COEUR d'ALENE - Whether it's action, drama, satire or comedy, Cheryl-Ann Rossi knows this:

Community theater is vital to any community. It's why, in this time of a struggling economy, the actress, director and producer is offering free and low-cost classes.

"I want to educate affordably," she said. "Professional, affordable and fun."

Rossi recently returned to Coeur d'Alene after moving away in 2003 for family reasons. Before leaving the area, she operated a theater program called "Footprints" for several years.

When the 48-year-old moved back, she was looking to create something that serves the community and allows her to use her experience in theater, which includes stints in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

"How could I come back and fill a niche?" she asked.

She found her answer by forming the Christian Performing Arts in Coeur d'Alene.

The non-denominational scripture-based program offers eight free weekday classes at Candlelight Christian Fellowship church for kids 6-17, with a $15 fee for materials.

Already, about 100 kids are involved.

"God's word is a script for our lives - just like we have a script when we do a play," Rossi said. "Only in life, there's a bigger director."

The free classes center on skill building and self-esteem, with an eye toward Saturday rehearsals for upcoming productions.

"As long as they commit to the production, they get the classes for free," she said.

Classes offer "wholesome, healthy fun," where students will get the opportunity to practice the performing arts.

"The community needs it," she said. "I believe it's my obligation as an artist. There comes a time when we as adults should serve our community as best we can. It's just my way of giving back."

Other classes are about $25 a month. Summer camps will be about $75 a week.

She and her instructors work with beginners to those with experience and looking to go professional.

Rossi said offering some free classes seemed only right in a time when so many people are out of work and struggling.

"There's no way I could have provided this for our children if I had to pay for it," Rossi said, noting her daughter, Sarah Vanek, recently performed in a concert in Tucson, sold out, and son Robbie remains an "amazing dancer." Both performed in shows at Lake City High School while students there.

Rossi began her professional career at age 11 in Florida, when she played Marta in "The Sound of Music." She recalls receiving $50 a week.

"It was my first paying gig," she said, smiling.

It would change her life.

"As a child, the arts provided me with an emotional outlet and artistic outlet in a place to be that was safe and fun," she said. "Because of that, it grew into a professional world for me."

Since, she has been involved in teaching, directing and producing.

"It's been my only job ever," she said. "It's how I supported my two kids and 10 foster kids."

Rossi hopes to build bridges between the amateur world and professional world of performing arts, and the Christian world.

"Not all of our productions are God-centered, message based pieces," she said, "but the classes and curriculum are."

Thirty kids and teens are involved in the spring production, "Happily Forever After" scheduled May 13-14 weekend at Candlelight. Shows are 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 at the door.

"Godspell" is the next professional production planned for adults. Auditions for May 7 for "Godspell" and another production planned for later this year, "A Renaissance Christmas."

Information: (208) 304-7668