APAC
The Academy Performing Arts Company (APAC) is affiliated with the Academy of Dance, and is an organization devoted to dance as a performing art. The group originated in 1979 and its membership is by invitation or audition.
APAC members perform charitably and competitively throughout the United States, including having won over 2300 first- and second-place trophies in dance competitions in major cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New York City, Orlando, San Francisco, Springfield, Illinois, Springfield, Missouri, and St. Louis.
APAC members have also performed at the Eagles National Convention in Louisville, where $30,000 was donated in the name of the Academy of Dance to the Cancer Research Center; in New Year’s Day halftime activities at the Citrus, Outback and Orange Bowls; in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; in the Walt Disney World Parade; and in the Miss Wisconsin USA Pageant. Three of its members were also selected to perform with the Dance Sensations National Dance Troupe in Branson, Missouri’s Silver Dollar City Theme Park. APAC members also perform frequently for numerous organizations and festivals in Racine and southeastern Wisconsin. Alumni have gone on to perform as Rockettes, Bucks Dancers, Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders and at both Disneyland and Disney World. Numerous members have competed in the Miss America organization and have held many local and state titles. Most recently, one of our former APAC members, Jennifer Schmidt, was crowned Miss Wisconsin 2021.
APAC members spend hours of hard work developing proficiency in ballet, tap, jazz and musical theater dancing in preparation for performances and competitions. They learn solo, duet, trio and small- and large-group numbers, as well as technique, showmanship, makeup and costume design. The members’ goals are high, but they realize that what they learn from each other in working together as a group is the most rewarding experience of all.