Music Theatre Philly Opens New Center City Studio

MUSIC THEATRE PHILLY is thrilled to announce the opening of its new full-service Performing Arts Center in downtown, Philadelphia. Formerly working out of the historic Plays & Players Theatre, MUSIC THEATRE PHILLY will relocate to its own space in the heart Center City at 1201 Spruce Street, Philadelphia (entrance on 12th Street).

With a projected opening of late January 23, 2017, MTP's new space will open on the heels of its latest performance of ANNIE: KIDS and SING THE SONGS OF MATILDA: IN CONCERT which featured over 60 young performers from our region. The space, located on the beautiful block of 12th and Spruce, is newly outfitted with two professional dance studios, a music salon, state of the art sound equipment, security system, and a lobby with seating area, giving parents the opportunity to wait on site for their child. If parents wish to stroll the neighborhood while waiting, there are plenty of wonderful eateries, cafés, and shoppes within this bustling area, all within walking distance.

Striving to bring a professional Broadway training ground to for young performers to Philadelphia, MTP's creates a professional training ground for young artists by cultivating a creative, encouraging, and disciplined environment, while maintaining the integrity of Musical Theatre.

MTP Co-Founders and Artistic Directors Mindy Dougherty Baiada and Dann Dunn said: "We are incredibly pleased to see MUSIC THEATRE PHILLY move into its new home at 1201 Spruce Street. Having our own space will not only increase the flexibility of scheduling our programming, but bring our performing artists a professional facility to call home as they continue to grow and hone their craft. Having our own space will really help us to take a step forward in building the musical theatre and dance training for young artists in Philadelphia. Philly has been such an integral part of our professional careers as artists in the past and present, that we're excited to help build the future."

Since its inception in 2015, MUSIC THEATRE PHILLY has partnered with performers from Broadway and National Touring Companies of MATILDA, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, MARY POPPINS, GYPSY, CATS, and PIPPIN to bring Philadelphia the most professional training possible. The Philadelphia based team's professional credits include Broadway, National Tours, European Tours, Television, Film, Cruise Lines, and working with the top Regional Theatres in Center City. Additionally, MTP has collaborated with some of Broadway and Television's hottest talent, including Tony, Grammy, Emmy Award winning artists.

Upon its January 2017 opening, MUSIC THEATRE PHILLY will proudly offer classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Musical Theatre Dance, as well as their performance-based classes that offer children a chance to rehearse a scripted production and present it in showcase form. These 'Broadway Bootcamp' sessions and Dance Classes are available for ages 3-18. Adult classes are also planned for the space.

"We're constantly being asked by performers, amateur and professional, to help point them in the direction of place where they can drop in and take a Musical Theatre dance class. Unfortunately there's not too many offered in Philadelphia. Our hope is to change that," said Dunn and Baiada.

MUSIC THEATRE PHILLY's new location aims to open their doors on January 23 2017, with classes in dance, musical theatre, music, voice, and more. Additionally, MTP is available for studio rental, equipped for Yoga/Zumba classes, audition space, production development, and more, offering professional discounts as well as reasonable hourly and day rates.

For more information on MUSIC THEATRE PHILLY, visit their website at MusicTheatrePhilly.com.

COMPANY BIOS:

Mindy Dougherty is a Philadelphia resident and Mother of two who is incredibly thrilled to bring her professional background and passion for theatrical training to the city of Brotherly Love! As a performer, Mindy appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award winning revival of GYPSY, starring Broadway legend Patti LuPone, preserved with a Grammy Award winning original revival recording. Other New York credits include the critically acclaimed City Center Encores production of GYPSY (starring Patti LuPone), SERENADE (Jaradoa Theatre Company), and SONDHEIM: THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT at Fisher Hall with the New York Philharmonic. Around the United States, Mindy starred in the Broadway National Tour of A CHORUS LINE as 'Val', and has performed regionally with highlights including Walnut Street Theatre (CURTAINS, 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, WEST SIDE STORY), Marriott Lincolnshire (ANNIE GET YOUR GUN), Ford's Theatre, DC (A CHRISTMAS CAROL), Carousel Dinner Theatre (CATS), Stages St. Louis (GYPSY), Struther's Library Theatre (OKLAHOMA!, GOOD NEWS), Fulton Opera House (EVITA, RAGS, MY FAIR LADY), Fireside Theatre (A FUNNY THING HAPPENED...FORUM), Peninsula Players (DAMES AT SEA). Education: Graduate of Penn State (BFA in Musical Theatre) and received her MA in Theatre Education from New York University (NYU). Mindy continues to keep her roots in the professional world, staying connected with some of Broadway's hottest talent while bringing both the professional knowledge and connections into her instruction. As a mother, she knows the importance of wanting to help a child reach and grow to their full potential and strongly believes that the arts are a tool toward achievement. Mindy believes that musical theatre and the disciplines associated, nurture more than just a talent, but a sense of inclusion, team work, mutual respect and confidence in an atmosphere of trust, positivity, and encouragement. www.mindydougherty.net

