October 2025 Newsletter

This month, the Arts Conservatory for Teens is marking a season filled with inspiration and momentum. From our Disney Karaoke Night, bringing families together in song, to the upcoming SIX the Musical — ACT’s first-ever full-length Broadway production — our students are stepping into incredible new opportunities to shine.

We’re also gearing up for the Just Dance Fall Festival this Saturday and celebrating the success of our Chipotle Do Good Night, which raised valuable support for ACT’s programs.

And in this month’s Teaching Artist Spotlight, we’re featuring two extraordinary educators shaping ACT’s new Fashion Design & Modeling program — Andreya Lovelace and J. Alexander — whose work is helping students discover confidence, craftsmanship, and purpose with style and self expression.

Together, these moments reflect what ACT is all about: giving young people the tools to dream boldly, express authentically, and thrive as artists and individuals.

Upcoming Events

Broadway Karaoke Night Disney Edition!

Get ready for a night of pure magic! Join us Saturday, November 8th from 6–9 PM at Thrive DTSP for ACT’s Broadway Karaoke Night: Disney Edition!

Whether you want to sing, dance, or perform a monologue, this is your chance to shine on stage and celebrate your favorite Disney moments. Enjoy a live DJ dance party, concession stand treats, giveaways, and door prizes throughout the night!

Doors open at 5:30 PM — come early, grab a snack, and get ready for an unforgettable evening of creativity and fun!

November 8, 2025

6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Thrive DTSP — 136 4th St

ACT’s First full-length Broadway production, SIX: the musical

Arts Conservatory for Teens’ Young Creators Alliance is proud to present its first full Broadway-length production, SIX: Teen Edition, on November 14–15, 2025 at the Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center.

Our students have dedicated countless hours to refining every detail of this production — from choreography and harmonies to stage direction and storytelling — bringing exceptional talent, discipline, and passion to the stage.

Proceeds from ticket sales will directly support the students’ upcoming performance tour in California in February 2026, offering them an extraordinary opportunity to share their artistry on a national platform.

Join us for two unforgettable evenings of music, history, and empowerment as ACT’s Young Creators Alliance takes audiences on a journey through HERstory with SIX: Teen Edition.

Fashion Design and Teaching Artist Spotlight

Teaching Craft + Shaping Confidence

There’s a rare kind of teaching that does more than pass on a skill — it changes how a young person imagines their future. This year, for ACT’s first season with a dedicated Fashion Design & Modeling class, we invited two practitioners who do exactly that: Andreya Lovelace — a TV-credited designer and award-winning creator — and J. Alexander— a model coach, creative director, and founder of Thee Rebel Agency, whose work spans Tampa to New York Fashion Week.

Andreya brings technical rigor and resourcefulness: holding a Fashion Merchandising degree, a Fashion Designer of the Year nod (Connecticut Music Fashion Awards, 2018), TV credits on Love & Hip Hop, and a practice built around upcycling, resourcefullness and design skills. Jay brings presence and a pedagogy anchored in C.A.P. — Confidence, Attitude, Posture — plus decades of experience producing live shows and building careers.

Together they’ve created a safe environment for their kids to express themselves: where sewing machines teach persistence, modeling teaches presence, and design thinking becomes a practical tool for life. They’ve created a space where students learn technical craft and, just as importantly, learn they belong — and can make their dreams real.

Below is an extended Q&A from our conversation.

Hear directly from Andreya Lovelace & J. Alexander

Can you describe the classes you teach and how fashion and modeling fit together at ACT?

Andreya Lovelace: We teach the Fashion and Modeling class jointly. I handle fashion design and garment construction. I’m teaching students about upcycling and sustainable fashion — showing them how it’s better not only for their wallets but also for the environment. It’s about taking something old, making it new, and expressing creativity through it. One thing I’ve noticed is that this process really strengthens decision-making and builds confidence.

J. Alexander: On the modeling side, we’re providing a full experience for the students. As soon as they walk in, the energy shifts — we play music, we hug, and we create an atmosphere where they feel confident, safe, heard, seen, and loved. That’s what keeps me going. Our foundation is Confidence, Attitude, and Posture — and those three pillars aren’t just for modeling. You can use them in everyday life: walking into a job interview, presenting yourself, or simply carrying yourself with pride.

What’s your favorite part of teaching at ACT?

Andreya Lovelace: Knowing that I’m giving them something no one can ever take away from them.

J. Alexander: My favorite part is seeing the kids transform right before our eyes. They might come in nervous or shy, but they leave each class different than when they arrived. To be that guiding light — a role model they can trust — that means everything to me. I wish I had someone like that when I was growing up.

What projects are students working on right now?

Andreya Lovelace: Right now, the students are working on upcycling pieces. I’ve received donations of gently used clothing through my Facebook and Instagram communities, and the kids have started sketching and building their own designs. The goal is for each student to create at least a five-piece collection to present at our big end-of-year fashion show in May.
Jay will be coaching them in modeling — helping them feel runway-ready or even cast their own models. We might even involve parents or friends as models, depending on what the students design. I’m really excited to see their creativity come to life.

What is the most important lesson you try to instill as students begin to pursue their dreams?

Andreya Lovelace: My number one message is that you can always hit a hard reset. You can look something up, start over, or try again. Failure doesn’t mean you’re bad at something — it means you’re brave enough to keep going.

J. Alexander: I completely agree. I want the kids to stay confident and to try new things. You never know what’s for you until you try. I’ve done everything — from skating carhop at Sonic to bartending — all to find out what truly lights me up. You’ll know what’s for you because it brings joy, it wakes you up in the morning, and it’s the first thing on your mind. And like Andreya says, don’t be afraid to start over — and don’t be afraid to do it scared. There’s no guidebook and there’s no one else like you. No one can tell you how to do what only you can do.

ACT’s Chipotle “Do Good” Fundraiser Was Extremely Successful

Our recent Chipotle Fundraiser marked the most successful Do Good campaign Chipotle has hosted to date — thanks to the incredible support of our students, families, and community.

Students shared their talents with engaging performances, families came together, and the community showed up in record numbers to help raise funds for ACT’s mission of empowering youth through the Arts.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this event such a meaningful success. Your support continues to make a real difference in the lives of the young people we serve.

If you missed the event, you can still donate below.