WESTLAKE SCHOOL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Musical Theatre Company

"Building Confidence, Compassion, Community and Character through Musical Theatre"

"I'm so impressed by how professional the production was. The choreography, the acting, the dancing, and singing was all first class. I'm sure many of those in the cast will be on Broadway in a few years. As I was watching, I kept remembering the same scenes in the movie. You all really captured the spirit of the show."

~Patron of Singing In The Rain

"The show was incredibly professional. I was expecting a 'children's production', but those kids were so well trained, from the dancing , singing and acting. That was a professional show!

~Patron of Matilda

About Wspamtc

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

Westlake School for the Performing Arts, Musical Theatre Company (WSPAMTC) under the direction of Ms. Katie Kerwin-Gielniak, is a performance program that trains triple threat students ages 5-18 musical theatre in a diverse, inclusive, supportive, fun, and positive community based environment. Students learn this art form by utilizing acting, singing and dancing techniques as well as develop leadership skills and confidence through the performing arts. Members have the opportunity to train and hone their craft as well as implement what they have learned in class with performances and competitions throughout the year in various professional and community service venues. WSPAMTC builds confidence, promotes inclusivity, diversity, expands repertoire, inspires and instills an appreciation for the art form in its members and their families, as well as a strong sense of community. Graduates from the program gain independence, confidence, leadership skills, responsibility, reliability, integrity, and lifelong friendships. Additionally they achieve great success in their academics, are accepted to prestigious universities and colleges, and have become professional artists, teachers, directors and choreographers in the industry.

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The Triple Threat Training Testimonials

I think Ms. Katie does an amazing job molding the students into "triple threat" performers, and the shows are amazing to watch. I notice that she always leads with the actors intention and building the characters. And she's equally amazing at bringing out the voice and dance.

~Danielle-Parent

My daughter is passionate about acting, singing and dancing and performing in general. We had been seeking a high quality musical theatre training program that offered the "whole package" without any luck until we found Ms. Katie's musical theatre program. She's the real deal.

~Diane-Parent

Thanks for everything Katie! You have been there since day one in our daughters performance journey. We can’t thank you enough in all you have instilled in them.

~Arlene-Parent

~Patron of Singing In The Rain

SUMMER INTENSIVE

SUMMER 2024 "DIRECT FROM BROADWAY" Musical Theatre Voice, Acting & Dance Intensive

Step into the world of Musical Theatre Voice Acting with Ms. Katie’s “Direct From Broadway” Intensive. This class will be accessible to both beginners and experienced actor/singer/dancers who are passionate about exploring in-depth work on vocal technique, music theory, utilization of action, specificity of language, personalization, emotional truth, character, given circumstance and movement. Students will develop an awareness of the demands of the musical theatre genre in a safe and supportive environment. Each musical theatre artist will be encouraged to explore solo, duet and small group songs to build repertoire, prepare and “pop” at auditions, work to expand their range, and gain the necessary tools to succeed in the musical theatre industry. In addition to developing individual solo work with semi-private instruction, students will also learn the necessity of being a truly powerful ensemble member working rigorously in musical theatre movement, vocal technique and depth of character utilizing material from Matilda Jr. We will end our intensive with a final performance of each student's individual work in a cabaret style showcase for an invited audience. All levels welcome!

PRODUCTIONS

Take a peek at our past productions!

The creative team

Katie Kerwin-Gielniak~Director

Katie earned her degree in the performing arts, holding a B.F.A. from New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts CAP21 Conservatory. She has had experience performing professionally and teaching voice and dance for over 25 years. She offers private training in vocal technique, audition, and performances ages 5 to professional adult. Her vocal background from NYU is classical with training in musical theatre/pop vocal performance styles. She also teaches classes in Theatre Jazz and Broadway and contemporary tap dance styles from beginner to advanced. Katie is a Bay Area native, but after college joined the artistic staff and acting company at the professional Show Palace Dinner Theatre in Florida in 2003 as an assistant to the Artistic Director.

In 2004, she became the Resident Choreographer for the Show Palace where she directed, choreographed and performed in many shows there. Katie’s teaching expertise is Vocal Technique and Performance in both Classical and contemporary Musical Theatre as well as as CCM, Tap (Broadway and Contemporary), Theatre Jazz, Musical Theatre Performance, and Acting. You may have seen her in TONY award winning director Walter Bobbie and Broadway choreographer Randy Skinners production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS in San Francisco at the Orpheum Theatre in 2005, and subsequent performances at the FOX Theatre in Detroit in 2006, and the Ordway in St. Paul in 2008.

You can also hear her singing in the ensemble of the Broadway cast album of the show which was released in the fall of 2006. Katie is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association and is currently the Musical Theatre Director of Westlake School for the Performing Arts in Daly City, and recently finished serving as the Artist in Residence Director of the Musical Theatre program at the Ruth Asawa School for the Performing Arts in San Francisco as a founding member of the musical theatre program. Katie also founded Broadway Babies and Kids located in San Carlos which is a musical theatre performing arts school with a unique training curriculum My Grown Up and Me (R) specifically designed for early childhood development, as well as continued training through early adulthood to professionals. Several of Katie's students have been accepted to prestigious universities, and achieved successful careers in the medical field, law, business, and entreprenerial endeavors as well as in the performing arts with Disney, Cruise Lines, Dance Companies, Film and Television, and Broadway!

LoRee Kenagy~Choreographer

LoRee Kenagy is a classically educated, award-winning performer, choreographer, and instructor, bringing 20+ years of experience on the stage, in the classroom, and behind the scenes to her passion for tap as an art and social movement. As a nationally featured tap instructor, Director of the WSPA Tap Program, and Founder of TapIn, LoRee’s unique blend of structure, musicality, and creative instruction produces a rich learning environment and some of the country’s top-ranked dance students.

2024 Faculty Credits: San Francisco Tap Festival, Joffrey Ballet School, Dance Masters of America, Westlake School of the Arts, Elevate Dance Convention

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All proceeds benefit the WSPA Musical Theatre Company

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