Our History
Master Class Performing Arts was founded in Spring, 2017 by two like-minded individuals. MCPA's mission involves, stimulates, and challenges performers and audiences with Broadway-quality productions. Since then, Andrew and Kelly have celebrated the influence of the theatre in their daily lives and community through training and supporting the next generation of theatre artists. During the past six years, MCPA has produced over 30 musicals, 10 Broadway Cabarets, 16 virtual productions during COVID, and hosted 28 Broadway Master Classes.
Master Class Performing Arts began with a shoestring budget performing at X-Quest in Schenectady. MCPA kicked off their first full season of performances at X-Quest in the Fall of 2017 with Tim Rice and Elton John's Aida starring Broadway's Brynn Williams. Since then, they have continued to produce high-quality educational theatre. Andrew and Kelly quickly fell in love with X-Quest's dedication to the community, thus helping the organization serve the community. MCPA served the community's youth by donating gifts for the holidays, establishing a giving tree for the homeless, cleaning up the community, and much more. As the year progressed, with MCPA gaining performers and support in the community, they quickly realized that they had outgrown their performance location. MCPA culminated their performances at X-Quest with a large, regional premiere production of Disney's Newsies, directed by Andrew F. Higgs, produced by Kelly Jaeger, and choreographed by Broadway's Nicholas Masson.
In the fall of 2018, MCPA became one of the newly-established Electric City Barn's Youth Residency Programs. Their first performance at the Electric City Barn was Broadway's Annie in December of 2018. Performance highlights at the Electric City Barn include, but are not limited to, the regional premiere of Mamma Mia! and The Spongebob Musical; large cast productions of The Addams Family, Something Rotten!, and Heathers the Musical; and concert productions of Jason Robert Brown’s Parade and Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll & Hyde.
While at the Electric City Barn the theatrical troupe established an academy program titled Master Class Academy, which is dedicated to the education of pre-professional performers in the Capital Region through the implementation of production workshops, Master Classes, and more exciting projects. The Master Class Academy program opened to great success with productions of The Wizard of Oz - YPE and Junie B. Jones Jr.
Now, in their sixth season, Master Class Performing Arts is committed to growing their educational programming, with continued efforts to support the community in the Capital Region and beyond!
Now, in their sixth season, Master Class Performing Arts is committed to growing their educational programming, with continued efforts to support the community in the Capital Region and beyond!
