PAC’s Kids are the students of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation’s Performing Arts Camp program at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, GA. Since the Performing Arts Camp was established in 1999, the camp has provided quality training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents. The Center fosters an environment that encourages freedom of expression, serves as a resource for the arts, and empowers through education. The PAC’s Kids are exposed to various aspects of the performing arts, which have included are Acting, Creative Writing, Dance, Vocal Training, Set/Stage Design, Video Production and the Business of Entertainment. The camp provides a positive communal environment for children to discover and nurture their talents and interests in the performance arts.
The instructors are world-renowned artists and industry professionals whose commitment to TASF’s mission is clearly demonstrated by the students’ performances. Dance Classes Instructor/Choreographer Junella Cooper’s experience includes working with Destiny's Child, Beyonce', McHammer, Ciara and more.
Acting Class Instructor, Myra Brown’s experience includes working in film, television, and stage. She has also been the off Broadway Play "The Test of Time", and has worked with many of the top actors today. "One of her prize students is Kihrey Batiste, who currently appears on, "The House of Payne.”
Along with artistic opportunities, PAC’s Kids create a peer group to provide real world education and support to each other. With students aged 12-18 attending the program, the older kids act as peer counselors to the younger students providing support and a listening ear. “Each One, Teach One” as Tupac would say.
To date, over 700 students ages 12-18 have participated in the year-round program. Graduates of the program have gone on to study at The Alvin Ailey Dance Center in New York; perform on Broadway; and tour with Latoya Luckett. Pac’s Kids have performed on various television shows including “Good Day Atlanta,” sold out shows at the Rialto Theater in Atlanta with their production “Shoulders of Giants” as well as other being invited to perform in Los Angeles at the Staples Center for the VH1-Save the Music “Battle of the Marching Bands” in November 2006, KUBE 93’s - Black Music Month and the Mayor's Award for Excellence in Hip Hop Seattle in February 2007. The troop also performed at the Trumpet Awards Showcase in January 2008.
Throughout Tupac Shakur’s life and years since his untimely passing, he has become an inspiration for generation of aspiring artists the world over. Pac’s Kids are the purest reflection of Tupac’s spirit, his energy – and his ultimate message of hope.
Publicity contact: Tre’ Maxie (404) 597-1253 • Tre@TASF.org
Booking contact: Rita Greenidge or Mario Carson (404) 298-4222
email: Mjmpg@hotmail.com MarioDCarson@yahoo.com
