person classes and rehearsals, and COVID-safe live performance with friends and family whenever possible.  This is the updates and information page for all things related to COVID-19.  Fall 2021 updates!!  

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2020-2021 was a pretty great year, all things considered.  We were able to keep musical theatre training and performance alive in a way that was safe for our students and staff.!  In the fall, we produced our first ZOOMSICAL - The Big 1-0.  Christmas performances were filmed and are on YouTube.  In the spring, we moved to our new location *Arts Place* and Saturdays and Sundays were bustling with singing, dancing theatre kids from age 3 to age 18.  In March, InnOVATION Arts Academy produced it's second filmed musical, The Little Mermaid Jr, which premiered at the Bourbon Drive in Theatre in April.  InnOVATION produced Matilda/Matilda Jr in late May, featuring three very talented casts.  Two of these casts were together since the Spring of 2020 and we were overjoyed when they finally got to tell this incredible, magical tale.  

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Summer 2021 featured an elementary musical Winnie the Pooh Kids, performed in masks to the delight of a fully masked audience.  Xanadu Jr featured students ages 10-18 in a zany Disco-themed comedy that was a huge highlight of the summer.  InnOVATION engaged rapid testing for both Matilda and Xanadu Jr productions in order to afford the students the opportunity to optionally perform off mask.  Our audiences still wear masks at all times to protect our performers.  

 

In Fall 2021, the students and staff of InnOVATION will continue to wear face masks, and we will return to temperature checks at the door.  As always, the studio will always be equipped with cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer.  We will practice reasonable distancing, disinfect before and after classes, and monitor the health of our students.  At the discretion of the program director, classes may go online temporarily if it is in the best interest of the students and teachers.  We anticipate live performances for both productions.

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Fall 2021 feels a bit uncertain and a bit hopeful.  For now, we will continue to make musical theatre magic happen, with our masks and Lysol ready!  I am committed to ensuring your student learns and grows with us while keeping them healthy and safe.  InnOVATION has been fortunate to have avoided any COVID outbreaks at the studio, in part due to the diligence of parents who report and quarantine their students.  Let's continue in this manner in order to protect all of our students, especially those who remain too young to be vaccinated.   Thank you to our parents for helping us keep the studio safe, and for believing in the InnOVATION dream to keep long-term training moving forward.  As always, InnOVATION is so thankful for our big, supportive community of teachers, students and parents.  



Here are some examples of precautions taken when offering in-person classes to students:

- classes to take place in large, high ceiling studios with good ventilation.

- students to wear face mask during classes and/or to be distanced to the greatest degree possible/reasonable for the activity taking place.  Face shields or singers masks for indoor singing will be encouraged.

- teachers at minimal contact.

- high touch areas of the studio to be disinfected prior to student's arrival.

- student's temperature to be taken upon arrival, and checked for symptoms of illness.

- no one testing positive for COVID-19 or showing any symptom of illness will be admitted on the premises.

- students will not share items.

- students and parents will wear a face mask when entering the building, as well as in class and  when moving between classes, regardless of vaccination status.

- in-person classes to have maximum registration caps appropriate to the size of rehearsal room/classroom with distancing employed.

*We will update our practices as needed, always with the safety and best interest of our students, teachers, and their families in mind.  



If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at innovationarts.lex@gmail.com or phone at 859-489-2683.  We will continue to stay safe and healthy as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis.  It is my hope that the scheduled programs will offer a perfect balance of maximal safety and maximal freedom to participate for all students who love the performing arts.  I hope to see you and your student soon. You are valuable to us!

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- Miss Mary Joy

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