VIDALIA, La. – It’s a well-kept secret – but a good one. &uot;Not many people know about the Academy of Performing Arts Drama Program for at-risk kids, sponsored by the Salvation Army,&uot; said Salvation Army Lt. Bobby Westmoreland.

Each year around Christmas, the drama troupe collaborates with a different church to put music and dance together in an interpretive performance.

&uot;This is our fourth year,&uot; said Lt. Westmoreland. &uot;They’ve all worked so hard.&uot;

This year, the performance will be at the First Methodist Church in Vidalia. &uot;What we’ve done is interpret the creation and fall of man from the book of Genesis,&uot; Westmoreland said.

The program, titled &uot;My Deliverer,&uot; is a dramatic dance put to the music from the movie &uot;The Power of One,&uot; Westmoreland said.

Westmoreland said the community is invited to the performances at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at First Methodist Church of Vidalia. The Festival of Praise Dancers will also perform.

&uot;You’ll be amazed at what these kids have done,&uot; said Westmoreland. &uot;They look like professionals.&uot;

The Salvation Army School of Performing Arts is a year-round program.

&uot;We teach kids piano, music, dance, and brass instruction,&uot; Westmoreland said. &uot;The program is moving into it’s own building in January.&uot;

Westmoreland said the program &uot;uses creative means to raise the students’ GPAs through the arts.&uot;