AMARILLO, TX -- If your kids have the acting bug or are wanting to get involved in the performing arts in Amarillo, there are a couple different options open to them.

Amarillo has had a long tradition of passing on the performing arts to it's youth...and now there are a couple of stages available to any budding star.

Over at the Sunset Center, you can find the Texas Academy of Performing Arts, which has posted almost two dozen nominees and winners in a very short time, according to its director, Cyndie Koetting.

"They had 10 judges, don't know who they were, they were anonymous and they look at their work and they decide whether or not it is excellent or not. I don't think we've fully served the children in Amarillo in regards to the arts, and I think this is going to allow us to take it one step further and really start to satisfy that need."

The kids in the program say it's made a noticeable change for the better in their lives.

"You become a better person, you become more complete and you meet some of the coolest people on earth," said Sean Jones.

Andie Auth remarked, "You can have something you have a fire for and then you can take that and run and do anything because of your passion and then you'll be able to go places."

Katie Austin said it helped bring her out of her shell. "It's made me more accepting to people it's made me not be the shy quiet girl who just sits there."

And while the stage is currently dark at A-C's Ordway hall, there are a lot of changes behind the proscenium as they prepare to kick off their inaugural year of the Amarillo College Conservatory Theatre.

"We do want to stress the importance of learning the entire subject and and in-depth and that's basically what we have here in a true conservatory feel. To be able to perform is a lifetime sport in a way," according to Linda Hughes, veteran teacher of the performing arts.

Both programs teach the basics with an emphasis on helping the student develop on and off the stage.

For more information on TAPA, you can contact Cyndie at 318-8088.

Call the Personal Enrichment Department at Amarillo College at 371-2920 to learn more about the A.C. Conservatory Theatre program.