DPAC is proud to announce that one of the most anticipated community events of the year, Next Stop BROADWAY®, will return August 10 – 14, 2026.  Next Stop BROADWAY® is a week-long performing arts program consisting of classes, workshops, and rehearsals focused on classic Broadway shows.  Next Stop BROADWAY® is made possible by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.

 

Paid registrations go on sale Thursday, January 29^th at 10:00 AM and are limited to 80 participants, ages 10-17, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.  Act quickly to reserve space, as this program in the past has sold out within hours.

 

 

 

 

 

With a grant from DPAC of over $13,000, twenty area youth will receive fully paid scholarships to attend the program at no charge.  Scholarship applications can be found at https://www.dpacnc.com/community/next-stop-broadway and must be submitted by March 1, 2026.  Scholarships will be awarded to applicants with financial needs and interest in the performing arts.

 

"I'm overjoyed that Next Stop Broadway® is returning this summer, and I know students and families across our community will feel the same" says Megan Rindoks, DPAC's Director of Community Engagement. "This summer intensive offers an incredible educational experience and gives 100 young performers the unforgettable opportunity to take the stage where Broadway's biggest tours have appeared this season — from Hamilton to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."

 

A staff of esteemed Broadway professionals, headed by Broadway veteran Tony Parise, will teach participants, ages 10 – 17, ensemble songs and choreography from hit shows from the “Golden Age of Broadway” and participants work together throughout the week to create their own unique skits based on shows in the upcoming DPAC season and other hit musicals.

 

The week will culminate with an “Opening Night” performance for family and friends on Friday afternoon.  Students will have the opportunity to perform on DPAC’s main stage in the same theater that has hosted acclaimed Broadway shows, such as Hamilton, Wicked, and Disney’s The Lion King.

 

Next Stop BROADWAY® encourages teamwork and is designed to teach the importance of building a strong ensemble.  Previous theater experience is celebrated but not necessary, and anyone with an interest in the performing arts is welcome.

 

This musical theater program will be directed by Broadway actor, director, and choreographer, Tony Parise.  Mr. Parise has a vast repertoire of performance credits from hit Broadway shows, including 42^nd Street, A Chorus Line, and City of Angels.  In addition, Mr. Parise has led similar musical theater education programs at performing arts centers in Boston, Providence, and Philadelphia.

 

For more information and to apply:

• Online at https://www.dpacnc.com/community/next-stop-broadway
• E-mail Megan Rindoks, Director of Community Engagement at DPAC, with questions at mrindoks@DPACnc.com
   

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About Tony Parise

Tony Parise began his professional theatrical career as a performer at the age of 10 in a production of OLIVER! with Sid Caesar.  He appeared in the first National tour of A CHORUS LINE and was on Broadway in 42ND STREET, ME AND MY GIRL, and CITY OF ANGELS. 

 

On the other side of the footlights, Mr. Parise has directed and/or choreographed HELLO, DOLLY starring Madeline Kahn, WHERE'S CHARLEY? starring Jo Sullivan and Emily Loesser, MAME, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, THE MUSIC MAN, CRAZY FOR YOU, DAMES AT SEA,  ON THE 20^TH CENTURY, FUNNY GIRL, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, OLIVER, CINDERELLA, SOUTH PACIFIC, and National companies of ANYTHING GOES, GREASE!, 42ND STREET and ME AND MY GIRL.

 

Off-Broadway credits include choreography for PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Lucille Lortel Nomination), co-choreography for PAGEANT, movement for RAFT OF THE MEDUSA, and co-direction and staging for BALANCING ACT, by "Mr. Nunsense", Dan Goggin.  Other New York credits include MACY'S 100^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION in Herald Square, MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, WEIL AND LENYA for Kurt Weil's centennial, and the staging of "Raining in My Heart" for Bernadette Peters' Carnegie Hall debut as well as Ms. Peters’ Radio City Music Hall concert.

 

Internationally, Mr. Parise has mounted companies of 42ND STREET in London, Australia, New Zealand, and Korea, ME AND MY GIRL in Mexico City, ANYTHING GOES at the Theater Des Westens in Berlin, and has choreographed for Italian TV in Milan.

 

Since 1996, Mr. Parise has directed the Hasty Pudding Theatricals at Harvard University.

 

Teaching credits include master classes throughout the United States and abroad with such organizations as AMDA, Boston Ballet, New Zealand School of Dance, and the Philadelphia College of Performing arts.  Mr. Parise created TAP! and TAP 2! for Fleet Boston's Family Music Series. 

 

Mr. Parise created, co-authored, and directed SOPHIE…the Red Hot Mama Revusical.  He is also the writer and director for the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition and the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards.