Our Vision:
We envision a vibrant and diverse community where EVERY person is empowered and inspired through self-expression to embrace Arts Education and lifelong appreciation of the Performing Arts.

 

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ArtsKids: A Series of Interactive Arts Education Workshops

"Theatre Games and Improvisation"
DATE: Saturday, November 4th, 2023
Grades 2nd - 3rd from 10:00 - 10:45 am
Grades 4th - 5th from 11:00 - 11:45 am

"Drumming on Buckets"
DATE: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
Grades 2nd - 3rd from 10:00 - 10:45 am
Grades 4th - 5th from 11:00 - 11:45 am

"Hip-Hop/Jazz"
DATE: Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Grades 2nd - 3rd from 10:00 -10:45 am
Grades 4th - 5th from 11:00 - 11:45 am

All workshops will be in person at The Palace Theatre. Children can register for all 3 workshops or individual workshops. Space is limited.

These workshops are free of charge. Registration is now open!

Printable Forms:
Program Overview/Registration Form

 

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Adult Playwriting
The "Elements of Playwriting"
A complimentary program for Adults (18+)
4 Tuesdays: November 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th, 2023
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

What makes your play a play, rather than a short story, a film or a TV pilot? What does theatricality mean and how can it heighten your writing? In this class, we will discuss the possibilities of live performance, explore the difference between realism and truth, and do some practical exercises together that (hopefully!) prove that limitations can be your friend. Students will engage in various different activities to generate pages, will share their work with the group, receive feedback and revise their work. We will discuss goals, obstacles, tactics and conflict as pillars of dramatic writing.

Taught by teaching artist Mathilde Dratwa.

Forms:
Overview and Registration Form
 

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"A SENSE OF DIRECTION"
A complimentary program for 10 students meeting at The Palace Theatre.
4 Saturdays: February 25th, March 4th, 11th, & 18th, 2024
Grades 9th – 12th
   
All students MUST commit to attend all 4 sessions.

What does it take to become an influential director/artist?  Appreciation of a complex story? Complex characters? The best setting for telling this story? In each session, we will explore these director tools in a 4-week program, including script analysis, articulating a director’s concept, casting, collaborative rehearsal techniques, and performance, on a contemporary short play or scene. The focus will be on understanding the practical considerations of directing, leadership skills, and connecting with one’s individual artistry.

Get advice on how to “break into the business”

Taught by Leah Reddy, an NYC-based director, dramaturg, and producer, a teaching artist with Roundabout Theatre Co., a video producer, and a mentor with the Arthur Miller Foundation.

2024 Forms:
Overview
Registration Form
 

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The 2024 Ernie DiMattia
Emerging Young Artist Awards
  for the writing of an original 15-minute one-act play.

Printable Forms:
Letter to Principals and Teachers
Criteria
Application
 

Plays and Applications are OPEN.
Deadline is end of the business day (5pm) February 1st, 2024

Guest Director for staged play reading of the 3 winning plays



Luis Salgado is an international director, choreographer, and educator from Puerto Rico that has fallen in love with the magic and power of telling stories on stage. Most recently Luis directed Matilda, The Musical, a bilingual version of FAME, the Musical that was translated and developed by Salgado Productions and won the 2020 Helen Hayes award for Outstanding Musical. Virtually Luis served as associate director and co-choreographer for the virtual concert Viva Broadway, Hear Our Voices. He was the assistant Latin choreographer of In the Heights on Broadway, which won four Tony Awards.  Luis was the associate director/choreographer of Cirque de Soliel's Paramour in Hamburg Germany. Among the productions he has directed/choreographed in the United States and abroad are the Holland Production of On Your Feet, RAGTIME, TO BE OR NOT TO BE... a Shakespearean Experience, AIDA, Amigo Duende the Musical, In The Heights, Bountiful, Zuccotti Park, Song of Solomon, Speed the Plow, The Tempest, and the 2018/19 Upfront events for TELEMUNDO. In 2017 Luis directed and choreographed the U.S premiere of the Spanish version of In The Heights at GALA Theatre in Washington, which received nine 2018 Helen Hayes Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, and Best Choreography.
 