DANN DUNN has created and maintained award-winning professional works as a Director/Choreographer, Associate, and Dance Captain around the world. A resident of Philadelphia, Dann is the recipient of Broadway World Philadelphia's 'Best Director' and 'Best Choreographer' Awards (2012, 2013, 2015) and is a 2015 Philadelphia Barrymore Award nomination for 'Outstanding Choreography/Movement'. Broadway/NYC: MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (Madison Square Garden), Sesame Street ON BROADWAY! (Paramount Theatre), Tom Sawyer (Symphony Space). National Tours: CATS, THE MUSIC MAN, THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer, Sesame Street LIVE!. International: CATS (Toronto), THE MUSIC OF Andrew Lloyd Webber (Europe), LA TRAVIATA (Scotland), Sesame Street LIVE! (Canada, Asia). Regional: Walnut Street Theatre, The Kennedy Center, New Candlelight Theatre, Society Hill Playhouse, The Eagle Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, Ritz Theatre Company, The Kimmel Center, PGLTF, Arden Theatre, Prather Entertainment, Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, Jenny Wiley Theatre, Weathervane Repertory Theatre, Ocean City Theatre Company, and Forestburgh Playhouse. Dann's association with the musical MAME began in 2013 as Choreographer of the Media Theatre's production, which starred Tony Award nominee and Broadway royalty Andrea McArdle, earning him a BWW Award for 'Best Choreography'. Since then, his critically acclaimed and award winning production of MAME has been produced with starry casts at the Bucks County Playhouse with Orange Is The New Black's Lea DeLaria (2013 BWW Award, Best Choreography), Forestburgh Playhouse with Emmy Award winner Loretta Swit, Allenberry Playhouse, and Riverside Theatre starring Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers, (2015 DC Metro Award: Best Production, Best Direction, and Best Choreography). Other notable collaborations include FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Eddie Mekka (Bucks County Playhouse) and CHICAGO with American Idol's Justin Guarini (Media Theatre). Original Cast: Created the role of 'Tennessee' in YANK. Staged Reading: LUCKY GUY (Temple University, George and Joy Abbott Center for Musical Theatre). Dancer for Mariah Carey (MSG) and Mark Kanemura (So You Think You Can Dance).

Creator/Director/Choreographer: DAMES AT SEA: A BURLESQUE REVUE (Norwegian Cruise Line). Contributing Choreographer: The Red Cross, National Liberty Museum, The X Games, Circus Circus Las Vegas, Sesame Street Workshop. TV: The Today Show, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Good Morning America. Recognition: 8 time Broadway World Award Winner, 4 time Barny Award Winner, 3 time Twiggy Award Winner, 5 time DC Metro Arts Award Winner, 1 Teeny Award, NJ Perry Award Nominee. As an educator, Dann has had the pleasure working with performers of all ages, teaching master classes and appearing as a Guest Director/Choreographer for colleges, high schools, middle schools, and summer camps, and is currently on faculty at UArts and the Sanford School. Guest Faculty: University Of Pennsylvania, University Of The Arts, Temple University, West Chester University, Arizona State University, GCIT: Academy Of The Performing Arts. Dann is also a teaching alumni of New York City's Camp Broadway where he served as a Guest Artist, working with some of Broadway's biggest Tony Award winning names in NYC, Toronto, and on on their National Tour, educating children across the country. Dann is thrilled to be helping Philadelphia's young artists train towards a professional career in the arts. DannDunn.net

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