PAI invites you to the Musical Theater Gala Event June 1, 2008  details

Click here to learn more about the 2008 Musical Theater Production

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.

View the Photo Gallery from PAI's Summer 2007 Production of "Oliver!"

Click here to view Photo Gallery...

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. In the 2007 season, six-time Emmy Award-winner David Canary joined PAI to play the role of Fagin in our production of “Oliver!” His talent, training and years of experience were an invaluable source of inspiration and education.

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 2007, University of the Arts faculty members Forrest McClendon, Aaron Cromie and David Howie presented workshops in movement, mask, dialect, character development and acting while singing.

Leadership. William Roudebush, director of PAI’s musical theater program, brings 36 years of teaching and directing experience to PAI where he collaborates with his students and professional staff. Roudebush has also forged a unique relationship with the prestigious University of the Arts theater department, which exposes PAI students to their faculty and resources.

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 two exciting, fully produced cabaret-style productions.
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” and “Oliver!”

PAI Theater Technology Apprenticeship
(four weeks, enrollment open to eight students)
This mentor program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience and professional guidance in the areas of set design, technical direction, light design, electronics, stage properties, sound design, and costuming. Students select a primary and secondary area of concentration. Accordingly, a professional technician or designer is assigned two students to guide throughout the production process. One-on-one practical experience will empower students with skills and, more importantly, confidence to return to their high schools and take leadership roles backstage.