SOPA is a high energy, education-based

  performing arts studio located in Lake Worth, offering classes and workshops for all ages in stage and film acting, musical theatre, improvisation, voice, playwriting, and theatrical production.

Erin Coley has been teaching theatre in Palm Beach County for over 15 years on all levels. She has experience running area tutoring centers where she found that children desperately need the performing arts! She has been performing and directing since she was 12 with favorite credits including Into the Woods, Summer of '42, Oklahoma!, Chorus Line & Camelot. Erin is passionate about arts education. Favorite directing credits include Up the Down Staircase, Steel Magnolias, Into the Woods, & the award winning Help Wanted. She firmly believes that every child can develop life-skills through the performing arts. Erin founded Standing Ovation Performing Arts (alongside hubby, J.R.) & Actademics and teaches many classes at Standing Ovation and elsewhere. She is a former Palm Beach County drama teacher and Recreation Consultant. Erin is actively involved in arts education groups and judges local theatre competitions regularly. Erin specializes in directing, acting, improvisation, vocal and auditioning.

J.R Coley has been acting, singing and dancing professionally for over 12 years. His favorite roles include Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Frankie in Forever Plaid, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and Pippin in Pippin. He is a certified teacher, formerly working at G-Star School of the Arts and at the Theatre Department of Florida Atlantic University. He teaches, directs shows, and build sets at Standing Ovation Performing Arts. J.R. is the co-founder of Standing Ovation and ACTademics and specializes in musical theatre, directing and improvisation, film acting,and writing. Some of his favorite directing credits include Once Upon A Mattress, The Sound of Music and Beauty & the Beast. J.R. can also be seen performing with the improv troupe Shooting Blanks.