FESTIVAL CONSERVATORY OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

This Musical Theatre Conservatory is for aspiring young performers ages 4-18 desiring to take their skills to the next level. The conservatory offers professional year round training in acting, dance and musical theatre, with specially designed classes for students striving to enter the musical theatre field. The classes instill self-discipline as well as enhance performance skills and audition techniques. Classes are offered at appropriate age and skill level to achieve maximum growth and experience.

Announcing Conservatory SR Fall Production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

  • FALL 2023 CLASS SCHEDULE
    Acting
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    JR Creative Drama
    Samantha Capener 8-12 W 4:30-5:30 p.m. $100 Sept 19-Nov 29
    Acting
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    Beginning Improv
    McKenna Finley 12 and Up M 4:30-5:30 p.m $100 Sept 18- Nov 20
    Acting
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    Shakespeare
    Jack Roberts 13-18 M 5:30-6:30 $125 Sept 18- Nov 20
    Musical Theatre
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    SR Fall Production
    Stefan Espinosa, McKenna Finley & Logan Kelley

    13-18 T, W, TH 4-6 p.m. $150 Sept 18-Dec 5
    Musical Theatre
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    JR Musical Theatre Prep
    Jocelyn Van Wyk
    8-12 M 5:30-6:30 PM $125 Sept 18- Nov 22
    Musical Theatre
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    Adult Acting Workshop
    Stefan Espinosa

    18+ Select Sat 10:30 AM -12:00 PM $125 Sept 23- Nov 18
    Dance
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    Opera/Character Ballet
    Kelley Richardson 9-12 TH 4:15-5:30
    $100 Sept 20-Nov 30
    Dance
    Class Instructor Ages Day/Time Tuition Class Length
    Broadway Tap
    Kelley Richardson 9-12 TH 5:30-6:15
    $100 Sept 20-Nov 30

    Broadway Bound Registration

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    Price: $100.00
    Consent(Required)

***No classes week of Fall Break (Oct 11-13)  and Thanksgiving (Nov 22-26)***

Faculty Bios

Stefan Espinosa
STEFAN ESPINOSA

A native of Tucson, Arizona, Stefan has been working as a professional actor, director, fight choreographer, and dialect coach for the last 15 years. Some favorite past regional theatre companies include PCPA Theatrefest, Arizona Theatre Company, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Lyric Repertory Theatre, many productions at Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, and Salt Lake Acting Company. Stefan has taught countless classes at the Conservatory over the years and has been thrilled to be a part of changing young lives in Logan! Stefan has also directed many excellent Conservatory productions including Narnia, The Phantom Tollbooth, HS Musical, Legally Blonde, Les Miserables, Freaky Friday, and more. Stefan has taught Acting, Voice, and Movement in the Idaho State University Theatre Department since 2012 and has directed many productions at the professional and pre-professional level. Stefan has a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona and a MFA in Acting from the University of Houston PATP. Stefan and his wife, Vanessa Ballam, founded the Conservatory in 2009.

JOCELYN VAN WYK

Idaho-raised soprano Jocelyn van Wyk is an actress, operatic stage director, private voice teacher and owner of Sego Studios. She completed her Masters of Music in Opera Performance in the spring of 2020, from Longy School of Music of Bard College. She has performed many operatic and music theater roles. Jocelyn specializes in character development and loves telling beloved stories in new meaningful ways. She has directed the Conservatory’s Jr Fall Production of James and the Giant Peach, as well as several musical theatre and acting classes. Jocelyn is passionate about sharing the beauty of opera, and musical theatre with those who have never experienced it before.

Samantha Capener headshot
SAMANTHA CAPENER

Samantha Capener is currently working toward a Theatre Education Bachelor of Fine arts at Utah State University where she is combining her passion for the performing arts and teaching. Recently, Samantha has been visiting elementary schools throughout Cache Valley to teach drama-based lessons. Through theatre, Samantha has found new ways to use her voice for good and to develop experiences for people to do the same. She strives to help her students grow their confidence as well as develop their performing skills. Samantha devises her lessons to enable space for creativity and instruction on a personal level. She is thrilled to join the Conservatory again this fall!

