Westmoreland Cultural Trust Launches Flagship Musical Theatre Training Program at the Historic Palace Theatre

This immersive, weeklong program in musical theatre performance, wellness, and creative collaboration invites emerging artists to train alongside Broadway professionals and wellness experts at the historic Palace Theatre in Greensburg, PA. The experience culminates in a public showcase performance on the mainstage.

The retreat will be led by Nick Lenz, Education & Engagement Manager for Westmoreland Cultural Trust. Nick is a director, choreographer, and educator known for placing over 75 students in top-tier arts programs nationwide. Joining him are Broadway performer and educator Jessie Hooker Bailey (Waitress, Beautiful, The Devil Wears Prada), and New York-based music director Lena Gabrielle (SIX ,Emojiland, ¡Americano!), a 2022 Drama Desk nominee.

Participants will engage in exclusive masterclasses with accomplished guest artists. Jake Emmerling, a Pittsburgh native and original cast member of The Book of Mormon national tour (over 2,000 performances), will lead a musical theatre jazz intensive. Michael Campayno, known for originating roles in The Cher Show and starring as Fiyero in Broadway’s Wicked, will guide performers through acting techniques drawn from his Broadway and TV career.

Designed for performers ages 16 and up, the retreat welcomes high school and college students preparing for auditions, pre-professional artists seeking elite development, and working performers looking to reignite their creativity through mentorship and community.

The program features over 35 hours of intensive training in acting, voice, dance, movement, and audition techniques. To support the whole artist, the retreat also includes daily wellness sessions. Expert practitioners include Sharon Squoteguazza (Somatic Bodywork), Kim McLeod (Yoga and Sound Bathing), and Jim Donovan, a multi-platinum musician and TEDx speaker whose viral talk on sleep has reached over 7 million viewers. Donovan is also a founding member of the band Rusted Root. Therapy dog visits from Top Dog Therapy will offer additional moments for rest and emotional care.

Attendees will receive one-on-one mentorship, collaborate to devise an original showcase performance, and leave with a professional media package that includes professional headshots, lifestyle portraits, performance photos, and a high-definition video of their final performance. Lunch is provided to participants daily.

Sessions run Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the culminating showcase on Saturday, August 9 at 7:00 PM on The Palace Theatre’s mainstage.

The Palace Theatre—-Westmoreland County’s largest professional performing arts venue—-has hosted performers from Ella Fitzgerald to the Blue Man Group. Retreat participants will rehearse and perform in this iconic space, becoming part of its storied legacy.

Tuition is $495 and includes all training, daily lunches, media content, and the final performance. Discounts include 10% off for educators and current college students, and 5% off for additional siblings. Rising Artist Scholarships and flexible payment plans are available to increase accessibility.

This retreat launches a series of educational initiatives from The Academy, which aligns with Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s newly unveiled three-year strategic plan. The Academy builds on programs like Achievement in the Arts, ArtWalk, and Art in the Alley, with a focus on expanding access and serving historically underrepresented communities in Westmoreland County and the Laurel Highlands region.

“Broadway to the Palace reflects our mission to be a conduit for the arts in this region,” said Benjamin Luczak, CEO of Westmoreland Cultural Trust. “Through The Academy, we’re building a platform for emerging performers to develop their craft, connect with mentors, and find their creative voice. This retreat is about opening doors—onstage and off.”

To register, visit www.westmorelandculturaltrust.org, complete the registration form, indicate any scholarship or payment plan needs, and submit your deposit.

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