A wide range of family centered performing arts featuring well-known entertainers and professionals from the across region will be coming to Bridgewater State University beginning next year as a result of the creation of a Family Performing Arts Center (FPAC), which will offer its inaugural production – Seussical– in January.
An initiative of President Frederick W. Clark Jr., the creation of FPAC was undertaken by the directors of BSU’s Arts for Youth, which has provided educational arts programming for children and teens in the region for the past two decades. As with all Arts for Youth programs, FPAC will be financially self-sustaining.
“This initiative will make Bridgewater State University a cultural hub for the Southeastern Massachusetts community,” said President Clark. “FPAC shares Bridgewater State University’s commitment to supporting and advancing the economic and cultural life of Southeastern Massachusetts by bringing the community together to share in and celebrate the magic of the performing arts.”
FPAC’s offerings will range from fully realized musical productions mounted by professional talent – including BSU alumni from its performing arts majors – to presentations by well-known entertainers whose work appeals to an audience of all ages. It also stands to create new opportunities for BSU students to work as paid interns in mounting professional theatrical and musical productions.
“It will be a pleasure to welcome back our talented alumni to campus,” President Clark said. “FPAC will provide our alumni with opportunities to perform in these productions, as well as to design or direct.”
The founders of BSU’s Family Performing Arts Center have a long history of involvement in children’s theatre and family programming. Artistic Director Colleen Rua formerly held that title with the esteemed Arlington Children’s Theatre. She has a PhD from Tufts University in drama, and an MA in theater education from Emerson College.
Producing Director Jim Quinn is the founder of Arts for Youth, which serves more than 400 children and teens each year. He received his MFA in theater administration from Yale School of Drama, and a BFA in directing from Boston University.
Managing and Education Director Lisa Troy is co-director of Arts for Youth. She served as theater educator/consultant to the Cambridge and Boston public schools for more than 20 years, and received her MEd in integrated arts & teaching from Lesley University.
Other FPAC staff, all faculty in the performing arts at BSU, include: Emmett Buhmann, technical director; Matthew Greene, publicity and marketing director; Salil Sachdev and Jennifer Sarver, artistic associates.
FPAC’s inaugural production, Seussical, will open Friday, Jan. 8 and will run for eight performances, closing on Sunday, Jan. 17. Seussical celebrates the power of imagination, believing in yourself, and diversity, reminding everyone that “A person’s a person, no matter how small!”
The show features many well-known Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, and of course, the infamous Cat in the Hat, who acts as host and MC.
Seussical will be performed at the Rondileau Campus Center Auditorium on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. An opening night reception will follow the Friday, Jan. 8 performance to celebrate BSU’s new artistic venture.
For more information, call Arts for Youth at 508.531.2141 or visit www.artsforyouth.com/family-performing-arts-center.html. Tickets are available at the BSU box office by calling 508.531.1321.
FPAC is also planning its second major theatrical production scheduled for next summer with presentations and performances being offered throughout the year.