VANCOUVER PERFORMING STARS OPENS NEW STUDIO AND THEATRE, EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS

VANCOUVER PERFORMING STARS OPENS NEW STUDIO AND THEATRE,
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS

A New Stage For Youth To Grow, Connect And Belong Through The Arts

Vancouver Performing Stars (VPS), one of Vancouver’s most trusted and inclusive performing arts studios, proudly announces the opening of its new 5,000-square-foot studio and 80-seat theatre at the corner of 4th and Quebec in Mount Pleasant. This expansion marks a major milestone for VPS, which has grown from humble beginnings into a vibrant creative hub serving over 1,500 students across nine locations each week.

Founded in 2012 by professional performer and entrepreneur Katy Finlay, VPS was born from a desire to provide high-calibre, accessible arts education to young performers of all backgrounds. What began as two parent-and-tot classes at a local community centre has blossomed into a cornerstone of the city’s arts education landscape, offering programs in musical theatre, acting, jazz, tap, hip hop, breakdancing, acro and voice.

“At VPS, we believe in more than just training for the stage—we develop essential life skills,” says Finlay. “We foster resilience, confidence, creativity and community in every child that walks through our doors.”

Whether students are taking their first dance steps or dreaming of Broadway, VPS provides a supportive space for children and teens to explore their passions and grow into confident, well-rounded individuals. With a focus on accessibility, VPS ensures that no student is left behind, regardless of financial circumstance. The studio’s programming ranges from recreational to intensive training and company productions, with a strong emphasis on community values, personal growth and self-expression.

The newly opened space will not only serve as the creative home of VPS’s arts training programs but will also host an exciting new initiative: SparkLab Youth Arts Festival, presented in partnership with the newly formed non-profit organization VanPlay Stage Society. Taking place in early September, SparkLab is a youth-led festival celebrating diverse voices and empowering young artists through dance, theatre, spoken word, and music. The festival aims to remove financial barriers and provide an inclusive platform for performance, workshops, and artistic collaboration—by youth, for youth.

“As someone who poured everything—heart, time and finances—into building this community, it’s incredibly moving to hear students speak about the impact VPS has had on their lives,” says Finlay. “It’s more than I ever imagined. VPS is a second family to many of these young artists.”

To see VPS’s young artists in action, check out their 10-to-12-year-old theatre company’s upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland, running from May 22nd to 25th at the VPS theatre.

Tickets are available here.

About Vancouver Performing Stars
Vancouver Performing Stars is a trusted performing arts studio for the community that offers a variety of music, theatre and movement classes to children ages one to 18 and select adult classes. VPS serves the community with programs across Vancouver in community centres and a home studio and 80-seat theatre at East 4th and Quebec. From ballet, jazz, tap, acro and hip hop to voice lessons, acting and musical theatre, we strive to offer community programs that are continually growing with our students. By learning technique and confidence through song and play, children can hone their skills as performers while developing a love for the arts. Learn more at: https://www.performingstars.ca/

About VanPlay Society
VanPlay Stage Society believes every artist deserves the opportunity to explore their creative potential, develop critical life skills, and become an empowered agent of positive social change. Our non-profit organization cultivates artistic excellence and leadership by supporting artists at every stage of their journey. We believe that every dreamer deserves the opportunity to explore their creative potential, develop critical life skills, and become an empowered agent of positive social change. Learn more at: https://www.vanplaystagesociety.ca/

About SparkLab Youth Arts Festival
SparkLab brings youth together in a festival that empowers artists to share their stories through performance–by youth, for youth. Through dance, theatre, spoken word, and music, this festival provides an inclusive platform where young artists from all backgrounds come together to share their talents. Led by a diverse youth advisory board, SparkLab stands as a celebration of creativity, diversity, and the power of artistic expression. Learn more at https://www.vanplaystagesociety.ca/projects