Music Theatre of Connecticut

Home > Classes (2009-2010)

Little Theatre (6 and under)
Using theatre games, fairy tales, movement, and song, each child will step into the magical world of make-believe. Whether performing the noble actions of a knight, practicing the movements of a forest animal, or dancing like a princess, each child will develop skills in listening, speaking, taking turns, and cooperation—all in a small group setting.

Pre-Intro to Theatre & Music (Pre-Kindegarten, minimum age 4)
- Wednesday: 3:15 - 4:00pm (Studio 1)
- Thursday: 3:15 - 4:00pm (Studio 1)

Intro to Theatre & Music (Kindegarten)
- Tuesday: 4:15 - 5:00pm (Studio 2)
- Wednesday: 4:15 - 5:00pm (Studio 1)
- Thursday: 4:15 - 5:00pm (Studio 2)

Acting & Improv
Students explore acting techniques and build a solid acting foundation by developing listening, interacting and reacting skills, working with scene partners, and learning theater games as a group. Using the Uta Hagen technique, developed at HB Studios in New York, students discover creativity, ignite imagination and develop a strong foundation as a confident, enthusiastic and skilled actor through scene and monologue work and student-written projects.

Acting & Improv 1 (Grades 1-2)
- Thursday: 5:15 - 6:10pm (Studio 2)

Acting & Improv 2 (Grades 3-4)
- Wednesday: 5:15 - 6:10pm (Studio 2)

Acting & Improv 3 (Grades 5-6)
- Monday: 4:15 - 5:45pm (Studio 2)

Pre-High-School Acting & Musical Theatre (Grades 7-8)
- Monday: 5:15 - 6:45pm (Studio 1)

High School Acting & Musical Theatre (Grades 9-12)
- Monday 7:15 - 8:45pm (Studio 2)

Musical Theatre
“Sing out Louise” and let your voice be heard! Students learn the basics of musical theatre. Kids develop their skills in dance, voice and musical theatre presentation styles, including basic vocal technique and musical scenes. Young performers acquire the skills that will become the foundation for performing in musicals through solo and ensemble material, as well as staging and choreographing scenes and numbers from hit Broadway Shows!

Musical Theatre 1 (Grades 1-2)
- Monday: 4:15 - 5:10pm (Studio 1)
- Tuesday: 5:15 - 6:10pm (Studio 2)
- Wednesday: 4:15 - 5:10pm (Studio 2)

Musical Theatre 2 (Grades 3-4)
- Monday: 6:15 - 7:10pm (Studio 2)
- Tuesday: 6:15 - 7:10pm (Studio 2)
- Wednesday: 6:15 - 7:10pm (Studio 1)

Musical Theatre 3 (Grades 5-6)
- Tuesday: 7:15 - 8:45pm (Studio 2)
- Wednesday: 6:15 - 7:45pm (Studio 2)

Pre-High-School Acting & Musical Theatre (Grades 7-8)
- Monday: 5:15 - 6:45pm (Studio 1)

High School Acting & Musical Theatre (Grades 9-12)
- Monday 7:15 - 8:45pm (Studio 2)

Acting for the Camera
The Film & TV Series teaches specific techniques of on-camera performance including acting in commercials, soaps, television series, and films by working on-camera each week. Students learn all the steps to a successful film or television audition, including how to improvise, prepare text, memorize quickly and interview well. In addition, students learn the different techniques for commercials, film, and television, and the difference between live and filmed auditions.

Beginning Acting for the Camera (Grades 3-6)
- Wednesday: 5:15 - 6:10pm (Studio 1)

Advanced Acting for the Camera (Grades 4-8)
- Thursday: 4:15 - 5:45pm (Studio 1)

Private Voice (recommended for age 11 and up)
For the serious young musical theatre singer, MTC offers private study in voice. Lessons are one half hour per week. Students develop a solid vocal technique specifically focused on the requirements for healthy singing in the musical theatre including vocal production, breathing, healthy belting for women, appropriate musical theatre repertoire, and audition technique.
Pre-requisite: Pre-evaluation by a member of the MTC voice faculty.