KELLEY RICHARDSON

An Executive Producer, Director, Choreographer and two-time Broadway World Awarded Artist; Kelley trained with Dance New Amsterdam in New York and the European School of Performing Arts; Ormond Opera Ballet, San Diego Arts. Her career is backed with Bachelor and Master degrees and teaching endorsements in Theatre, Performing Arts & Dance Education. She’s worked & toured with Disney/ Universal, Miss Universe, Broadway Dance Center, ABT, Int’l Thespian Society & Musical Theatre Competitions of America. She’s studied with UofU, BYU, USU, WSU, UCF in Musical Theatre & Dance (Ballet, Modern, Ballroom programs.) She is an International Dancesport champion and Master Dance Educator; just returning from her work in New York; as a Senior Director at The King’s College; awarded for business innovation in Higher Education and the Arts.

Kelley and her husband, Mike have performed and produced performing arts conventions, competitions, galas and productions from east to west! Whether on stage together or behind the scenes, they love infusing our love and professional experience into the next generation of poets, players and artists! As musical theatre performers themselves, they attest that they have performed more roles than all our careers combined (and employed the utmost in staging, strategy, direction and design) in cultivating our very family of 9! We keep artfully and willingly sacrificing more for this dream than anything else! Kelley is thrilled to join Utah Festival Conservatory this year and happy to now call Cache Valley home!

MCKENNA FINLEY

McKenna Finley (she/her) is a senior of Theatre Education at USU. She specializes in improv education and devised theatre work. For the last two years, she's been working with the Antics Comedy Improv in Logan Utah to collaborate with local high school improv troupes, organizing public improv workshops, and performing in the improv shows. Over this last summer, she started the Caine College of the Arts Department of Theatre Arts summer camp, "Behind the Scenes". She speaks in fluent movie quotes, loves working with anyone who wants to learn about improv, and aspires to be an Independent Teaching Artist who teaches improv workshops for performer and nonperformers around the country.

Jack Roberts HeadShot Utah Festival Opera
JACK ROBERTS

Jack Carter Roberts is an English-born actor. He grew up in Southern California and began acting in 2018 at MiraCosta College. He received his Associate of Arts Degree in June 2019 and transferred to Utah State University to obtain his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis in Acting. He received his BFA degree in May of 2023. A few notable Roles are: Westmorland/Captain MacMorris in Henry V (MiraCosta College), Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar (Utah State University), Mastiff in The Moors (Utah State University), Adult Man in Spring Awakening (Utah State University), Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night (Lyric Repertory Theatre), and Charlie Clench in One Man Two Guvnors (Lyric Repertory Theatre). Jack Continues to strive in educating himself in the theatre world by working on classic works and new diverse pieces that enter his atmosphere.

Logan Kelley Utah Festival Opera
LOGAN KELLEY

Logan is currently a full-time choir and theater teacher at North Ogden Junior High School. He is working on a Masters in Theatre Education, and graduated from Utah State University with a BM in Choir Education. He has worked for companies across Northern Utah including USU Theatre, USU Opera, Pickleville Playhouse, and Four Seasons Theatre Company. During his time at USU he performed as a vocalist and pianist with the Chamber Singers and University Chorale. Logan has been commissioned to write contemporary a cappella, choral, and theatrical arrangements that have been performed throughout the region. His original musical Hamartia has received two workshopped stagings. Logan has been doing research writing choral music that will best benefit low income schools and diverse student populations. He looks forward to using these findings to benefit school music programs.

Fall 2023 Course Descriptions

CHARACTER BALLET- KELLEY RICHARDSON

This classical ballet training is the essence that makes all stage movement and performance breath-taking! As the core of all dance, ballet technique will distinguish your physical artistry above all others. Emphasis on Character ballet emphasizes performance variations and expression for the theatre and stage! Our class technique begins at the barre, transitions through center floor, petite allegro, jumps, grand allegro, and a full adage & reverance. Through Cicchetti, Vagonova and ABT methods, we emphasize posture, strength, and expressive artistry! We will explore both classic and contemporary ballet styles; (to include lyrical & modern) everything needed to strengthen and train ages 9-12 in preparation for contemporary dance for stage and youth Opera Ballet performance! (9/21-12/21/23. Open classes Thursdays. Tuesday class by audition.)

