Our Training
​Few things have the power to influence the human heart and even belief systems like the Arts do. What would you say made a more lasting impact on you growing up - your favorite movies and songs, or your economics class? That's why at REGA we believe the Arts are so important and so underrated. Investing in the Arts means investing in the souls of people. ​
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Currently our training focus has been our summer musical theatre intensives for Christian kids and teens, Teen Week and Kids Week. The purpose of these intensives is to help young Christian artists find their footing both in their ability as artists, and spiritually in how to approach a calling in the arts as a Christian. We provide the highest level of training for our students, taught by Christian teachers with top industry experience in singing, acting, and dance. We love to build up each student, equipping them with the keys they need to achieve the best of their abilities. We want our students to leave our intensives having an edge that they didn't have before. There is also spiritual input and guidance throughout the week, especially through a teaching given by the senior leadership of our sponsoring church, Times of Refreshing Christian Center, NY (TORCC-NY). Dr. Robyn Kassas, and Pastor Nathan Kassas both have very strong backgrounds in the arts, in addition to being pastors and teachers of two churches, and invited ministers to churches of many nations around the world.
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We teach and develop methods that engage the body, mind and soul using techniques that are emotionally safe and freeing all at once. We draw from the raw materials already in us - who we are, our personal history, our body - and maximize the inherent creativity in each individual, while also taking them beyond what they thought was possible. Through body awareness training coupled with the disciplines of acting and singing, we learn about the instruments we’ve been given, how to become aware of the physical nuances needed for our craft, and how to make choices that will communicate our desired message or make our point most effectively. Our approach helps to de-layer the fears and insecurities that tend to hinder each student from being the free vessel they long to be. Once they feel safe to open up their hearts, trusting that the Lord is giving them the freedom to do so, our students discover new levels of their creative potential.
At REGA we are committed to creating and giving visibility to new works of musical theatre. We currently have two shows in development: Walls; and Value Point. Both shows have had professional staged readings in New York City, and are in the rewriting process. If you would like to give a donation towards the development of one of these works, go here and choose which show you'd like to give to in our dropdown menu. We have partnered with The Wedgwood Circle as our fiscal sponsor, and will be looking for investors and possible producing partners, so if that interests you, be sure to let us know through our Contact page!
Performance of Original Incarnation of Value Point at Times of Refreshing Christian Centre, NY
Watch video excerpts from first draft concert viewing of Value Point:
Take Me Back
Words and Music by
Virginia Hart Pike
Performed by
Nathan Kassas and KEKA
Industry reading of Walls at Times of Refreshing Christian Centre, NY.
Watch video excerpts of songs from Walls:
I Carried You
Words and Music by
Virginia Hart Pike
Performed by
Kimberly Harley
Our Values
Artist Investment
REGA is about investing in each individual artist—who they are based on their unique gifts and personality. Our highly qualified teachers have top-level industry experience, create an encouraging environment, and take the time to get to know and build on the strengths of each student.
Healthy Arts Techniques
We feel strongly about teaching methods that are healthy for each individual’s spirit, mind, and emotions. We always seek to create an atmosphere in which students feel safe and free to explore the limits of their inherent creativity.
Quality Content
It is our belief that the arts serve a purpose beyond commercialization, or diversion. Quality works of performing arts have the potential to be vessels of transformation - of the hearts and souls of individuals, and of society as a whole. For this reason, we are committed to exposing our students to the best works of musical theatre. We also seek to create and develop our own original works that are not only crafted in excellence, but which have their finger on the pulse of today's audience, and can thus expose the human heart in ways that are both recognizable and revelatory.
Community Creation
REGA is a community of artists across varying levels and backgrounds who are here to support one another, grow together, and create beautiful and penetrating works of art. We believe in the importance of the experienced, mature Christian professionals mentoring and raising up the next generation of Christ-centered artists.
Spiritual Integrity
At REGA we acknowledge and embrace the intersection between the Arts and our spiritual nature. We address some of the spiritual questions and issues that come up for Christians called to the Arts industries, and provide mentorship and encouragement for those who see their faith as being integral to their art. Our spiritual oversight is Times of Refreshing Christian Center, NY, under the headship of Dr. Robyn Kassas.
Blog Posts
Read about our latest insights into what's happening in the theatre industry now:
Statement of Faith
At REGA we believe that all people are created in the image of God, all fearfully and wonderfully designed. Our values come from our Christian faith, based on the foundation of Biblical truth. Some of our classes will draw from a connection to the Holy Spirit as the One who gives Life and reveals the inner workings of how we are made. While the leadership of REGA hold to these beliefs, we do not require the same of every teacher and guest artist we bring on board. We invite students from any background of faith and of any belief system to come and take our classes and be a part of the REGA family. We only ask that each student be respectful of the authority of each instructor and leader, and of our value system, as outlined on this page. All are welcome here!
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REGA has an affiliation with Times of Refreshing Christian Center (TORCC-NY), and spiritual oversight by Dr. Robyn Kassas, head pastor of TORCC-NY.
Statement of Diversity
We believe that all men and women, of all races, colors, and ethnicities, are created in the image of God. We believe that every human who enters the doors of REGA is of equal, infinitely precious value, no one greater, no one less than. We consider it a privilege to be entrusted with the artistic growth of every person who wishes to study under our direction, and we are accountable before God for not only the fair and equal treatment of every person and student, but to follow Christ’s directive to love our neighbor as ourself. We enthusiastically welcome students from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and belief systems, and endeavor to create a community that is void of colonization or partiality of any kind. It is our desire to create an atmosphere in which every person in the room knows they are not only accepted, but loved and valued.
REGA is affiliated with other organizations including Times of Refreshing Christian Center, New York (TORCC-NY), Second Breath Studios, SoJo Performing Arts, and The Movement Habit.
