WHO WE ARE

We are experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in performance and teaching. Together we represent many years of Broadway, touring, and regional singing, acting, and dancing experience. In addition, each of us is a seasoned educator with years of service and a passion for developing talent in all young people.

WHAT WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH

We want the students of Wiremill Academy™ to leave a class, workshop or lesson, feeling like they have discovered the power of creative expression, taken risks in order to learn something important, and developed their potential as individuals as well as performers; we want them to ask questions and think about themselves and the world in new ways. Most of all, we want our students to enjoy the process every step of the way.

WHY THE ARTS

Education in the arts fosters diplomacy, good communication and listening skills, and the ability to embrace new challenges; it builds self esteem, and teaches discipline. Regardless of their career path, young people will carry these tools with them for their entire lives. The arts are an essential component in a complete education.

testimonials

From Harold Prince, multi-Tony Award winning director and producer –

“I’ve known Rick Hilsabeck and Sarah Pfisterer for many years as they’ve each appeared in several of my productions. Rick starred as the title role in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for a long run in Chicago (and other major cities across the U.S.), in addition to being seen in the national company of PARADE and premiere of BOUNCE. Aside from being an excellent singer and actor, he was, for many years, a star of the acclaimed Hubbard Street Dance Company. Sarah played Christine in PHANTOM for over 1,000 performances and starred as Magnolia in SHOW BOAT. She is one of our loveliest actresses and possesses a beautiful voice. In fact, their teaming up is a merger of two first-rate talents. So, I would anticipate that their performing arts school will be a hugely valuable asset to Connecticut. I will be following their success – and success they will have – in the coming months and years.”

From Wendy Musk, Director, author, Humanities Chair, Fraser Woods School. –

“Mary Jo Duffy’s performance experience, professionalism, and exuberance make her extraordinarily equipped to coach children of all ages in singing and acting. I have seen my own children and countless others confidently take their performance ability to the next level through Mary Jo’s encouraging and warm hearted style. Having been involved with numerous theater resources in Fairfield County over the last eight years, Mary Jo is in a class by herself. She is simply the best!” Satisfied Parent – “The word charisma was invented to describe Mary Jo Duffy! She is the Pied Piper of musical theater and energized, inspired children, tween and teens follow her direction creating some of the most delightful theater I have ever seen. Mary Jo brings her Broadway background, her powerful singing voice and her effortless acting technique to model “the memorable moment” for her young actors, teaching by example. Confidence, enthusiasm and a lifelong love of theater are in store for Mary Jo’s students. She’s simply the best!”

From Lou Conte, Founding Artistic Director, Hubbard Street Dance, Chicago, and Lou Conte Dance Studio –

“I’ve known Rick Hilsabeck for 35 years, as we first worked together in a production of “Cabaret”. I was the choreographer and Rick was a singer and dancer in the cast. Shortly after, Rick became one of the first two men dancers in my dance troupe in Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Company. He was the company’s dancer/actor, and by example, pushed everyone in the company to realize the importance of being able to act while dancing. Rick danced in Hubbard Street for eleven very productive years. During that time, he choreographed for the company, taught dance at Lou Conte Dance Studio and at the Goodman Theatre School. Rick’s discipline, responsible nature and hard work made him the ultimate professional. His pleasant demeanor, people skills and intelligence made him the quintessential company member and teacher. For more than twenty years after his concert dance career with Hubbard Street, Rick has worked in major Broadway musicals and with some of the theater’s most brilliant creators. He learned great lessons and is now ready to pass that on to a new generation of young people. I feel very confident he will be as successful with Wiremill Academy as he has been in his performing career and I look forward to that.”//s3.amazonaws.com/downloads.mailchimp.com/js/signup-forms/popup/embed.jsrequire([“mojo/signup-forms/Loader”], function(L) { L.start({“baseUrl”:”mc.us10.list-manage.com”,”uuid”:”3f20ff164e367a6e08f1c48d2″,”lid”:”a4348b730a”}) })”>http://

About

WHO WE ARE

WHAT WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH

WHY THE ARTS

testimonials

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