SHAKESPEARE- JACK ROBERTS

In this course we will delve into the timeless works of William Shakespeare and learn how to bring his characters to life on the stage. Through a combination of practical exercises, monologues, scene work, and theoretical discussions students will gain a deeper understanding of Shakespearean language, characters, and performance techniques.

SR FALL PRODUCTION- STEFAN ESPINOSA/LOGAN KELLEY

Students “learn by doing” by collaborating with our amazing faculty to produce The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, directed by professional actor/director and the head of UFCPA, Stefan Espinosa. Join the Bradley family and the Reverend as they help their community see the Christmas story through new eyes in this buoyant musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic. Playing December 1-5 at the Utah Theatre.

CREATIVE DRAMA- SAM CAPENER

This course explores the fundamentals of performance techniques, including confidence, projection/articulation, imagination, and communication skills in a FUN and safe environment. Students will learn through games, activities, and the performance of dramatic texts - this class is for the child who loves to perform, who loves imaginary play, or who could use a confidence boost in a creative, nurturing environment.

JR MUSICAL THEATRE PREP- JOCELYN VAN WYK

A class for the serious singer in the house! Students will work on solo material in a group setting so that everyone learns together, everyone learns from each other, and everyone grows in confidence. By the end of this course, students will have a better understanding of what it takes to vocally make great Musical Theatre, as well as a healthy respect for their own abilities and what they bring to the table.

BROADWAY/TAP- KELLEY RICHARDSON

From Tap foundations and Jazz Fundamentals, this course is everything you need to pursue consistent training for the Musical Theatre stage! Building the classic lines, precision and tap repertoire of Radio City Rockettes, this core technique will distinguish your dance style and skill! Exploring original choreography and combinations from 42nd Street & Broadway itself, you’ll be immersed in ripples, riffs, traveling timesteps, iconic eye-high kicks, pirouette & turn training, jazz hands, fosse, presentation portebras and dynamic footwork! This training class is intended for ages 9-12. (9/21-12/21/23. Open classes Thursdays. Tuesday class by audition.)

BEGINNING IMPROV- MCKENNA FINLEY

Are you interested in making audiences laugh? Have you been told that you're a quick thinker? Do you want to be more comfortable when things go wrong? Welcome to Improv Theatre, where we learn to control the chaos and turn it in our favor. We'll be learning about how to create characters, scenes, play improv games, and learn how to ignore that nagging voice that tells you you're going to fail. Join us for lots of laughs and games that will help you become the performer, artist, and actor you want to be.

ADULT ACTING- STEFAN ESPINOSA

By popular demand, veteran actor, Stefan Espinosa, will offer acting coaching to the adults of Cache Valley through a series of workshops covering Audition prep and practice, cold reading, characterization and scenework. For folks who are new to the craft and need some foundations, or for those who would like to dust off, brush up, and stretch themselves a bit - the vibe is low-pressure but professional, let’s level up your acting game!

Box Office Information:

Dansante Box Office
  • 435.750.0300
  • 800.262.0074 ext 3
  • 59 South 100 West
    Logan, Utah 84321
  • Mon - Fri
    9:30 am - 5:00 pm*
  • *Open till 7:30 on show nights
Utah Theatre Box Office
  • 18 West Center Street
    Logan, Utah 84321
  • Open 1 hour before events
For Questions
  • Nansi Blau
  • Director of Ticketing
  • nansi@ufomt.org

  • ***WARNING*** To avoid exorbitant or misleading seating / pricing, BUY ONLY from Utah Festival authorized ticket sellers or sites. They are: utahfestival.org, 800.262.0074, saltlakecountyarts.org

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