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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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 CLOSED.
Deadline to submit has closed.

Please join us on April 22 at 6PM for the stage reading of our 3 winner's plays. RSVP to mbrennan@palacestamford.org

Mentor/Artistic Coordinator of Staged Play Readings



Luis Salgado is an award-winning director, choreographer, performer, producer and educator from Puerto Rico, based in New York City. He is the director/choreographer of On Your Feet! The Musical–The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan (current National Tour), AIDA (STAGES St. Louis, MO), ON YOUR FEET! La historia de Emilio y Gloria Estefan ¡EN ESPAÑOL! (GALA Hispanic Theatre, Washington, DC), The Heights (STAGES St. Louis), Let’s Dance (Transcendence Theatre in CA), Cirque du Soleil's Paramour in (Hamburg, Germany), Ella Es Colombia (Bogota, Colombia), Candela Fuerza y Pasión (Lima, Peru), On Your Feet! (Holland). Others: RAGTIME, TO BE OR NOT TO BE... a Shakespearean Experience, AIDA The Musical, FAME, Amigo Duende the Musical, In The Heights, Matilda, Song of Solomon, Speed the Plow, The Tempest and more. Directed/choreographed UPFRONTS (2018-2024) for Telemundo. Viva Broadway’s concert series (2020-2023) performed live in Times Square. Luis was the Assistant Latin Choreographer of the original production of In the Heights on Broadway, which won four Tony Awards.As an actor, Luis has appeared on Broadway in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, ROCKY, In The Heights, and On Your Feet! Film & TV credits include: "American Gangster,” "Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights,” the television remake of "Dirty Dancing,” “Enchanted," and "Step Up 2: The Streets" (Alejandro), for which he also was assistant choreographer. Awards: Four-time Helen Hayes award winning director/choreographer, bringing eighteen Helen Hayes awards to the production On Your Feet! (GALA Theatre). St Louis Theatre Circle winner Best Choreographer and Outstanding Production of a Musical. 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 communities through the power of the arts and make a change for the better. In development: Luis is currently working on a new version of the musical AMERICANO! alongside Sergio Trujillo. Book by Tony Meneses, music & lyrics by Carrie Rodriguez. In association with R.Evolución Latina, Luis is developing a new musical titled BARBA: Brazilian Body Percussion Musical, music & book by Carlos Bauzys, lyrics & book by Kim Bixler. The GALA Hispanic Theater of Washington, DC has also commissioned Luis to conceive a new musical celebrating Colombian culture. For more information visit: www.LuisSalgado.com.

Guest Directors


Claudia Mulet is a Cuban-born director, visual creator, and performer living in New York City. She is constantly seeking ways to create in a collaborative environment. Recently, she was part of the Observership program of the SDCF in New York New York (Broadway). She serves as the associate director of the Second National Tour of On Your Feet! and has worked as an assisting director for the 29-hour reading of Americano! (New York). Additionally, she was a guest director for the 4xLatiné at the Latiné Musical Theatre Lab 2023. Claudia is the visual creator of the Pan American Nutcracker (work in progress) and served as the associate director of In the Heights at Oklahoma City University. As an actor, some of her favorite credits include: On Your Feet (1st Nat’l Tour/OG cast), On Your Feet (Miami), In the Heights at Portland Center Stage, and La Mirada Theater. After graduating, Claudia was cast in The Nederlander’s historic production of RENT in Havana, directed by Andy Sr Jr in collaboration with Michael Greif. The production was filmed and went on to become a documentary, “Revolution Rent,” now available on HBO MAX. Claudia believes in the future of a more inclusive and varied theater community where everyone can bring their many talents and share their stories. SDC Associate and AEA member. www.cmulet.com @claudiamulet89.


Thalia Ranjbar is a Persian- Salvadoran- Canadian director, choreographer, and librettist based in NYC. Credits include The Extinctionist (Asst. Director, Heartbeat Opera), Sparks (TheatreNOW), The Talk (New York Theatre Festival, nominated for Best Short), and All the Space Between (Eugene O’Neill Theatre). In 2022, Thalia earned the distinction of Master of Fine Arts from NYU and since has been selected for the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat (Nima & the Jen) , the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project (Ramin), and she was featured in the Highlight Series at Noor Theatre (Shot Clock). Thalia’s theatrical writing has been presented by 54 Below, Lincoln Centre, Don’t Tell Mama, and the Emerging Artists Theatre. Finally, Thalia is also a passionate teaching artist and currently teaches at Classic Stage Company as well as the Washington Heights Choir School.


Frances Tirado is a bilingual creative writer, dancer, and director that approaches all work with curiosity and attention to detail. She has choreographed and movement directed several shows in the Pittsburgh area, including the devised play RECOIL with director Cindy Croot. In 2019, she was chosen to be a part of the BANFF Centre's Collective Composition Lab under the direction of Emily Molnar, and performed improvised dance and poetry at a summit on Climate Change and Green Energy Solutions. During the pandemic, she worked in Covid relief in Puerto Rico and in humanitarian efforts responding to the border crisis in Texas. In 2021, she trained under Teddy Forance at the CLI Conservatory while working as a junior producer at CLI Studios. Currently in New York City, she works with Gibney as a Community Actionist, is a fitness trainer with the ness, and writes and dances often. She is moved by a dedication to the wavering truth.
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Congratulations to all our winners!
2010 - 2024
2024 Dylan Alter, Myli Bruno, Ben Souza, Playwriting
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

 

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 is now open!

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 now open!

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:

 

ArtsKids: A Series of Interactive Arts Education Workshops

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

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

"Hip-Hop/Jazz"
DATE: TBD
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 closed.

Printable Forms:
 

Adult Playwriting
The "Elements of Playwriting"
A complimentary program for Adults (18+)
Dates: TBD
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:

"A SENSE OF DIRECTION"
A complimentary program for 10 students meeting at The Palace Theatre.
DATES TBD
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.

Forms:
 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
This show date has passed.
Recommended Grades: Pre K - 5th

SOLD OUT!

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:
 

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