North-Central Ohio's newest and only total performing arts school, Broadway Performing Arts Center (BPAC) will open its doors on Monday, October 4th, 2010. BPAC will offer the widest choices in performing arts classes in the region, all within its state-of-the-art 4,000 square foot facility in Milan, OH. Class registration is open now. Visit http://www.bpacohio.com/ for details.
BPAC is the brainchild of husband and wife team Dave and Emily Casale (nee Cawrse). Originally from Huron, OH, Ms. Casale will act as Artistic Director and Mr. Casale will hold the title of Business Manager. When asked why they felt the need to open the center in Ohio, Mr. Casale stated "BPAC was created to revolutionize performing arts education in the north-central Ohio area. Emily and I are dedicated to making an artistic and economic impact here and we are looking forward to this new venture together."
BPAC will offer classes for a variety of skill-levels, for children ages 3-18, as well as adults. Along with their staff of professional instructors, BPAC will offer classes in the following areas: Dance (all forms), Musical Theatre, Acting, Voice, Group Performance, and Coaching for professional advancement. Additionally, specialized workshops with visiting Guest Artists from around the country will be available. Afforded by BPAC's vast network of industry connections, these workshops will thrill students with live demonstrations and interactive participation.
BPAC studios will feature world-class sprung floors used by professionals at the top performing arts centers around the country. Sprung floors are specially engineered to greatly enhance performance while eliminating stress on the body.
Dancers can perform on sprung floors for a lifetime with total comfort. With its multi-dimensional, professional approach, BPAC is both a total performing arts career preparation school and a place ANYONE can drop in to have the time of their life! Most art schools offer a one-dimensional approach to their programs, which usually equates to dance classes aimed at young girls, save a class or two for Mom. After working with both kids of all ages and adults for the past year in the north-central Ohio area, Ms. Casale has come to realize how under-served girls, boys and adults are in all areas of the performing arts. She states "Most dance schools stop where BPAC picks up and accelerates. We will offer a complete education in the performing arts. We'll have strong appeal to boys of all ages, as well as girls, and will offer convenient commitment-free classes that adults will really enjoy while learning valuable skills taught by a pro."
One of those "pros" will be Ms. Casale, herself. Emily Casale (Artistic Director) graduated from Edison High School (Milan) and went on to Roosevelt University (Chicago) where she earned a BFA in Musical Theatre. Emily then moved to New York, completing an advanced degree in Musical Theatre from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Emily has been a featured actress, singer, dancer, choreographer and director in over fifty hit musical productions around North America. Some of Emily's credits include Crazy For You featuring Rue McClanahan (Golden Girls) and Jeffry Denman (Broadway: White Christmas), the national tours of Copacabana and Cirque le Masque, and regional productions of 42nd Street (Peggy Sawyer), The Producers, White Christmas (Rhoda), and Carousel (Carrie). Her critically acclaimed directing and choreography has been seen in NYC and across the Midwest in shows including State Fair, Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Music Man, and Dames At Sea. Emily is focused on bringing her 15 years of stage and theatre expertise to the students of BPAC.
Dave Casale (Business Manager) a New York City native, is bringing his life-long passion for the arts and twenty-year career in logistics to BPAC. A former logistics planner, flight instructor and current airline pilot, Dave will be handling the business-related aspects of BPAC. His most recent arts-related project was serving as Executive Producer of the theatrical Production Company, Eclipse Entertainment, which he started with his wife, Emily. The company produced the musical You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, which ran in the winter of 2009 at Edison High School in Milan, OH. The show made history for being the first professional Production Company to feature an all-student cast and crew. The production was selected as a "top 9" show in the state of Ohio, receiving an invitation to revive and perform the show at the 2010 Ohio State Thespian Conference last March.
Class registration and rates for BPAC can be found at www.bpacohio.com. Pricing is based in monthly increments. BPAC prides themselves on their "no added or hidden costs policy." Other performing arts schools mandate multiple costumes that students are required to purchase for typical end-of-year recitals in addition to other miscellaneous expenses. BPAC will take a more cost-effective approach. To cap off their season each year, they will produce full-scale, dynamic Broadway-style musical performances that showcase the skills their students have developed - all with costumes estimated to come in under $40. The economic advantage lies in their stage and production experience. BPAC will have two Open Houses - Saturday, September 25th & Saturday, October 2nd from 12-4 p.m. at the BPAC facility. A one-day special will be offered at the September 25th Open House. Any student who registers and pays for a year of classes will receive 15% OFF their tuition, A FREE BPAC t-shirt, and FREE registration (fee waived).