Luis is the founder/director of R.Evolución Latina, an affiliate of the non-profit organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Luis’ personal mission as an artist and a leader is to empower society through the arts to make a change for the better
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Congratulations to all our winners!
2010 - 2023
2023 Annabelle Futch, Savanna Shettler, Ben Souza, Playwriting
2022 Hannah Ginste, Lulu Tagger, Noah Vienne, Playwriting
2021 Christopher Israel, Nicole Talamo, Marco Greco, Playwriting
2020 Jeison Lenis Lopez, Zaida Rio Polanco, Naomi Young,  Samantha Vertucci, Charlie Johnson, Serena Shifrin, Playwriting
2019 Emilia Getzinger, Alexandra Levins, Grace O'Rourke, Cassie Lang, Charlotte Marvin, Mya Turner, Playwriting
2018 Andrew Casturo-Burnette, Kristina Dignelli, and William Donovan, Playwriting 
2017 Olivia Falkenrath, Quinn Murphy, and Ryan Polistena, Playwriting
2016 Ariel Abergel, Isabelle Pierce, Michael Busani, Yona Dervishi, Playwriting
2015 Stephanie Walsh, Playwriting
2014 Anna Black, Original Composition
2013 Elizabeth D'Aiuto, Vocalist
2012 EJ Couloucoundis, Vocalist
2011 Danny Pravder, Jazz Pianist
2010 Anna Leunis, Violinist

 

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Recommended Grades: Pre K - 5th

Ticket Registration is OPEN.

The critically acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Brown Bear, Brown Bear - now celebrating 50 years - has sold more than 18.2 million copies. .

Printable Forms:
Letter to Principal and Teachers
Ticket Order Form
 

Symphony Space "Global Arts"
This is a free Symphony Space program, being presented and generously sponsored by The Palace Theatre
Monday, April 15th - Thursday, April 18th, 2024
Grades 3-5 (as of Sept. 2023)

Registration opens December 1st, 2023!

This program was created in the belief that the arts bring people together, transcend barriers, and celebrate both our similarities and differences. Using the arts as primary sources rich in information about the people who created them, Global Arts explores cultures from Africa, Asia, and Latin America and explores the cultures of indigenous people from North & South America.

 Four day program taking place at The Palace Theatre in Stamford (61 Atlantic Street). The program is designed for 3^rd – 5^th graders. Please note: Student must be able to attend ALL days; we unfortunately cannot accommodate those who can only attend partially. 

 Each day will be filled with activities such as Physical Warm-up, Journal Writing, Storytelling, Theatre Games, Acting, Dance and Music: elements of African influences in American Music, Samba Music, Japanese Taiko Drumming, Bharatanatyam Dance, African Drumming, Asian Art.

2024 Forms:
Program Overview and Registration Form

 

Triple Threat Performer
Monday - Friday, July 8th - July 19th, 2024
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Ages 9-16
Fee: $850

Registration is opens February 5th!

Under the inspiring direction of Luis Salgado, Broadway Assistant Choreographer of the Tony-winning show “In the Heights” and Director/Choreographer for “Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour”, “On Your Feet” & “Ragtime”, the exciting two- weeks will immerse students in the dynamic process of Acting, Singing and Dancing -- with a focus in the making of Art with A Purpose. The program is highly designed to encompass the diverse components of Musical Theatre.

Classes will be taught by a select group of experienced New York artists from Salgado Productions to provide students with the well-rounded training they require.

Students will fully engage in master classes exploring the disciplines of acting, voice, and dancing (Musical Theater, Body Percussion, Latin Fusion, Song Interpretation, Hip-Hop and more).

At the end of the two transformative weeks, students will have a deeper understanding of how to successfully integrate song, dance, and character interpretation within a musical theatre piece, using all tools to support their journey as an actor to communicate their character’s central truth.

A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available based on financial need.

2024 Forms:
Registration Form
Photo Release Form
Financial Aid Application
Formulario de Inscripción
Formulario de Publicación de Fotografías
Solicitud de Ayuda Financiera

Send completed registration/permission form, photo release form and deposit to: cbryan@palacestamford.org or by mail to:
Carol Bryan
The Palace Theatre
61 Atlantic Street Stamford, CT 06901
 

YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL
“Scene Study/Acting/Improvisation”
A complimentary program meeting once a week at:
The Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street
Grades 6th – 8th, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
DATES:TBA

Students MUST commit to attend all 6 sessions.

Actors will be acquainted with various acting techniques, introduced to script analysis, and collaborate with scene partners. Materials will be provided for the actors and all work will be done in class. The program exposes students to the pillars of dramatic acting and writing. Each class will include exercises in ensemble building, improv, theatre, and will increase students' confidence when it comes to sharing ideas.

Printable Forms:
 

Palace ArtsCrew

ArtsCrew members serve as interns while accruing community service hours and National Honor Society hours all while gaining valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes of a performing arts center. Students will be exposed to the inner workings of the departments that make up the core of a performing arts center; Marketing, Development, Finance, Education, Box Office, and Production.

To apply to be an ArtsCrew member contact the Education Department at 203.517.3431 or cbryan@palacestamford.org. To be eligible you must be a High School senior.

Education Sponsors
 

 

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Season Sponsors