Dance
Focus on proper technique, style and performance abitlitiy. Have fun while learning to move to a variety of musical styles. Learn more than just how to dance, learn to “sell it!”

Jazz Dance 1 (Grades 1-6)
- Tuesday: 4:15 - 5:10pm (Studio 1)

Jazz Dance 2 (Grades 1-6, Pre-requisite: One year of prior dance experience.)
- Tuesday: 5:15 - 6:10pm (Studio 1)

Teen Dance (Grades 9-12)
- Tuesday: 6:15 - 7:45pm (Studio 1)

Don’t be left in the wings! Sign up for MTC’s two fabulous all-school musicals!
Note: Students must be seven years old by 7/1/09. Pre-requisites apply. Call MTC for details.

Note: Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and Thoroughly Modern Millie Junior have switched dates. The correct dates appear below.

Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald
Based on “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl
The timeless story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this stage adaptation. Featuring songs from the classic family film including “The Candy Man”, “Pure Imagination”, “Oompa Loompa” and “I Want it Now” by Academy® and Grammy® award winner Anthony Newley.
Performances: January 8 & 9, 2010

Book by Richard Henry Morris and Dick Scanlan
New Music by Jeanine Tesori
New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
It’s the zany new 1920’s musical that took Broadway by storm! Young Millie Dillmount moves to New York City in search of a new life at a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were changing forever. Based on the popular movie, the stage version includes a full score of new songs and bright dance numbers.
Performances: May 7 & 8, 2010

FALL TERM: Sept 21 - Dec 18, 2009 SPRING TERM: Jan 18 - Apr 16, 2010

Studio 1
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
		3:15 - 4:00pm: Pre-Intro to Theatre & Music	3:15 - 4:00pm: Pre-Intro to Theatre & Music
4:15 - 5:10pm: Musical Theatre 1	4:15 - 5:10pm: Jazz Dance 1	4:15 - 5:00pm: Intro to Theatre & Music	4:15 - 5:45pm: Advanced Acting for the Camera	4:00 - 6:30pm: Musical Rehearsal
5:15 - 6:45pm: Pre-High School Acting & Musical Theatre	5:15 - 6:10pm: Jazz Dance 2	5:15 - 6:10pm: Beginning Acting for the Camera
	6:15 - 7:45pm: Teen Dance	6:15 - 7:10pm: Musical Theatre 2

Studio 2
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
4:15 - 5:45pm: Acting & Improv 3	4:15 - 5:00pm: Intro to Theatre & Music	4:15 - 5:10pm: Musical Theatre 1	4:15 - 5:00pm: Intro to Theatre & Music
	5:15 - 6:10pm: Musical Theatre 1	5:15 - 6:10pm: Acting & Improv 2	5:15 - 6:10pm: Acting & Improv 1
6:15 - 7:10pm: Musical Theatre 2	6:15 - 7:10pm: Musical Theatre 2	6:15 - 7:45pm: Musical Theatre 3
7:15 - 8:45pm: High School Acting & Musical Theatre	7:15 - 8:45pm: Musical Theatre 3

MTC’s Nationally-Recognized
College Preparatory Program!
Did you know that College Acting and Musical Theatre Degree Programs can be the most competitive degree tracks, with more than 1500 students audition for only 20 Freshman slots?! MTC’S College Seminar is a must for students and their families interested in pursuing an acting or musical theatre degree path in college! MTC College Program Alumni have been accepted into the top Performing Arts Programs in the country including NYU, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Boston Conservatory, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Syracuse University, Emerson College, Muhlenberg College, Ithaca College, and University of Miami. MTC boasts a 98% placement rate for BA and BFA degree programs and has developed personal relationships with more than 25 college music and theatre departments! MTC’s four-year college prep program gives even the most gifted students the optimum edge they need!

