Paramount School of the Arts

- 20 S Stolp Ave, Aurora, IL 60505

For residents across the Chicagoland area and specifically in the dynamic city of Aurora, Illinois, the quest for exceptional performing arts education often leads to the Paramount School of the Arts. This institution is not merely a place for learning; it is a dedicated artistic hub nestled within the vibrant John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center, right next to the historic Paramount Theatre. It is conceived as a brave, welcoming space for people of all ages—from young children just beginning to explore their creativity to adults and seniors looking to pursue lifelong artistic dreams—to develop their talents in theater, dance, music, and the visual arts.

The school is committed to being an accessible and transformative force in the community, providing an environment where students can build confidence, learn perseverance, and amplify their unique creative voices and visions. Whether your goal is to pursue a professional career on stage or simply to enrich your life with the joy of artistic expression, Paramount School of the Arts is structured to support every step of that journey. It connects students with experienced teaching artists, many of whom are professionals seen on the Paramount Theatre stage, ensuring a high-quality, practical education.

The foundational mission of the school aligns with the broader mission of the Aurora Civic Center Authority, which is to be a defining catalyst for personal and community transformation. This is achieved by making the performing arts accessible across every age group and socioeconomic background, introducing the magic of live theater and creative expression to encourage expansive imaginations and broad views within the community. The educational offerings are diverse, reflecting a comprehensive approach to arts development that goes beyond just performance to include technical, design, and behind-the-scenes disciplines.

As a key component of the revitalized downtown Aurora arts scene, the school helps solidify the area as a major regional destination for arts and culture, attracting both students and patrons from Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and Will Counties, and beyond. Its location next to the renowned Paramount Theatre—a major venue for the highly-regarded Broadway Series—provides a unique and inspiring connection to professional performance art that few local schools can match.

Paramount School of the Arts is advantageously located in the heart of downtown Aurora, Illinois, specifically within the John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center. The official address for the facility is: 20 S Stolp Ave, Aurora, IL 60505, USA. This prime location places it right next door to the historic Paramount Theatre, making it a central and identifiable landmark for the arts in the city.

The facility is situated on Stolp Island, an easily accessible area for those driving into the city center. For local users in Illinois, particularly those in the western suburbs of Chicago, the location is a convenient drive and is part of a growing, vibrant district that includes affordable artist housing, rehearsal spaces, and a restaurant, all contributing to a true arts district atmosphere.

Accessibility is a recognized priority for the institution. The building includes key features designed to welcome everyone:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot

This commitment to accessibility ensures that as many community members as possible can partake in the school’s educational and creative offerings. Ample parent waiting areas and a lobby are also provided, creating a comfortable space for families and students to relax before or after classes. The integration within the John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center, which also houses other artistic and community-focused elements, solidifies its role as a regional resource that is both easy to find and fully equipped to serve a diverse population.

Paramount School of the Arts offers a wide variety of arts classes and programs designed for all skill levels and ages, from six months old up to adults and seniors. The curriculum covers the full spectrum of performing and visual arts. Offerings include:

• Arts Education and Classes: General enrollment classes in various artistic realms.
• Theater Classes and Workshops: Covering acting fundamentals, stage presence, improv, and scene study.
• Dance Classes: A rhythmic journey through various styles, promoting self-expression and building strong technique.
• Musical Theater: Training combining acting, vocal performance, and dance.
• Music and More Classes: Encompassing musical instruments, vocal technique, songwriting, and even technical aspects like costume design, crafts, and props building.
• Private Instruction: Individual coaching sessions for musical instruments, vocal performance, dance, acting, and audition preparation.
• Adult Classes: Artistic training for seasoned performers or beginners exploring a new passion.
• Audition Programs / Institutes (e.g., Youth Theater Conservatory, Musical Theater Institute): Intensive, pre-professional training for older students planning to study or perform professionally.
• Staff Support: Professional faculty composed of teaching artists and industry professionals.
• Theater Arts and Costume Design: Classes exploring the technical and behind-the-scenes elements of production.
• Classes for Children ('Good for kids'): Programs tailored for early childhood, including creative dramatics and Kindermusik, as well as programs for teens.

The school's facilities and programs offer several unique highlights that distinguish it as a premier arts education institution in Illinois:

• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Housed in the John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center, the school features over 20 private studios, 10 large classroom spaces, a dedicated dance studio, and the beautiful McKee Studio Theatre, a flexible performance and studio space.
• Affiliation with Paramount Theatre: Direct access and relationship with the nationally recognized Paramount Theatre, providing students with exposure to high-level professional productions, sometimes including opportunities for behind-the-scenes looks and master classes with Broadway Series professionals.
• Professional Teaching Artists: Instruction is led by some of the finest teaching artists and professionals in the country, many of whom have performed on the Paramount Theatre stage.
• Comprehensive Programming: The curriculum is designed to offer “one-stop shopping for the arts,” covering theater, dance, music, and technical theater for students of all ages and abilities.
• Commitment to Accessibility: The school is highly accessible, offering a scholarship fund and financial assistance to ensure dreams become a reality for any student who asks, embodying the principle of INNOVATION, ACCESSIBILITY, and COMMUNITY.
• Dedicated Performance Spaces: Students have opportunities for performance events, recitals, and theatrical productions in dedicated spaces, including the McKee Studio Theatre, and in some cases, on the historic Paramount Theatre stage itself.

For more information on class schedules, enrollment, or general inquiries, the Paramount School of the Arts can be reached using the following details:

• Address: 20 S Stolp Ave, Aurora, IL 60505, USA (Located in the John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center)
• Phone: (630) 896-6810

Choosing the Paramount School of the Arts means selecting a highly professional, comprehensive, and accessible arts education experience in the heart of Illinois's thriving arts community. The quality of instruction, the state-of-the-art environment, and the professional affiliation with the Paramount Theatre’s Broadway Series create a learning opportunity that is truly unique. This institution is more than a school; it is a creative force working to cultivate the next generation of artists, patrons, and confident individuals in the Aurora area and surrounding Illinois suburbs.

It is important for prospective students and their families to note the school's position as a regional arts destination and its dedication to the community. However, as with any bustling arts center integrated into a mixed-use environment, individuals should be aware of potential neighborhood impacts. One public review did mention occasional noise concerns regarding a new sound system, which, while not a reflection of the educational quality, is a detail to keep in mind regarding the building's residential neighbors. Additionally, a highly personal experience detailed in a separate review suggested a feeling of being 'different' and 'ignored' by peers. While these isolated peer-to-peer social issues are common in any group environment, the school's stated mission is to be a "safe place to push yourself" and "amplify your creative voice," implying a foundational commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive learning atmosphere. Prospective attendees are encouraged to engage with the school's welcoming staff and take advantage of the numerous classes and performance opportunities that are a source of pride for the entire Illinois community.

Ultimately, the Paramount School of the Arts offers a rigorous, inspiring, and fully-equipped pathway for artistic growth, ensuring that all students—from the naturally imaginative child to the risk-taking adult—have the resources to succeed and grow as artists and as better human beings.

Paramount School of the Arts

20 S Stolp Ave, Aurora, IL 60505, USA