School of the Arts
S.O.T.A.
S.O.T.A. is an after-school theater program for students aged 12-18. We meet every Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and offer various camps and workshops throughout the year. Our program is designed for students with a passion for theater arts and vocal performance, whether they are beginners or experienced.
At S.O.T.A., our focus is on high-quality theater education, including stage movement, voice, character development, and script interpretation.
Our ultimate goal is to provide our students with an exceptional artistic education that not only enhances their theatrical skills but also equips them with practical life skills that can be applied outside of the stage.
At S. O.T.A., we value every child's distinct God-given gifts and abilities. Our classes aim to educate and guide students while demonstrating God's love for them; helping them become pillars for others. Although our focus is on producing outstanding shows with our students, our ultimate goal is to see them blossom into the individuals God intended them to be. At The Seeing Place, we strive to equip our students with the tools to see themselves, God, and others with clarity. We achieve this through music, theater, friendships, and mentorship.
Get ready to unwrap the timeless stories that brought our favorite Christmas carols to life.
Under the guidance of their dedicated teacher, a high school drama class receives an invitation to perform at the prestigious Advent Sing Festival in Vienna, Austria. Excited yet apprehensive by the challenge, the students must rehearse and connect with timeless carols composed centuries ago.
As they delve into their preparations, they struggle to find meaning and relevance in the old songs. To bridge this gap, their teacher introduces a series of vignettes, each dramatizing the true story behind a beloved Christmas carol.
The students' journey through history takes them from the serene origins of “Silent Night” in an Austrian village to the festive transformation of a Welsh New Year’s tune into “Deck the Halls.” They discover how “O Holy Night” emerged from a French poem and how a simple sleigh ride in Massachusetts inspired “Jingle Bells.”
With each vignette, the students bring to life the characters and contexts that birthed these carols. As they enact these stories, they gain a deeper appreciation and emotional connection to the music.
Their rehearsal transforms into an enlightening journey, allowing them to understand and embody the joy, hope, and unity that these carols represent. By the time the festival arrives, the students are not just performing songs but sharing the rich, inspiring histories that have made these carols a timeless part of the Christmas tradition.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, 2024 at 7:00 pm.
WHERE: The Seeing Place (Formerly Legacy Theater Company). 315 Winchester Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540
TICKETS: Tickets are $15 for adults in the Gold Seating, $13 for adults in the Silver Seating, and $8 for children under 12.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 910-548-6323 or clicking the link below.
LICENSING: This is an original production written by Erika Bain.
The Fall Session is full.
Because of the overwhelming support for our SOTA program, we are looking to add a class on Monday and Tuesday from 4pm-6pm. If you would like more information OR would like to be added to the list for a Monday or Tuesday class, please fill out the form below.