At the core of MTA’s success is our proven STAR Process. STAR, which stands for Set, Teach, Assess and Results, allows MTA to help each student maximize their experience and individual potential. Here is how it works:

SET - When a student first enrolls with MTA, they participate in an exciting group “audition” with MTA’s experienced teaching staff. While the new students work through a series of simple and fun routines overseen by MTA’s Artistic Director, the trained MTA Assessment staff observes and takes notes on each student’s baseline ability in a variety of life and performance skill categories. These include confidence levels, social skills and communication abilities, as well as a student’s experience in a performance environment. This information, along with their application questionnaire, is then reviewed by the entire MTA Assessment and teaching staff who SET goals for the student that will best help them realize their potential during their time at the academy. These goals then become a part of the student’s STAR Script where all information and progress on the student’s growth is recorded. Then, the real magic of the MTA STAR Process begins.

TEACH - Based on the results of the “audition” and the goals that have been established, EVERY student is awarded a role in that cycle’s production which will best fit their performance-level ability, while at the same time offering them an opportunity to grow in all the life-skill areas that the MTA program reinforces. Under the direction of MTA’s Artistic Director, the MTA teaching staff works each week to help the students achieve their goals through a unique and effective learning process. Through group interaction, individual training and goal-oriented projects, each student is nurtured in a learning environment that is fun, exciting and engaging. Under the umbrella of a full-scale, musical theatre production, the MTA staff TEACH a student how to reach beyond their horizons to be the best that they can be.

ASSESS - At the end of each week, the MTA teaching staff meet to ASSESS the student’s progress. At that point, key improvements are reviewed, new potential is discussed and the student’s program is adjusted in order to maximize their learning curve for the following week. The new information is added to each student’s STAR Script, which the staff uses to make sure efforts are coordinated and unified.

RESULTS – This process of teaching, assessing and refining continues during the entire four-month cycle ultimately leading up to a student’s “graduation.” This is where the students get the chance to show themselves, and a very appreciative audience, all they have learned by participating in a series of performances on-stage at a Broadway-style theatre complete with professional costuming, set design, full lighting and sound systems and live musical accompaniment. After the final curtain, the students attend a “cast” party where they are given an MTA Certificate of Accomplishment along with a report on all that they have achieved.

Each time the student returns to MTA, their STAR Script is reviewed and a new set of goals are defined so that with each new cycle a student can build on their past success to reach higher dreams.