Musical Theater

PAI Musical Theater Program

The goals of PAI’s Musical Theater Program are to develop each student’s full potential and talent, cultivate joy in the process, and stimulate creativity beyond any preconceived limitations. Individual growth leads to the success of a production, and thus, it is our highest priority

2013 Musical and Artistic Director

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We are proud to announce that PAI will produce Les Miserables * for its 2013 Season! Artistic Director of the show will be Gary Race. He brings over 30 years of experience directing opera and theatrical productions with educational institutions. Because Les Miserables is opera-like in structure, we are excited that a person with Race’s incredible experience and credentials will be leading PAI students to a high quality performance of this classic work in the musical theater genre.

As an educator he has presented workshops on performance techniques in many colleges and universities including The Manhattan School of Music, Carnegie-Mellon, Cornell, Duquesne, Syracuse, Miami University, Ithaca College, Colgate, and the University of Maryland at College Park, among others.  He has created and directed arts education programs for many opera companies, for Gateway to the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, and the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, DC), where he continues to serve as Education Consultant and Performance Coach.  He is scheduled to narrate the National Symphony Orchestra Young Peoples Concerts in March, 2013.

Race’s outreach programs have won several awards including a national “A+” award from the National Education Association.

He currently teaches privately in Cleveland, where he is working on a book/DVD presentation on the future of opera performance training and development.

Four elements distinguish PAI's Musical Theater Program. 

Professional Environment - The venue for this season’s musical production will be the 2000-seat F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Northeastern PA’s most prestigious professional theater. Students will work with experienced union stagehands and a professional pit orchestra in the newly renovated Art Deco Broadway roadhouse. In addition, each season students will have the opportunity to work in the musical theater production with a professional who is highly successful in the field. Robert Cuccioli, Toni Award Nominated Broadway star of the smash hit musical, "Jekyll and Hyde", joined PAI in 2010 to play the role of the Duke of Milan in the production of "Two Gentleman of Verona."

A Solid Foundation - All musical theater students must develop their vocal skills in Institute Chorus and Basic Musicianship class, both of which are designed to strengthen proper vocal production and technique. Because sight-singing skills are essential to the musical theater profession, they are emphasized in ensembles and classes. Students also attend extensive theater arts masterclasses. In 2010, Brian Humphrey presented masterclasses on Shakespeare and the iambic pentameter.  Humphrey has appeared with Seattle Shakespeare and a combined twenty seasons with the Colorado, Utah, and Oregon Shakespeare Festivals.  He is the adaptor and director of Nebraska Shakespeare Company productions of "Macbeth" and "Romeo and Juliet."  2011 Tony Award nominee, Forrest McClendon gave workshops in movement, character development and acting-while-singing.  McClendon played the role of "Mr. Tambo" in the Kander-Ebb musical "The Scottsboro Boys" at NYC's Lyceum Theatre.  Robert Cuccioli gave a vocal masterclass as well.

Commitment to Ensemble - Casting limitations do not allow for all students to receive major roles in the PAI production. Great care is taken in selecting a specific show that provides each performer with important opportunities to contribute to the lifeblood of the ensemble. We believe that the power of the ensemble is the most effective framework for individual growth. Students not cast in leading or supporting roles will be featured performers in an exciting, fully produced cabaret-style production.

In previous seasons, PAI productions have included “Cabaret,” “Les Miserables,” “Into the Woods,” “Dear World,” “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” “Kiss Me Kate,” “West Side Story,” “The Threepenny Opera,” “Oliver!”  "Fiddler on the Roof," "Gypsy", "Two Gentleman of Verona" and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum!"

Costs and Dates

June 23 - August 4, 2013