Freshman or Sophomore Year: The College Seminar |
Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Year | Senior Year Intensive

Freshman or Sophomore Year:
The MTC College Seminar

The Foundation of College Performing Arts Programming
Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 10am

This workshop is the first step in your college process including where to start, what to ask, who to call—the performing arts college process start to finish! The workshop covers the many crucial elements of performing arts degrees high school and private college counselors don’t know, including:

· Is a performing arts degree right for you?
· Details on over 50 colleges and their programs
· How to ‘college shop’ and narrow the field
· Degree programs and their differences
· Timing—earlier than you think!
· Finding the right fit - crucial to your success!
· Unique, crucial elements to performing degree programs
· Academic impact and audition requirements
· Making the most of your on-site tour
· Audition material selection and preparation

Includes 2 1/2 hour College Seminar and one private consultation
Tuition: $195

Freshman, Sophmore and Junior Year
- Teen Acting and Musical Theatre (90 min /wk) $585/term
- Private Voice (30 min/wk) $585/term
- Teen Dance (90 min/wk) $520/term
- Ongoing private consultations with families including individual profiling of students based on learning style, career path, degree criteria; identifying target programs, development of college visit list and ultimate audition list.

SAVE OVER 15% WITH THE “TOTAL COLLEGE TRAINING PACKAGE” (includes all of the above): $1395/term (Does not qualify for any other discounts)

Senior Year Intensive
Individualized audition package development including building your complete audition package - private monologue and song coaching, selection and development, presentation development - along with consultation on headshots, resumes and wardrobe; college dance audition classes.

- Private Acting Coaching (30 min/wk) $585/term
- Private Voice (30 min/wk) $585/term
- Teen Dance (90 min/wk) $520/term
- Ongoing private consultation including step-by-step scheduling, strategizing, and creating your college program auditions.

SAVE OVER 15% WITH THE “SENIOR AUDITION PACKAGE” (includes all of the above):
$1395/term (Does not qualify for any other discounts)

