Over MLK Weekend, students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) were visited by Broadway professionals. FSPA Musical Theater students of all ages took Song Interpretation, Monologue and Scene Work, and Theater Dance classes with Broadway stars at their very own campus in downtown Franklin.

The instructors for this year’s Intensive were Carrie St. Louis (WICKED, Kinky Boots, Rock of Ages), Tyrick Wiltez Jones (Hairspray, Finian’s Rainbow, Bat Out of Hell), Christopher Rice-Thomson (Hamilton on tour, Book of Mormon, Pretty Woman), Tyler Hanes (CATS, Oklahoma!, A Chorus Line, Fosse, and many more). Additionally, the students had a virtual Q and A session with NYC casting director Bob Cline. 

The weekend concluded with a showcase for the Guest Teachers and FSPA Faculty which was live-streamed to students’ families, FSPA alumni, as well as a panel of staff from Broadway Artists Alliance in NYC. From this showcase, some FSPA students will be selected to go to NYC in February to study at the Broadway Artists Alliance Winter Workshop.

“It’s a really special place,” says frequent FSPA Guest Teacher and Broadway Faculty Member Tyler Hanes who most recently starred on Broadway as The Rum Tum Tugger in the revival of CATS. “What is happening here is so unique and really is paving the way for the next generation of artists. It is an honor any time I get to come here and work with these talented students.”

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts currently has alumni working on Broadway, off-Broadway, in National Tours, on film, TV, professional opera, ballet and dance companies, cruise ships, and regional theater across the country. In addition to frequently bringing in new industry guests for master classes and intensives, FSPA boasts a year-round roster of FSPA Broadway Faculty. Nine Broadway professionals are available to enrolled students for private coaching via Zoom. Coachings are available for singing, acting, dance, and self-marketing in the theater industry. The FSPA Broadway Faculty includes Ben Cameron, Sara Jean Ford, Tyler Hanes, Jim Hogan, Emily Koch, Kara Lindsay, Kevin Massey, Christopher Rice-Thomson, and Clay Rice-Thomson. 

For more information on programs at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, visit www.fspaonline.com, call (508) 528-8668, or stop by 38 Main Street in Franklin, MA. Enrollment is ongoing and new students are invited to take a complimentary trial class. Follow FSPA on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.