Frog and Toad charms audiences of all ages

When A Year With Frog and Toad opened on Broadway in 2003, it broke new ground by bringing professional children's theater to Broadway.

This weekend, Patel Conservatory Theater students bring this beloved musical to the Straz Center’s TECO Theater for audiences of all ages.

Based on the children's stories by Arnold Lobel, with a Tony-nominated score by Robert and Willie Reale, the show follows the woodland adventures of two amphibious friends, a worrywart toad and a perky frog, through four, fun-filled seasons.

Performed by students in grades 5 to 8, kids and adults alike will enjoy this charming story of enduring friendship.

Lindsey Davis, right, as Frog, and Micah Brooks as Toad

Director Matthew Belopavlovich was the perfect fit for the this show which pays homage to vaudeville. Belopavlovich’s original clown-theatre piece, LAUFFITI, was presented at the 2012 New York Clown Theatre Festival, and he recently toured with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

“The director, his direction and dream he wanted for this show has been so fun and thrilling to be a part of. I have loved bringing his dream to life,” said choreographer Susan Downey.

The set was designed by the vertible team of Amy and Tyler Leavitt, who designed the set for PCT’s summer production of Jungle Book. Detailed features include hand-painted floors and an impressive 20-foot custom soaring proscenium that frames the stage.

“To walk in the TECO and see the transformation alone is worth it,” said Downey.

This is surely one you and your family won't want to miss!

The show runs tomorrow, Nov. 6 through Sun., Nov. 9, 2014. For show times and tickets, click here.

Auditions for Winnie the Pooh, Kids and Fiddler on the Roof

The Straz Center’s Patel Conservatory will host auditions for our spring theater productions of Winnie the Pooh, Kids and Fiddler on the Roof.

The shows are performance-based production classes through which students put into practice the skills they gain in the classroom. They’ll build theater, music, and dance skills while participating in a nurturing, yet demanding, rehearsal process that culminates in public performance.

In order to participate, students must also be registered for an approved Patel Conservatory class. For more information on classes, click here.

Auditions for Winnie the Pooh, Kids
Open to students in Grades 2 to 4

Wed., Dec. 3 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 6  from 10 a.m. to noon

Callbacks Dec. 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Click here for production info

Students should prepare for 16 bars of a song from musical theater, a 30 second monologue or poem, and should come prepared to dance. Sheet music is preferred.

Auditions for Fiddler on the Roof

Open to students in Grades 5 through Adult

Mon., Jan. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Tues., Jan. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m.

 Callbacks Wed, Jan. 14  from 4 to 6 p.m.
Click here for production info

Students should prepare and provide sheet music for 16 bars of a song from musical theater, a 60 second monologue, and should come prepared to dance.

RSVP is required. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Audrey Siegler at audrey.siegler@strazcenter.org.

Two more chances to see the Good Doctor!

Patel Conservatory Theater presents The Good Doctor tonight and tomorrow only!

Lucas Coura captures the somewhat scattered personality of a writer as he portrays the Russian writer Anton Chekhov in this light comedy, written by Neil Simon and based on stories by Chekhov.

“I really enjoyed finding the subtle humor of the play,” said Coura.

Any writer can appreciate Chekhov’s narration, which jumps from one idea to the next. Chekhov’s narration is interwoven with the stories he writes.

“I love Neil Simon and am super excited to perform one of his plays,” said Spence Gabriel, who plays Cherdyakou.

Gabriel has performed in community theater throughout the Tampa Bay area. This is his first show with the Conservatory.

His former performances include Night at the Wax Museum and Honk. He played Rolf in Sound of Music, and Link Larkin in Hairspray. He was recently chosen to be one of the hosts of the Patel Conservatory’s 2013 Spotlight Awards in May.

“The goal of the Patel Conservatory is amazing. To educate kids, including underprivileged kids, it’s what I want to do with my life,” said Spence. “Theater helped me a lot when I was young, so I want to show others that it can help them as well.”