	Kevin Connors (Director/Faculty) Professional musical theatre composer and director for almost 30 years. Off-Broadway credits include Prime Time Prophet, Jukebox Saturday Night, The Abandoned Loves of Frederick R., Life Anonymous, Lover - The Valentino Musical, Babes Off Broadway (finalist for the Michael Stewart Production Award), Saloon and Suzy Q. Connecticut credits include numerous professional productions including The Fantasticks, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Babes in Toyland, Bah Humbug! (all at Stamford’s Rich Forum); Grand Re-Opening of the Palace Theatre starring Skitch Henderson, Louise Pitre, James Naughton and Joan Rivers; Baby (Polka Dot Playhouse), Christopher Columbus and Operetta in Red, White and Blue (New England Lyric Operetta). Mr. Connors began his career as a performer touring his own act with Bob Hope, Henny Youngman and Johnny Mathis, and his debut CD - The Things We Never Say - was released in October 2000. In 1987 he co-founded Music Theatre of Connecticut with Jim Schilling, and has since directed many of the Equity MTC MainStage productions including Yours, Anne (Connecticut Critics Circle award nominee), It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (2008 Moss Hart Award Winner), A Little Night Music, Edges, john & jen and The Last 5 Years; as well as writing original music and lyrics for more than 10 childrens’ musicals. His latest work - Mothers and Sons (with playwright Joe Landry) had its critically-acclaimed World Premiere on the MTC Mainstage in January 2009 and is currently in development for Off-Broadway. He has served as Adjunct Professor of Musical Theatre at The Hartt School of Music/University of Hartford and the University of Bridgeport, taught at Musical Theatre Works in NYC, and has created many of MTC’s educational programs including the nationally-recognized College-Bound in the Performing Arts, which he now presents at theatre schools throughout the country. Kevin is a proud member of AEA, ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild. www.kevconnors.com
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	Jim Schilling (Director/Faculty) co-founded MTC in 1987 and has served as teaching artist, Artist in Residence, director, general manager, actor, producer and currently as Director of the School of Performing Arts. He has directed a number of MTC MainStage productions including Something’s Afoot, Some Enchanted Evening and I Do, I Do. He has also directed numerous Student Productions including Anything Goes, Oliver!, The Music Man, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Annie (all at the Westport Country Playhouse) The Sound of Music, Grease (3x), Godspell (3x), Funny Girl, (at the Quick Center) Annie, Annie Get Your Gun, Once On This Island, Zombie Prom and Lucky Stiff. Acting credits include Upper Broadway (Westport Country Playhouse), Hamlet (starring Tony Roberts), The Fantasticks (Rich Forum), It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and on MTC’s MainStage in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well..., Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down, and Yours, Anne. Film credits include Bullets Over Broadway, Cadillac Man, Soapdish and Dead Man Walking. As an arts educator, Jim has created a number of programs for MTC School of Performing Arts and for MTC’s ArtReach programs in area schools including Briggs High School (Norwalk),Weston Public Schools, Minds In Motion (Westport/Weston/Wilton), Rogers Magnet School (Stamford), Six-to-Six School (Bridgeport) and Coleytown Middle and Elementary Schools in Westport. Jim holds a BFA degree in Musical Theatre from Otterbein College in Ohio, with an emphasis on childrens’ theatre and was also trained at the Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Playwright’s Horizons in New York City and Improv Asylum in Boston. Jim, a graduate of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts’ AMICI Arts Management Program, continues as a Blue Ribbon Panelist for the Daytime Emmy Awards, and a member of “Who’s Who in the American Theatre” from 1991-present. Member AEA, SAG, AFTRA.
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	Marty Bongfeldt (Faculty) joined the faculty of Music Theatre of Connecticut in the fall of 2001. Marty has a wide range of experience in many different aspects of show business. She started working professionally as a child doing commercials and theatre, later adding feature film and television credits with such directors as Ron Howard and Brian DePalma. Early in her career, Marty received such honors as being chosen from a very select group of actor/singers to be coached by the legendary Mary Martin. Honors and recognition have continued throughout Marty’s career, one recent honor: of the many actresses who have performed Val in A Chorus Line, it was Marty who was asked to perform “Dance Ten, Looks Three” for Marvin Hamlisch at the awards ceremony for Mr. Hamlisch’s Lifetime Achievement Award directed by Tony Award winning director Tommy Walsh. New York and regional stage credits include Comanche Cafe & Domino Courts, Gillette, Steel Magnolias and Biloxi Blues. Musicals include Amalia in She Loves Me, Tiger Lily opposite Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan, Pam in Baby, Carrie in Carousel, Lily St. Regis in Annie and Bonnie in Anything Goes opposite Van Johnson. Ms. Bongfeldt has originated roles in many new works produced in NYC including Alexander Zhurbin’s A Nervous Splendor, Hell’s Belles, A Murder is Foretold, and Madly in Love. Marty is a teacher and a professional choreographer/director, and has served many times on film sets as dialogue coach and legal guardian to under-aged actors. Marty has worked as a casting assistant for commercials and live industrials in NYC and served as the casting coordinator for Square Route and Twin Tiger’s Productions as well as production coordinator for HYT Productions in New York City. Member AEA, SAG and AFTRA.
