The Center for Performing and Fine Arts

05/25/2026

USP and CPFA Junior Akshaj (AJ) Gupta was accepted by audition to the prestigious Stanford Jazz Institute, an in-residency jazz education program that runs concurrently with the Standford Jazz Workshop concert series each summer. AJ will spend the week of July 26-31, 2026 living in the dorms at Stanford University in Stanford, California taking classes in jazz theory, ear training, and jazz combo rehearsals, enjoying nightly concerts performed by jazz professionals at the Workshop. The faculty of the Stanford Jazz Institute are some of the most accomplished jazz professionals on the west coast.

Additionally, AJ's audition performance earned him a $500 scholarship to lower the family's cost of tuition for this incredible opportunity. Congratulations to AJ on this outstanding accomplishment.

IMAGE: AJ Gupta (guitar) with the CPFA Jazz Mavericks at the Festivals of Music - Myrtle Beach 2026

05/24/2026

The Center for Performing and Fine Arts at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School (PALCS) once again has distinguished itself at the Philadelphia Independence Awards.

The theatre department's production of "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812" received 10 nominations and won in the following categories:

Best Show: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Best Ensemble: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Best Female Vocalist: Scarlett Horoho (class of 2026)
Best Female Actress: Scarlett Horoho (class of 2026)
Best Male Actor: Zane Zangwill (class of 2026)
Best Creative Leadership: Ciara McFadden (class of 2027)
Jimmy Award: Scarlett Horoho
Jimmy Award: Zane Zangwill

As Jimmy Award recipients, both Scarlett and Zane will be attending an intensive Broadway workshop in New York City this June. They will stay on campus at Julliard for the week and collaborate on a performance with the other national Jimmy Award recipients. This is only CPFA's second year participating in the Philadelphia Independence Awards, and it is quite rare to have the two Jimmy Award recipients from our region be given to actors from the same production.

Here is coverage of the awards event on 6 ABC, featuring Scarlett and Zane.

https://6abc.com/post/local-jimmy-awards-nominees-named-miller-theater/19144662/

Congratulations to show director Brigitte Rottman and the entire cast, crew, and production team!

It was a celebration of local high school theater in Center City Tuesday night.

05/23/2026

We are incredibly proud of the entire cast and crew of "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812" for this outstanding accomplishment. This is only CPFA's third year of participation in The Philadelphia Independence Awards

05/12/2026

Don’t miss your chance to catch some of CPFA’s final performances and events of the school year! Full schedules and details can be found at cpfa.info under “Events and News.”

🎨 Spring Art Exhibition
Thursday, May 14 | 4:00–6:30 PM
Featuring work from middle and high school visual arts students, including photography, sculpture, drawing & painting, and graphic design.

🎭 Theatre & Film Festivals
🎬 Film Festival: Friday, May 15 | 6:00–8:30 PM
🎭 Theatre Festival: Saturday, May 16 | 9:00 AM–8:00 PM
Held at CPFA in the M.G. Allen Theatre.

🎸🤸‍♀️ Middle School Showcase of the Arts
Monday, May 18 | Beginning at 8:00 AM
A full day of theatre, dance, music, and visual arts performances. Guests are welcome! Please bring a photo ID to sign into the building.

🎹🎻 Instrumental Music Concert
Tuesday, May 19 | 7:00–9:00 PM
Calvary Lutheran Church, West Chester, PA
A livestream link will be available on cpfa.info.

🎓🎼 Senior Music Recital
Thursday, May 21 | 7:00–8:00 PM
CPFA • M.G. Allen Theatre

🎭🎓 And last, but certainly not least, CPFA will host the premiere of Morning Sun, directed by Alyssa Marsh (Class of 2026)!

05/07/2026

Thank you to the CPFA community and the Parents Association CPFA for your generosity and kindness during Teacher Appreciation Week!

05/07/2026

Throwback to the 2025 Philadelphia Independence Awards!

05/04/2026

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

04/30/2026

We have more good news! ⭐️ CPFA is thrilled and grateful to have received 10 nominations for Lend me A Tenor from The Greater Philadelphia Cappies.
The Cappies program is an incredible way to recognize and nurture high school theater and journalism students. 100% student led, The Cappies provide students with exposure to diverse plays and musicals, opportunities to develop writing skills, and promote local community awareness of schools and arts programs.

Huge congratulations to all of the talented Cappies nominees from across the greater Philadelphia area, and thank you to our amazing community for their love and support! ⭐️

04/28/2026

We are so proud of these students for all of their hard work, dedication, and love for their craft ⭐️