Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Armstrong.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I moved to Chicago from Arizona after completing my Master’s degree in Theatre Education and Outreach. I was working with a company here in Chicago for a few years when our boss took off with a whole lot of money in tuition, our salaries, and equipment. We found ourselves unemployed with a lot of disappointed students and parents looking to us. One of our parents went to Gordon Tech (the school our former boss rented space from) and told them we have the skills and following, would they sponsor a camp? And they did. In the summer of 2012 with the incredible support of our parents and Gordon Tech HS, Infinity Arts Academy was started. We are almost to our 6th year and so incredibly blessed to get to do what we love. We literally hit the ground running in 2012 and haven’t stopped!
Please tell us about your art.
Infinity Arts Academy provides life changing education. I could say we provide life changing education in the performing arts, but that is too narrow and doesn’t encompass what our students and parents tell us has the most impact for them. We provide a safe, challenging, fun environment for our students to train in their craft: musical theatre, film, dance, voice, and acting. We teach life skills and interpersonal skills while giving a solid education in the foundation of the arts. Through our classes, performance and film companies, and lessons our students are given the opportunities to excel and the encouragement to push themselves further while supporting and cheering on their friends. We are a family. We learn just as much from our failures as our successes. Each film, musical, recital, class, or recital gives us the opportunity not only to shine in our work, but to learn and share our passion with others.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Reach out. Ask, join, watch. Many of our students have issues in school, with bullying, shyness, or just not feeling they fit it. Artists tend to feel so much and that can be overwhelming and isolating, especially in kids. We encourage our students to reach out, to ask, to go and see art. The connections will come. Be brave and join, your life will change for the better.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
We are always on the move, doing multiple shows and films a year! Our website has our calendar and our social media has all our events. www.infinityartschicago.com Our Spring Session performances and Recital will be held at Stage 773 on Belmont. Spring Recital is May 20th. Our Repertory Company ages 13-17 is performing “They Mystery of Edwin Drood” June 7-10 and our Conservatory Company ages 7-12 is performing “Disney’s Aladdin, Jr” from June 14-17. We have another Film Premiere coming up on April 14th from 5-9 p.m. at IAA-3633 N. California Ave. 3rd floor of DePaul College Prep HS (Formerly Gordon Tech) 60618
Contact Info:
- Address: Infinity Arts Academy, LLC
3633 N. California Ave. 3rd floor
Chicago, IL 60618 - Website: www.infinityartschicago.com
- Phone: 773-423-5058
- Email: dana.infinityarts@gmail.com
- Instagram: infinityartschicago
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfinityArtsAcademyChicago/
- Twitter: @IAAChicago
Image Credit:
All pics by Infinity Arts Academy
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