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.

Visiting a place where every day people are living their dreams

contributed by Leslie Farrell, publicist for the Patel Conservatory


Ah, to see our world through fresh eyes!

Last night during a tour I was giving of the Straz Center to two teenage journalists, I remembered what it was like to experience a place I’ve been exploring for 16 years as if it were new for me.  The senses of wonder and possibility these girls felt when they when they peeked into the Patel Conservatory classrooms were infectious. 

Sometimes when you work in an incredible place like the Straz Center where magic truly happens every night, when you’re behind the scenes day after day, you can take for granted what an amazing place it is.

But when you show off the place you revere to someone new to the experience, it reopens your eyes. There's an immense pride in working here. Most of my coworkers don’t think of their time at the Straz Center as work but as their lifestyle; most of them are living their dreams.

As I walk her to the door, Adrienne, the photographer, tells me she used to play the viola. Her eyes noticeably light up when I describe the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra (auditions for the spring session are Jan. 8), how they’ve played twice in Carnegie Hall by invitation to standing ovations and how the Dublin Youth Orchestra is coming in February from Ireland to play with our young musicians. She and her father didn’t know that we have an orchestra.

Mariel, the writer, is interested in dance and I share her excitement when we peek in on Susan Downey’s jazz dance class to watch them rehearse for the showcase. Later, when I take her backstage behind Carol Morsani Hall where “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” is onstage and we peek into Ferguson Hall where “Wonderland” sets are being set up, she describes her own emotion as “ecstatic.”  I share her feeling and look forward to giving my next tour. 


For more information about classes in dance, theater or music, or to learn how you can get a backstage tour of the Straz Center, call 222-1002.

Show off your talent and win!

So you think you can dance?

How about act, sing or play an instrument? If the answer is yes to any of these, we want to hear from you!

Patel Conservatory's second annual Tampa's Got Talent competition is right around the corner. On Sunday, July 18, you'll have the chance to show off your amazing talent and possibly win one of four scholarships for fall classes.

Last year's dance scholarship recipient Bella Calafiura, 17, was this year's Little Mermaid in the recent PCYB production.

Bella started at the Patel Conservatory three years ago, commuting from Port Richey.

"She was ready to take her dance training to the next level," said Julie Calfiura, Bella's mother. "The cost of gas is outrageous, so the [scholarship] was a big help for us."

Bella is presently continuing her dance training at a two week summer intensive at Indiana University.

"Overall, it's just been a fabulous year," said Julie.

It could happen for you, too!

The Tampa's Got Talent competition is open to all Tampa Bay area residents, grades 2 through adult. Competitors will perform a prepared two-minute performance piece in front of a panel of judges in one or more of the following categories: voice, dance, theater and/or musical instrument.

For more information, or to register for the competition, call 813-222-6453.

Pictured above, right, Bella Calafiura, 2009 scholarship recipient, in the PCYB production of The Little Mermaid.