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	Mary Jo Duffy (Faculty) performed on and off Broadway before moving to Newtown, CT with her husband Daniel, daughter A’ine, and four labrador retrievers. Mary Jo began her formal vocal training with Metropolitan Opera singer Mimi Lerner in Pittsburgh, PA, then went on to study with Lorenzo Malfatti and Margaret Ross at Chatham College as a Minna Kaufmann Ruud voice scholar. Mary Jo continued her vocal training after college with Beatrice Krebs at Carnegie-Mellon University before moving to New York City where she studied extensively with Tony McDowell. Mary Jo played Liberty in Tom O’Horgan’s Senator Joe on Broadway, Magnolia in the National and European tours of Showboat and has spent years working in regional theatres across the country, as well as industrial trade shows and television commercials. Favorite roles include Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Maria in West Side Story, Julie in Carousel and Laurey in Oklahoma. Mary Jo has worked with film director David Lynch at BAM and has performed as a soloist in several Columbia Artists Concert tours across the country. Ms. Duffy has been directing the musicals at the Fraser-Woods School in Newtown for the past four years as well as guest directing in some of the local public schools. Mary Jo teaches musical theatre, drama, and private voice in Newtown, CT, and has been on the MTC vocal faculty since 2003. Member AEA, SAG.
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	Deborah Levy (Faculty) has been on the faculty at MTC since 1989! Aside from teaching and directing at MTC, Deb worked at the Johnston Talent Agency for thirteen years. Deb was a commercial agent for two well known children’s agencies in New York; Abrams Artists and Associates, and Jordan, Gill and Dornbaum. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College, Deb studied acting at Circle in the Square in NYC. She performed in several Off Broadway productions including Inside Out and Mrs. Warren’s Profession. Summer Stock credits include Fiddler on the Roof at the New Jersey Festival Theatre, as well as roles with Keene State Theatre, Hope Theatre, and The Summer Theatre at Mount Holyoke College. Deb also performed in a live Industrial for Pepsi Cola (where she met her husband, Mark), and she also appeared in several soap operas including One Life to Live and As the World Turns. Currently Deb performs with Steppin’ Out Entertainment, a local theatre group that does murder mysteries, musical revues and the holiday show at the Spinning Wheel Inn in Redding, CT. She lives in Trumbull with her husband and their daughters, Leah (a graduate of the MTC College-Bound program) and Justine. Member AEA, AFTRA.
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	Sarah Pfisterer (Faculty) has played over 1000 performances in the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and across the country. She was nominated for the prestigious Joseph Jefferson award for her portrayal of the romantic heroine. Also on Broadway, she played Magnolia in Harold Prince's award-winning revival of Show Boat, and was seen in Children and Art directed by Richard Maltby, celebrating Stephen Sondheim’s 75th birthday. Off Broadway she played Anna Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis at the Irish Repertory Theatre. Regionally she appeared in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Maria in Sound of Music (IRNE award for Best Actress), Julie in Carousel (IRNE award for Best Actress), Marian in The Music Man (IRNE Award nomination), Anna in The King and I (IRNE Award nomination), Belle in Beauty and the Beast (IRNE Award nomination), Betty Blake in Will Rogers Follies, and Eliza in My Fair Lady. A Metropolitan Opera semi-finalist, Sarah has done extensive concert work with conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas and John McGlinn and did a recording of Jerome Kern’s Oh Boy in London under the direction of Mr. McGlinn. She has appeared on The Today Show and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. In addition to numerous commercials and industrial films, she is featured in the music video Beggar's Waltz. Sarah has Bachelors and Masters degrees from Northwestern University. She has given Master Classes in voice and acting at high schools and colleges across the country and has taught private voice for a number of years. She is the proud mom of Hannah and Lily.
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	Kimberly Porio (Faculty) began her dance training in jazz, tap and ballet with Mikki Williams at A Dance Class in Westport, Connecticut in 1975. She later performed all across the tri-state area with “The Jazz Troupe” directed by Ms. Williams, including performances at The Levitt Pavilion, the SoNo Arts Festival and “A Tribute to Tony Bennett” at the St. James Theatre on Broadway. Kimberly taught Jazz classes at A Dance Class prior to attending Providence College where she studied Modern Jazz and Ballet. Kimberly taught a Master Jazz Class at Providence College and was a contributing choreographer for the first annual PC Dance Company performance. She continues her training at D’Valda and Sirico Dance Center in Fairfield, where she taught both ballet and jazz from 1999-2002 and teaches Jazz Dance to the Dance Club at Green Farms Academy during their Winter term. She is excited and proud to be continuing her teaching career here at MTC.
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Tuition Information | Register Now and Save! | Policy/Procedure

