Virginia's Performing Arts pathway develops expertise in theater, dance, music performance, and live production—preparing students for careers as performers, choreographers, directors, and arts educators. This pathway emphasizes performance skills, artistic interpretation, and technical theater production.
Students study acting, movement, choreography, music theory and performance, stage design, lighting, and sound design. They perform in productions, develop performance pieces, and work on live event production through classroom experiences and community partnerships.
Graduates work as performers, choreographers, dance teachers, theater directors, or performing arts managers. Virginia has vibrant performing arts communities in Richmond, Washington D.C., and throughout the state. Advanced students pursue performing arts at University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and James Madison University.
Performing Arts at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's performing arts standards emphasize technical skill development, artistic expression, and professional performance practices. Standards address both traditional and contemporary performing arts forms.
Students demonstrate competency through performance portfolios, production participation, and artistic assessments. The state partners with performing arts organizations and theaters.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Performing Arts Foundations |
| Acting and Performance |
| Dance and Movement |
| Production and Performance Management |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Illustrator
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - InDesign
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Premiere Pro
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - After Effects
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Visual Design Specialist
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Video Design Specialist
- ✓Unity Certified User - Programmer
- ✓Unity Certified User - Artist
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Dance Instructor
Entry LevelSalary range: $57,960 - $80,440
Theater Director
ExperiencedSalary range: $77,790 - $174,120
Performing Arts Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $77,790 - $174,120
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at theaters, performance venues, dance studios, and performing arts organizations throughout Virginia and the Washington D.C. region.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in National Thespian Society, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Ready to Build Performing Arts Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Performing Arts in Virginia.