Spence says he was shy as a kid, and had a hard time dealing with his parents’ divorce. Stepping into someone else’s shoes and becoming different characters became an outlet for him to express himself.

“I could get up on stage and let it all out,” he said.

“It’s an honor to be here at the Conservatory, and an honor to be in the Good Doctor and Spotlight.”

Check out Spence as one of Chekhov’s smartly witty characters in the Good Doctor, this weekend only!

Performances of The Good Doctor will be Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Meet the Cast: Music Man Jr.

by Paige Strott, Patel Conservatory Marketing Intern

The Music Man Jr. opens this week, and it's sure to be a stellar performance by Patel Conservatory Theater students.

Natalie Cottrill, 13, plays the lead female role, Marian Pavoo. Natalie takes Musical Theater classes at the Conservatory and she’s a member of the Junior Choir. 

"When I was 9 years old I started acting and it completely brought me out of my shell," said Natalie.

This is her first production at the Conservatory.

"Ever since I started musical theater I have had so many opportunities that I am grateful for," she said.

Preston Barber, from Seminole, plays Mr. Shinn, the mayor of River City, Iowa.

“This is the first time I’ve had to be a mean person, it was a different change of pace. I had to adapt,” said Preston.

A student at Osceola Fundamental High School, Preston, 14, is trying something new both with his role and at the Conservatory. A longtime ballet student who has been in The Nutcracker, this is Preston’s first year in musical theater and junior choir.

"I love it! It's a lot of fun," said Preston.

Hannah Anton, 12, plays Winthrop in The Music Man.

It's not her first time playing a male role.

"I've had to play a boy a lot, I guess because I'm really short, and I have a low voice," said Hannah. 

She is from South Tampa and attends Wilson Middle School. Hannah has been with the Patel Conservatory Theater for three years, and she's also taken dance and violin classes here.

Hannah says that being part of the shows at the Patel Conservatory is like family.

Join these members of The Music Man Jr. cast and many more from Apr. 11 through Apr. 20, 2013 in the TECO Theater!

For tickets, click here.  

Dig It! cast gives a preview at Children's Museum

Thanks to the members of the cast of Dig It! who gave a preview of the upcoming show at Target Tuesday at the Glazer Children’s Museum last week.

Dig It! is an educational, family-friendly show that explores the wonders of ancient civilizations. It’s the perfect show for young children to attend and experience live theater.

Students in grades two through four have been hard at work rehearsing for the performances, which will be Feb. 28 through March 8 in the TECO Theater. 

“Dig It! is a magnificent way to introduce young ones to significant moments in archeological history,” said Ami Sallee, Patel Conservatory theater chair.

“The cast of young elementary students act, sing and dance around subjects that might seem dry or boring in a text book and breathe life into these ‘old bones.’ The show will be fun for the whole family."

The show is directed by Audrey Siegler and choreographed by Rodner Salgado. Music directors are Allison Novak and Kavan Gillespie.

At last week's preview, the students had a great time performing musical numbers from the show, including So Long Ago. They entertained children and families, and even let some of the kids join in the fun!

For tickets to the show, please visit patelconservatory.org.

Free Movie Night

Join us for a free Movie Night at the Patel Conservatory in downtown Tampa.

The Patel Conservatory will host a screening of the 1962 film adaptation of the Broadway musical The Music Man on Wed., Dec. 5.

In anticipation of Patel Conservatory Youth Theater’s (PCYT) production of The Music Man, Jr., all students, friends and family are invited for popcorn and the movie.

PCYT will present The Music Man, Jr in April. Get a sneak peak of the show before auditions, which will be this Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012.

Film synopsis: Robert Preston repeats his legendary stage performance as fast-talking con man Harold Hill, who goes from town to town selling citizens on starting a "boy’s band." He takes their money, promising to teach the kids how to be musicians, and he skips town. Looking for new suckers in Iowa, Hill arrives in River City and soon sets his sights on winning over local music teacher Marian Paroo (Shirley Jones). Find out what happens as Hill tries to keep his scam a secret!

