The Fox Theatre’s All-Access Pass Program is a standout educational initiative offering high school juniors and seniors an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at vocational careers in the performing arts.
As the newest sector of the Fox Gives initiative, the All-Access Pass Program began in the 2024/2025 academic year with Hart County High School, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, and Rockdale County High School.
“Fox Gives All-Access Pass Program is powerful – giving students a behind-the-scenes look at the wide range of careers in the entertainment industry,” Fox Theatre President and CEO Allan Vella shared. “These young people are the future of our workforce, and too often, they don’t realize how many paths are open to them within the arts. The All-Access Pass Program aims to change that.”
The Fox Theatre is excited to continue this hands-on, mentorship-driven program, and is currently accepting applications for 2025/2026. The All-Access Pass Program is open to Title I public schools in Georgia within 150 miles of the Fox Theatre. Eligible schools must have an active performing arts program and demonstrate a commitment to student involvement in the arts and community engagement. The program requires a maximum of 30 high school students from three schools for the upcoming academic year. The application deadline is May 9, 2025.
All-Access Pass Program highlights include:
- Industry Engagement: Participants will connect with professionals across theater operations, production, marketing and more both at the Fox and in regional theaters
- Hands-On Learning: Students will engage in shadowing experiences with dedicated Fox Theatre professionals to gain practical insights in forming and maintaining a career in the performing arts
- Live Performances: Students will enjoy complimentary access to select live performances at the Fox Theatre and regional theaters
- Career Workshops: The session includes curated workshops and interactive discussions to explore various career opportunities both on stage and off stage
- Exclusive Resources: Participants will receive mentorship, networking opportunities and other important tools to support their journey in the performing arts industry.
On April 17, current All-Access Pass Program students from KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School and Rockdale County High School were split into groups and rotated through a variety of sessions with Fox Theatre professionals. The sessions included talent buyer pricing, ticketing, social media marketing, guest experiences and more.
In the social media marketing session hosted by Senior Marketing Manager Maya Garner, students were asked to create a marketing roll-out campaign for an upcoming Broadway production at Fox Theatre. One group of students, who only had five minutes to complete the task, shared that they would record Peter Pan dancing to the most current TikTok songs in different iconic locations around the theater and city.
“I may have to steal these ideas,” Garner joked.
In another session with Guest Experience Coordinator Megan Payne, students were given the challenge of what to do if they had a guest in the wrong seat during a show. The students were quick to come up with solutions to these real-life issues that Fox Theatre employees face during their days at work.
“So much of what we hope to create through the All-Access Pass Program is a generational appreciation for the performing arts,” Fox Gives Director of Community Partnerships Leigh Burns said. “More than anything, we want the students involved to have joy and the opportunity to step outside of their day-to-day lives to create memories with others.”
“The best part of my job is when someone tells me their “Fox Story'” so I’m fortunate to know that these kids are creating their own,” Burns added.
“The coolest part of this program is that it made the privilege of professional theatre accessible,” Paige Hutchison, Rockdale County High School theater teacher, said. “Out of my class of over thirty students, only two kids have ever been to Fox Theatre.”
“These programs display what a theater career can look like and prove that you can blend interests and still be under the umbrella of the arts,” Hutchinson added, “You can be a physical therapist who is on tour with a traveling show, which is not necessarily something you would initially think of as a possibility.”
After the students rotated through their working sessions, they enjoyed lunch at the Fox Theatre’s Marquee Club and then attended a technical theatre masterclass workshop with Technical Director, Designer and Technician Kyle Ankiel. By the end of the shadowing day, students had seen a true behind-the-scenes day in the life of the Fox Theatre and could further dream big about their own careers in the arts.
Additionally, as part of the Fox Theatre’s ongoing investment in high schools with performing arts education, they will offer one $5,000 scholarship to an outstanding student to further their education at a college, university, or technical school. This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance for education to undergraduate students who are committed to studying performing arts, technical theater, arts education, film or arts management.
The scholarship will be available to students enrolled in the current All-Access Pass program, which includes Hart County High School, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, and Rockdale County High School. Applications are available for these current students by contacting the Fox Theatre’s Education Manager, Carly Lovell.
For more information on the All-Access Pass Program or to access an application, click here.
Beautiful I’m in tears
I did not see where to apply. Do I apply through the school.
My daughter is a student at Ronald .E.McNair high.
https://www.foxtheatre.org/community-partnerships/all-access-pass