Naperville, IL

(630) 243-5100

Same Programming, New Name! Academy of the Arts is now Illinois Conservatory for the Arts

Join Us:

IMAGINE: An Evening of Inspiration

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Registration Open:

THE STUDIO: Session 2

Nov. 6 - Dec. 18

Coming up:

IMPACT: Musical Theatre

Winter | January 2-5, 2025

As the Director of Arts DuPage, Debbie Venezia is a champion for the arts, dedicated to sharing the county’s vibrant cultural environment with residents and visitors alike. She believes art plays an important role in academic studies but is saddened that it is the first area to get cut in tough economic times.

“I am so grateful that Dylan Ladd is bringing the Academy of the Arts to Naperville – maybe it is a sign that the tides are changing!” she said.

In this Q & A, Debbie Venezia talks about the importance of visual arts in education.

Why is it important for children to express themselves by producing artwork?

Through art, children can freely express themselves and convey their feelings even though they may lack the vocabulary to do so. Art also stimulates the imagination and engages curiosity. According to the International Child Art Foundation, “Research indicates that a child who is exposed to the arts acquires a special ability to think creatively, be original, discover, innovate, and create intellectual property—key attributes for individual success and social prosperity in the twenty-first century.” Additionally, art facilitates communication and encourages a collaborative spirit. Children working together can share resources and ideas, build social skills, and form friendships, which will help them throughout their lifetime. 

How does art fit into their general education?

I think art is every bit as important as science and math in the curriculum and could be used to promote the understanding of both.  Art can improve comprehension and make the subjects more relatable. By integrating art, students can visualize problems and concepts, making abstract ideas more relevant and accessible, which will help them throughout their lives.  In 2016, Americans for the Arts collected data from The College Board that indicates students who took four years of arts and music classes in high school outperformed non-arts students by scoring an average of 92 points higher on their SATs.

Does producing art also provide health benefits?

Reports have shown that one out of three students today face high levels of anxiety and depression, and many are turning to art therapy to reduce their symptoms. Art has qualities that will help combat stress, facilitate a mind-body connection, and aid in the healing process. Art also enhances cognitive abilities, fosters self-confidence, and increases acceptance, leading to a greater sense of well-being and a happier lifestyle.

Do you think it is especially important for students considering entering the world of performing arts, and if so, why?

Students engaging in performing arts will experience myriad benefits that will help them on so many levels in every aspect of their lives! Performing arts will help build self-confidence, enhance communication skills, bring awareness to diverse cultures, and expand one’s imagination. Being a part of a team will boost social skills and open doors to other possibilities inside and outside the school environment. The training provides tools that will continue to positively impact the future, both professionally and personally, for all who study this powerful art form.

Can you speak a little about your own visual art education?

I majored in fashion design and minored in art, so I took quite a few visual art courses. I remember them because not only did they challenge me, but they also were the most rewarding classes in my educational experience. Through them, I learned skills that helped me analyze and interpret work for presentations, think creatively and conceptualize artistic ideas. Additionally, I befriended five fellow art students and our friendship remains strong today. One class that had the biggest influence on my life was high school Cinema Study, an academic discipline that approaches film as an art form and a medium of education. Students learned historical, analytical, and critical aspects of film while watching and discussing movies from other cultures and eras.

 I later established the After Hours Film Society, a not-for-profit organization that has been bringing foreign, art, and independent film to the western suburbs for 33 years. In 2004, we launched a student film festival that gained international recognition. We just announced the winners from this year’s competition (18 students from five countries, ranging in ages from 10 to 45). In our way, we are encouraging the next wave of filmmakers.

JANUARY 2–5, 2025

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IMPACT is popular and fills up fast! You'll be forwarded to the registration form to grab your spot.

Chaz Wolcott / Dance

Chaz Wolcott is an actor, director and choreographer based in New York City, and is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. He earned his BFA in Dance from Oklahoma City University.

As a performer, Chaz has been seen as Buttons on the First National Tour of Disney’s Newsies. You can also catch Chaz’s performance in Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical, available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon. Chaz also starred in the 30th Anniversary Tour of Cats as the Magical Mr. Mistoffelees. Chaz was featured on FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance. Favorite regional credits include: 42nd Street (Andy Lee), Mary Poppins, Gypsy, Legally Blonde and productions at Music Theatre of Wichita, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, The Gateway, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Fulton Theatre, The Fireside, Casa Mañana, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Gretna Theatre and more.

Emily Kristen Morris / Voice

Emily Kristen Morris is an NYC-based actor, singer, dancer, certified vocal instructor, and popular online content creator (1.7 Million followers on TikTok). Emily has performed across the nation and internationally, and was most recently the Elphaba standby on the Broadway national tour of WICKED. Currently, Emily is starring as Elsa in Paramount Theatre’s production of Frozen. Her past theatre credits include: Bea in the national tour of Something Rotten, White Plains Performing Arts Center (Daisy in Side Show), The Rev (Sophie in Mamma Mia), Cape Playhouse, the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra (Nellie in South Pacific in concert), Gateway Playhouse, Weston Playhouse, and New York Musical Theatre Festival. Emily has also performed as a solo vocalist with symphony orchestras, including the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra in China, and the Norwalk Symphony. Her voice is also featured on Joey Contreras’ new album “In Pieces.” On social media Emily is popular for her voice-teaching videos, her singing covers, and her vocal-coach-reacts videos. When she’s not performing, Emily runs her highly sought-after voice studio, EKM Vocal Studio, where she teaches lessons, masterclasses and workshops to passionate singers both virtually and in-person in NYC. Emily is certified through the Institute For Vocal Advancement (IVA), and received her BFA in musical theatre from the University of Cincinnati; College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

Salisha Thomas / Acting

SALISHA Thomas is a Broadway performer, author, former Miss California, a commercial and voiceover artist, a producer and director, vlogger, blogger, and media personality. She performed in the 1st National Touring and Broadway companies of Beautiful the Carole King Musical, and the Britney Spears Musical: Once Upon a One More Time. She’s the host of Black Hair in the Big Leagues and The Salisha Show podcasts and the red carpet correspondent for The Broadway Podcast Network. @theSalishashow www.thesalishashow.com

Patrick Maravilla / Casting

Born and raised in California, Patrick started as a performer but quickly fell in love with casting. As a Pisces with a Taurus moon, he aims to bring joy and light to the table while cultivating an inclusive and equitable space. Some of his favorite casting credits include Chicago, A Wonderful World, Peter Pan (National Tour), Gatsby, Life of Pi, Destiny of Desire, and Come Fall in Love!

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Fill out the form below to get on the interest list for The Studio: Fall 2024. We will update you with schedules and registration information mid-summer.

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The Pilot Program for ICA’s K-12 day school is launching Fall 2025.

Fill out the form below to get on the official interest list and access the survey form. Applications will open in Early Spring 2025.