The free movie screening will be Dec. 5, 2012 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the TECO Theater.

R.S.V.P. on Facebook, and invite your friends!

For more information, call 813.222.1002.

Kiss Me, Kate starts next week!

While the cast of Kiss Me, Kate had fun dressing up for Halloween, they also spent time getting acclimated as it was their first day on set!

Production week is here, sets are in place, and the cast and crew are gearing up for a great run!

Cast of Kiss Me, Kate celebrate Halloween! From left, Mario
Gallinari, Emily Schultz, Jennifer Miecznikowski,
Brad Roberts, and, front, Harley Crosby.

Join us Nov. 8 - 17, 2012 in the TECO Theater! For tickets, click here.

Spotlight on Lucas Coura

When Lucas Coura signed up for the Patel Conservatory’s summer Vocal Arts program last year, he was just looking for something to do.

What he found was a world of possibility.

Lucas Coura with Kristen Walker

“There are so many opportunities available, so many things to do,” said Lucas, who plays Fred in the upcoming PCYT production of Kiss Me, Kate.

Shortly after that first summer at the Patel Conservatory, he began taking private voice lessons, then became a member of the Opera Tampa Chorus.

This year, he’s added acting and musical theater to his studies. He’s again a member of this year’s Opera Tampa Chorus, as well as the Conservatory’s Senior Choir.

“When studying music and theater, you learn as much about yourself as you do about the craft. It’s been a fantastic journey that has allowed me to learn what I’m on this planet to do,” said Lucas.

Lucas grew up on Long Island, NY, where theater was a way of life for him at school.

“Maybe because we were so close to the city, it was a cultural thing, but everyone was into theater,” said Lucas.

He moved to Riverview with his family five years ago and graduated last year from Riverview High School.

This, he’s immersed himself in studying the performing arts at the Conservatory.

In Kiss Me, Kate, he plays Fred, the director, producer and star of the play within the play.

“This role is the biggest challenge I’ve had so far...I’ve never had to take on a part that was this broad...Fred is not a bad guy.  He’s someone who likes to win, is stubborn and headstrong, but he really does have a good heart,” said Lucas.

“I’m having a lot of fun with it. Diving into all these facets in a person really makes a character come to life.”

The cast and crew have been hard at work polishing everything from character to choreography, and set and light design.

“The show is going to be a huge event,” said Lucas. “It’s funny, dramatic, witty, outrageous, realistic - all at the same time. This makes the show extraordinarily challenging, yet incredibly fun and rewarding to play.”

Kiss Me, Kate runs through Nov. 8 - 17, 2012. For tickets, click here.

You can also see Lucas perform in the Christmas with Opera Tampa Chorus concerts on Dec. 2 and 3, 2013, and in the Vocal Arts concert on Dec. 11, 2012 at the Straz Center.

Be prepared with upcoming audition workshops

Do you get nervous at the very thought of an audition?

Take the fear out of the auditioning process with our upcoming workshop series.

The Patel Conservatory in Tampa is hosting a series of audition workshops for grades 5 to 8, and grade 9 through adult, designed to help actors develop the skills to present a successful and professional audition.

We got feedback from artistic directors in the Tampa Bay area and around Florida, and they said that three things are consistently lacking in auditions.

“We have devoted our workshops to those three points,” said Ami Sallee, theater department chair. “Actors need to be prepared before they walk into an audition, they must know their monologue backwards and forwards and they should know the basics of passing a music and dance audition.”

The audition series features three different workshops covering different topics. Take one, or take all three! The choice is yours.

This workshop series is perfect for students who are interested in auditioning for one of our Patel Conservatory Youth Theater spring musicals.

Audition workshop series

Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.

Nov. 30 - Dec. 14, 2012

Friday, Nov. 30, 2012

Part I: Professionalism and Confidence: Resume composition, headshot guidelines, how-to slate, proper audition attire, audition etiquette and seeking out auditions.

