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Company

A series of workshops that provide an in-depth look at the many disciplines included in musical theatre performance, including singing, dancing, acting, and more. Company welcomes performing artists of all backgrounds, and you’ll find your place whether you’re brand new or a seasoned pro. 

Featuring local teaching artists and professionals from around the country, each month will cover a new topic, culminating in an end-of-year showcase to highlight the skills learned. 

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Each class is taught by Paul Canann and a guest artist, is $72, and ​​​is for grades 6-12

East Lansing
Wharton Center
750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824
6-8pm

  • Monday, October 13
    • Guest Artist: Carlos Encinias
  • Monday, November 10 
    • Guest Artist: Lauren Chapman 
  • Monday, January 12 
    • Guest Artist: TBD 
  • Monday, March 9
    • Guest Artist: TBD 

Detroit
MSU Detroit Center
3408 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
4-6pm

  • Sunday, October 12 
    • Guest Artist: Carlos Encinias
  • Sunday, November 9 
    • Guest Artist: Lauren Chapman 
  • Sunday, January 11
    • Guest Artist: TBD
  • Sunday, March 8
    • Guest Artist: TBD

About Paul Canaan

Broadway: Kinky Boots (dance captain / original Angel), Miss Saigon, Thoroughly Modern Millie, La Cage Aux Folles, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Legally Blonde. Co-Producer: How to Dance in Ohio. He partnered with Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell to launch Choreography Guides with MTI and Broadway Media, which enables schools and theaters to learn and perform original Broadway choreography. Paul also founded the non-profit arts education organization Take It From The Top, which provides professional mentoring and training opportunities for aspiring young artists. He also served as a judge for The National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The JIMMY AWARDS).   

Lauren Nicole Chapman

Lauren Nicole Chapman is New York based actor, singer and dancer who is most recently known for her 7 year journey with Frozen on Broadway and the North American tour. Lauren is a powerhouse vocalist working in NYC for the past 12 years on and off Broadway. Fresh off the road from playing Princess Anna, she is so thrilled to be able pass on all that she's learned to all the students she's fortunate enough to work with and is so excited to return to Take It From the Top and Company. Her favorite past credits include Kinky Boots on Broadway and the first National tour, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Serena in Legally Blonde and Corrie Bratter in Barefoot in the Park. @laurennicolechapman  

Carlos Encinias

Carlos Encinias is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and his Broadway career spans more than two decades and includes How to Dance in Ohio, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia!, Good Vibrations and Scandalous. Carlos is a passionate educator and teaches at the Professional Performing Arts High School in Manhattan and the Dreamyard Project. As a director, he’s worked at Pittsburgh CLO, North Carolina Theatre, The Gateway and Adirondack Theatre Festival.  As a writer, his short story, Luca’s Journey, has been performed at several events and on Houses On the Moon’s podcast. He is currently developing Numbe Whageh with fellow New Mexican writer/actor, Jennifer Sánchez. 
carlosLencinias.com 

At Wharton Center, we feel a profound sense of responsibility to the mission of our founders to bring the arts to the entire community and to be a space where people can be their authentic selves. We recognize the arts are a catalyst for connection that can bring forward positive change.  

Please connect with Kelly Stuible-Clark, Manger of Musical Theatre Programs, at stuible3@whartoncenter.com or (517) 884-3166 with inquiries on how we can better meet your access needs.