LAPLACE — Before she starred as Mary Poppins or Belle in St. John the Baptist Parish community theater productions, Chrissy Carter Cifuentes was introduced to the stage as a dancer.

“I knew I could perform through the foundation of going to a dancing school,” Cifuentes said. “There, we starting dancing to Broadway songs, and it brought out a new excitement in me. When I grew older and was introduced to theater, I had an awesome foundation through dance. It goes hand-in-hand.”

Starting in September, Cifuentes will offer vocal, acting and musical theater instruction at Performing Arts Dance Center in LaPlace. The addition sets a new precedent for performing arts enrichment in the River Parishes, according to studio owner Traci Marchetta.

Marchetta reached out to Cifuentes after seeing the widespread involvement and community spirit incited by “Mary Poppins,” “Grease” and other theater productions.

“I thought it would be something special to offer to kids who are interested in dance,” Marchetta said.

“It gives them a little something extra to really push themselves toward. If they want to perform in plays, this is going to be really helpful for them. I also felt like nobody is offering that in the River Parish area. There are two big productions over the summer, and I figured a lot of kids might want extra training in this field.”

Group classes will be held for ages 5 to 9 and ages 10 and up at the Performing Arts Dance Center studio, located at 101 Fairway Drive in LaPlace. Students will learn singing techniques, body movement, how to get into character, how to work the stage and much more for a well-rounded musical theater experience.

Classes last from September through May, and students will have a chance to showcase what they have learned through a performance at the end of the year.

According to Cifuentes, there are also opportunities for private one-on-one lessons, allowing students to focus on specific areas of need.

Classes will likely be held on Wednesday or Thursday. A final schedule is still in the works.

“We haven’t done anything like this in the community before with a dancing school doing voice and acting,” Cifuentes said. “It’s so important our kids in the community have an artistic outlet where they can learn about not only theater, voice and music, but also teamwork, working to get a stage presence and confidence.”

Cifuentes sees River Parish Community Theater as a true family. She has more than a decade of experience in theater, starting under the direction of Greer Millet at St. Charles Catholic High School. She now performs under the direction of Darryl P. Clement.

Some of her most recognizable roles have included Mayzie from “Suessical the Musical,” Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” and Mary Poppins from “Mary Poppins.”

She also performs at St. John Sugar Queen pageants, Krewe du Monde Mardi Gras balls and other community events.

“Theater is a beautiful way to involve, entertain and bring the confidence out in these young people,” she said. “If you’re looking to put your kid in something positive, theater is the way to go. We have so much talent in the River Parishes. A lot of people want to go outside of the parish to other schools, but why not have an outlet to where they can come to a local studio?”

Registration is available now. Please call Performing Arts Dance Center at 986-652-8600 for more information.

Sign-up will also be available at an Open House from 10 to 11 a.m. August 24 at 101 Fairway Drive in LaPlace. According to Marchetta, Cifuentes and up-and-coming actress Jaynee-Lynne “J.L.” Kinchen will be present to take pictures, sign autographs and answer any questions about acting.

Kinchen has appeared in theatrical movies “The Curse of La Llorona” and “Selfless.” She also appeared in “An Enchanted Christmas” on the Hallmark Channel.

Celebrating 23 years in LaPlace, Performing Arts Dance Center also acrobatics, gymnastics, marching, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, classical ballet, point and competition dance.