Dec. 7, 2012

Part II: Monologues and Cold Readings: Monologue package selection, transitions, how-to do a cold reading, in-the-audition-room tips and tools for post-show interviews and callbacks.

Dec. 14, 2012

Part III: Audition Songs and Dance Combinations: Picking an audition song that suits your voice, learning choreography, assembling an audition book and mock audition.

The cost per workshop is $50 each. Or, purchase the three-week workshop package for only $135.

All participants who purchase the three-week workshop package will also receive a voucher good for one 30-minute private acting lesson! (Private lessons must be individually scheduled through the registrar’s office.)

To register, click here, or call 813-222-1002.

For more audition tips, click here.

Spotlight on Adam Wagner

The Patel Conservatory welcomes musical theater instructor Adam Wagner to our full-time faculty.

Working in conjunction with our music department, the theater department has developed a pre-professional track for acting students who want to pursue a career in musical theater.

To that end, Wagner joined the Conservatory to help oversee the musical theater program.

“I love that this is an educational and extracurricular program, but not something that’s just an after school activity. It really is a high quality performance conservatory,” said Wagner, who is directing the fall PCYT production of Kiss Me, Kate.

Originally from Chesterton, Indiana, Wagner is a graduate of the musical theater program at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He also studied dramatic arts at the British Academy of Dramatic Arts in Oxford, England.

An award-winning artist and self-taught pianist, he’s worn many hats including actor, composer, producer, director and choreographer.

Most recently, he served as the artistic director at the Grandstreet Theatre in Helena, Mont. which combined a community theater company with a theater education program.

“I really felt like I was making a difference in the community,” he said. “To educate is an incredible challenge for me and really exciting. I get to share things I love, and encourage and arm students with confidence, creative expression and the ability to trust themselves.”

With shows like Kiss Me, Kate, he gets to fuse his varied artistic skills. Performed by high school and college aged students enrolled at the Patel Conservatory, the show is treated as a class so they get the educational experience, as well as the experience of being in a professional level production.

“I’m at home at a place that is continually developing new programs and striving the for the best,” he said.

Spotlight on Caleb Quezon

Ever since Caleb Quezon saw Wicked on Broadway when he was six years old, he knew he wanted to perform.

The thirteen-year-old from South Tampa plays the debonair Lumière in this weekend’s PCYT production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr. at the Straz Center.

“This was probably one of the most difficult characters for me to play because he’s a ladies man and hits on all the girls, but it’s a fun character,” said Caleb.

As soon as Caleb began taking classes at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz shortly after he saw Wicked, he knew it was the place for him.

“The people here always accepted me and were always so nice,” said Caleb. “My first director was Miss Ami [Sallee] and she’s always fun to be around.”

Over the years, he’s been in several of our PCYT (Patel Conservatory Youth Theater) productions, from Music Man to last summer’s hit Seussical, the Musical, Jr. He even had the opportunity to perform in the 2008 Broadway tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the Morsani theater as an orphan.

“A hundred kids auditioned, and they only chose six,” said Caleb. “It was pretty difficult..we had three days to learn our lines and blocking and then it was the night of the show.”

Accustomed to putting a show together quickly, he and more than 50 cast members have been working for Beauty and the Beast, Jr. for nearly three weeks. In the first week, it was a crash course of lines and choreography, and they’ve been polishing and practicing ever since.

“Line learning has never been that much of a challenge for me, but choreography is hard for me,” he admits.

Today the group endured mic checks and sound checks as they went through technical rehearsal in Ferguson Hall. The incredible, professional sets and production team give the kids invaluable experience.

The long rehearsals and challenges are all part of the fun, says Caleb.

“It’s what I love doing. I want to be doing this my entire life,” he said. “Whenever I’m on stage...I’m what God made us to be, which is unique.”

