Brad has received a BA in Performing Arts/Theater from Eastern Connecticut State University, he's performed in productions throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York City. Recently Brad has become interested in improv and looks forward to continue studying this new passion. He is excited begin sharing his knowledge and love of theater to his students.

STACEY CURTI    Drama Instructor

Fall/Winter/Spring Classes

Stacey Curti has had a dedicated career in the performing arts, with over 20 years experience as a performer, instructor and manager. Originally from California, she grew up performing in children’s theater and community theater, started choreographing productions and teaching acting classes at the age of sixteen, and continued her love of the performing arts by earning a BA in Drama from the University of California at Irvine. After relocating to the east coast, she worked in arts management for several years as the Programs Manager for New York City Dance Alliance, the Company Manager for New York City Theatrical Events, and then the Managing Director of The Play Group Theater in White Plains, NY. She currently directs and choreographs children’s theater productions for Crystal Theatre in Norwalk, CT and is excited to join the Performing Arts Programs team this fall.

Fran is a 2006 graduate of the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Music and  a B.S. in Education. Between 2006 and 2011 Fran worked as the Choral Director in Pawcatuck, CT where he formed a drama club, acting as the director and musical director for both Annie Jr. and Beauty and the Beast Jr. Outside of school, Fran founded the Eastern Connecticut Children’s Chorus, an auditioned ensemble for students between the ages of 7 and 15 that is centered in New London. Fran has been a part of more than thirty plays as a director, actor, pit musician, and dancer. As an avid performer, Fran has sung with the Vernon Chorale, the Chorus of Westerly, the Stonington Choral Society, and the St. James Festival Chorus as a choir member, section leader, and soloist. Fran is very excited to join the dynamic staff this summer!

Stephanie is an actress, singer and dancer who has performed in the Boston area and throughout Western Massachusetts. She has attended Berklee College of Music in Boston for voice and Circle in the Square Theater School in NYC for Musical Theater. She has also received her Associates in Early Childhood Education and taught preschool for the last four years in Western Mass. Some of her favorite roles have been Nellie in South Pacific, Mrs. Walker in The Who’s Tommy, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Marion in The Music Man and Sally in Cabaret. Stephanie is excited to share her great love and joy for the theater with her students.

KATHLEEN MAHAN    Drama Instructor

Fall/Winter/Spring Classes

Kathleen attended the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. As a performer she appeared at the Carousel Dinner Theater in Maine, the Shubert Theater in New Haven, and the National Musical Theater Network in New York. She has also performed with many children's theater companies throughout the Northeast. Kathleen is the stage director of the Westchester Girls Choir and directs the children's cantatas at the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY. She is very excited about working with the attending children of Performing Arts Acting Classes.

A sophomore attending West Chester University as a Music Education Vocal major, Tyler has been acting and singing since the age of eight. He has performed on stages such as The Hartford Children’s Theatre, Newington Children’s Theater Company, the Thomaston Opera House, The Hartford Stage, as well as numerous main roles in his high school theater at Northwestern Regional #7, such as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Jekyll in Jekyll & Hyde, and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. He has also become assistant director for S.T.A.R. 7 at his local high school theater since its inception last summer. Tyler is excited to be on board this summer, after being a student in the Performing Arts Youth Collective for three years.

Emily is so thrilled to be apart of the PAP community! She is currently enrolled at Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, where she is in the BFA Acting program and is enjoying every minute of it. She was apart of PAP’s Performing Arts Youth Collective for two years which helped solidify her love for the theater.  She has been apart of various theater productions throughout CT, and when she is not performing on stage, she tries to see as many shows as possible!

Shannon has received a BM from the Manhattan School of Music. She has been involved in many theatrical endeavors, including theater instruction, community theater, and educational children's theater. When she is not working with students she is working closely with the other instructors as the office manager at Performing Arts Programs.  She is very excited to be a part of Performing Arts Programs so she can share her love for the arts with young performers.

Melissa is about to be a senior dance performance major at Oklahoma City University and is a member of the American Spirit Dance Company there.  She is originally from Ledyard, Connecticut where she studied dance for 15 years at the Dance Extension under the direction of Maggie and Nancy Dennis.  Melissa served as Dance Captain for the Community Dance Ensemble and was named Studio Dancer of the Year at the Dance Extension for which she received a scholarship to the Tremaine Convention in NYC.  In addition to studying tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, modern and hip-hop at the Dance Extension, Melissa also studied with the Mystic Ballet and Eastern Connecticut Ballet.  She was the first high school student to be named head coach for a Ledyard Youth League cheerleading squad and has since gone on to teach improv, acting, and dance in various theatres in Connecticut and Oklahoma City. She is very excited to bring her musical theatre dance training to the Performing Arts Programs students this summer!

Erin Newhall received her early training at Helene Joy School of Dance in Middleton Massachusetts.  She continued dancing at Salem State University where she was a Presidential Arts Scholar and two time recipient of the Creativity Award for her choreography.  Under the direction of Catlin Corbett, Erin received her degree in Sport and Movement Science with a concentration in Dance.  She performed her original works at ACDFA and Boston University, and performed and traveled with the dance theater company Movement Workshop Group.  She was a member of Unyted Stylz, a Boston based hip hop company, and continues to dance with the LB Arts Collective.  Erin has taught classes in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and hip hop at several Massachusetts dance studios.  As a competition director she won several awards for her choreography.   She is currently a dance faculty member at the Dana Hall School and the Paige Conservatory.

JACQUELINE SEREBRANI-KESNER    Drama Instructor

Fall/Winter/Spring Classes

Jacqueline is an interdisciplinary arts educator, drama specialist, theatre director, playwright and writer. In addition to teaching, curriculum development and private consultation, she has lead artist-in-residency programs Off-Broadway, in regional theatre, for public and private schools and universities. Her work spans cross-cultural populations including students with learning differences. Much of her work also focuses on social issues that have deep significance for students at all strata of society. She is currently Director of Creative Arts Enrichment, an interdisciplinary arts company that provides residency programs, teaching training and individual and group consultation/workshops. She is also a Creative Director at Auracana; a film, television and digital marketing/content development company. She received her Bachelor's from SUNY/Loughborough University UK, and a Master’s degree from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She believes students of all ages learn best through a thoughtfully guided process that ignites their interest in learning. When a teacher carries an enthusiasm and interest, so too will their students. She strives in my work to wake people up, to really see…to live fully, to love learning completely, from the inside out.

Eleanor Tynan is studying musical theater at The Catholic University of America, in Washington DC. Born and raised in Western Massachusetts, she has been involved in regional theater for nearly 10 years. She has also studied with the Claddagh School of Irish Dance in Springfield for thirteen years. Eleanor has won two awards including the Exit Seven Scholarship in 2011, and the Minnechaug Regional High School Chorus Award. Some of her favorite theater involvements include co-directing the original opera Dreamtime, playing Mama in the youth production of Once on this Island, and Jack's Mother in the youth production of Into the Woods. Eleanor is very grateful and excited to be working with Performing Arts Programs.