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The Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy, now in its 18th year, wrapped up its 2015 summer theater experience for young performers with a fully staged production of the children’s musical “Seussical Jr.” at 4 p.m. on August 1 in Steele Hall Mainstage Theatre.

Quinn Whitehead, 13, (Fayette City) gets fitted for his costume in the Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy's production of Seussical, Jr.

Hosted by Cal U’s Department of Theatre and Dance, the academy gives students ages 8-17 an opportunity to study musical theater. After acting, voice and dance classes and rehearsals, students present a musical complete with stage sets, costumes and props.

Thirty-four MVPs — Mon Valley Performers — participated in this year’s academy. Students study and rehearse from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

“Seussical Jr.,” with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, is a family-oriented musical featuring characters from the popular books by the late Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss.

“I have been waiting for the time to be right for our academy to tackle this, and I don't think I can express how excited I am that now is that time,” said Dr. Michele Pagen, the academy’s artistic director and the chair of the theater department.

The Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre, the same organization that has accredited Cal U’s Bachelor of Arts in Theatre program since 2005.

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