Bring the kids out to see the wondrous Beauty and Beast, Jr. at 7 p.m. this Thurs., July 19 and Fri., July 20, 2012. Click here for tickets.

Normal welcomes panelists for post-show discussions

 Cast of Normal: the Musical at the Patel Conservatory, from left to right:
Hannah Rashbaum, Jamie Jones, Maggie Mularz and Lucy Gutierrez

Parents and teenagers, mark your calendars for our PCYT production of Normal: the Musical on June 29 and 30, 2012.

The rock musical is about how a family deals with their teenager’s eating disorder. While it tackles some tough topics in a fun and entertaining way, it also serves as a platform to help teens address stress. The show was adapted specifically for educational school productions.

To that end, following each performance, there will be a talkback discussion with medical professionals and members of the Conservatory creative team.

“The post-show discussions will be geared towards discussing larger issues in the musical’s content, such as stress-management, and what has become ‘normalized’ in today's culture in terms of self-care, or lack thereof,” said assistant director Matthew Belopavlovich.

Joining us for the talkbacks will be local medical professionals Elisha Contner, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist; Kourtney Gordon, from Fairwinds Treatment Center; and Johanna Kandel, founder and CEO of the Alliance for Eating Disorders.


In addition to the post-show talkbalks, Kandel will speak prior to Saturday night’s performance.

Kandel is the author of Life Beyond Your Eating Disorder. She will speak about her personal struggle with an eating disorder and road to recovery at 6 p.m. on Sat., June 30, 2012.


The educational panels are provided by the Normal non-profit organization which strives to educate families and teens about eating disorders, self-esteem and body image through arts and mindfulness programs.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and share in an open dialogue about universal issues that affect today’s teens.

The show runs Fri., June 29 at 4 and 7 p.m., and Sat., June 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Shimberg Playhouse at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa. Regularly priced tickets start at $8.

For more about the show, click here.

For tickets, click here, or call 813.229.STAR (7827).

Spotlight on: The Bear Went Over the Mountain actress Delaney O'Brien

Delaney, center, leads her Whovillians in the 2011 production of Seussical

Name: Delaney O’Brien

Age: 9

How long have you been a part of the Patel Conservatory family? 2 years

What is your role in The Bear Went Over The Mountain? Owl (Understudy) and Bunny 1

What is exciting to you about the show? Performing in front of a lot of people

What other courses have you taken at the Patel Conservatory? PCYT Jr. – Alice in Wonderland, Musical Theater and PCYT Jr. – Seussical

Why did you decide to study the performing arts? I love to sing and act

How has studying the performing arts been beneficial to you so far? It’s fun and hard at the same time

What do you think is interesting about yourself? I go out in the community and sing

Is there anything else you want to tell us about yourself? I also do cheerleading.


The Bear Went Over the Mountain continues this weekend, Thurs. - Sun., Mar. 8 - 10, 2012. Click here for tickets.

Theater Profile: Fiona Walsh Calton

Look for Fiona Walsh Calton on the TECO stage this March in the PCYT Production of  

The Bear Went Over the Mountain

Name: Fiona Walsh Calton

Age: 9

Grade: 4th

School: Harold H. Clark Elementary

How long have you been a part of the Patel Conservatory family? 4 years

What is your role in The Bear Went Over The Mountain? Da Bear Understudy (u/s) and Bunny 2

What other courses have you taken at the Patel Conservatory? Creative Drama, Dance for Musical Theater and Intro to Musical Theater

Why did you decide to study the performing arts? I saw a Dora The Explorer show and thought it might be fun.

How has studying the performing arts been beneficial to you so far? I learned singing at the Patel and am now in my school’s chorus. I learned about dancing and choreographed a song for my class to perform.

What do you think is interesting about yourself? I know how to knit a hat, I absolutely L-O-V-E heights and I am a very good writer.

Is there anything else you want to tell us about yourself? I’ve been to Isaac Newton’s house and my favorite author is Lemony Snicket.