Each Term is 12 Weeks in Length:
FALL TERM: Sept 21 - Dec 17, 2009
SPRING TERM: Jan 18 - Apr 16, 2010

Tuition Information
Pre-Intro, Intro, Levels 1 & 2, Beginning Camera	$395/term
Level 3, Pre-High School, High School, Advanced Camera	$585/term
Teen Dance	$520/term
Private Voice (30 min/week)	$585/term
Student Productions	$650/production
College-Bound Seminar*	$195
Private Acting Coaching for College Auditions**	$585/term
Total College Training Package* - Save over 15%! Teen Acting and Musical Theatre, Private Voice and Teen Dance	$1395/term
Senior Audition Package** - Save over 15%! Private Acting Coaching, Private Voice and Teen Dance	$1395/term
* freshmen, sophomores, juniors ** seniors only

Family Discount
Have more than one child at MTC? Take 10% off tuition for the 2nd child!*

*Discounts apply to MTC Classes and Productions only. Sorry, no discounts for Private Lessons. Only one discount per family.

Registration
Only students who have registered and paid the appropriate fees, made payment arrangements or are on financial aid/scholarship may participate in MTC classes or performances. All class, private lesson, and production fees are due by the beginning of each term. Registrations may be faxed, mailed, or e-mailed or by using the the online registration form located here. In addition to tuition and production fees, there is an annual registration fee of $25 (September 2009-August 2010).
New Families: All families new to MTC must attend an MTC Back to School Orientation meeting prior to the start of the fall term.

Payment
A minimum of 50% plus registration fee is due at the time of registration. Balance of class, workshop, and private lesson tuition is due in full no later than the first day of the term. Student Production fees must be paid on the audition day. MTC accepts cash payments, checks, VISA and MC. A $30 fee will be assessed on all returned checks. No class slot will be held for a student without completed/signed registration form and up-to-date tuition. Payment plans are available, call the office for details. All partial payment and payment plan clients must leave credit card number on file with MTC.

Refunds
Classes and private lessons are considered to be on a full term basis. If a student withdraws from a class or private lesson slot PRIOR TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF THE TERM, a full refund will be given (less the $25 registration fee). If a student withdraws LESS THAN TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE TERM, there will be NO REFUND OR CREDIT for tuition paid. Students delinquent in tuition will not be allowed into class. Any refund/s from payments processed online via PayPal will be less the the PayPal service charge.

Scholarship Subsidies
Scholarships are available to qualified students on the basis of financial need and availability. An application form and proof of income (via previous year’s federal income tax return) are required. All applications are reviewed annually by the MTC Scholarship Committee. Students may apply for scholarships for classes, productions and summer programs. Awarded scholarships cover up to a maximum of 50% of tuition. Deadline for academic year scholarship applications is August 15, 2009. Deadline for Summer Camp scholarships is January 31, 2010. There are no scholarships for private lessons. Applications are available in the MTC office or click here.

Make-Up Classes and Lessons
General make-up classes are provided once/term. For example, all Level 1 classes will be made up together at the end of the term. Consult your instructor for the make-up schedule. Students may NOT make up in other sections of the same class (e.g Tuesday Music Theatre 1 students may not make up in Thursday Music Theatre 1). There is ONE PRIVATE LESSON make-up provided/term. Make-up lessons canceled or missed by a student will be considered made-up. If make-up lessons are offered twice and refused, the lesson will be considered made-up. Lessons canceled due to inclement weather or teacher unavailability will be made up during the semester at a mutually-agreed upon time, or at the end of the term.

Student Absences
Students are expected to attend all classes and lessons regularly and punctually, and are expected to notify MTC if they must miss a class or lesson. If a student misses two consecutive classes and has not contacted MTC, the instructor will contact the parent. Three consecutive unexcused absences are grounds for termination with no refund or credit. Students must pay for all classes or lessons whether taken or missed.

Musicals and Advanced Classes
Once a student has auditioned for a musical or performance class and tuition has been paid, should the student drop out, there will be no refund or credit. If a student drops out after the rehearsal process has begun, the student will not be eligible to audition for another MTC show or performance program for one year.

Online:
Click here to open the online registration form.
MTC Online Registration requires FULL payment via PayPal.

By Phone:
Call 203.454.3883

By Fax:
1. Print the form
2. Fill out the form
3. Fax to MTC at (203) 226-6629

By Mail:
1. Print the form
2. Fill out the form
3. Mail to MTC, P.O. Box 344, Westport, CT 06881-0344