It’s not recess, but outside on Rancho Vista Elementary School’s playground, excitement brews as fourth graders eagerly await their turn to hop on stage to sing, dance and rehearse their lines for the upcoming production of “It’s Time to Just Believe.”

Travel up and down the stairs in the multi-level, remodeled post modern building at 5504 West Crestridge Road and you will see the Palos Verdes Art Center Beverly G. Alpay Center for Arts Education is not just a facility housing studios, exhibitions and workshops.