FC Buzz: MTC opens new space in Norwalk

BY KEVIN CONNORS AND JIM SHILLING

Music Theatre of Connecticut, Fairfield County”™s premier provider of musical theater performance and training, recently opened its new theater center in Norwalk. Founded in 1987 by Kevin Connors and Jim Schilling, MTC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization and is the only theater of its kind in Fairfield County. MTC MainStage Company produces award-winning professional Equity productions featuring actors direct from Broadway and MTC School of Performing Arts offers conservatory-style training for students age four through high school.

Kevin Connors and Jim Shilling.
Kevin Connors and Jim Shilling.

The New MTC Theatre Center, at 509 Westport Ave. in Norwalk (across from Bed, Bath and Beyond), boasts a state-of-the-art black box theatre, rehearsal studios, scenic and costume design shops, dressing rooms, and beautiful lobby and public spaces.

“We could not be more excited to open a true theatre center right here in Norwalk,” says MTC co-founder Kevin Connors. “The town has made us feel so welcome here and clearly values a resource like MTC where students and professionals work side-by-side in a space designed specifically to learn, develop and present the craft of theatre and musical theatre. What could be better!”

MTC School of Performing Arts is currently holding its fall term of classes including a series of Broadway Master Classes with Broadway veterans, and a student production of “Guys and Dolls” which will be performed at Westport Country Playhouse in January.

MTC”™s professional MainStage Company kicks off the 2014/2015 season Nov. 7 with the production of “The World Goes ”˜Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb” featuring cast members whose credits include the Broadway productions of “Mary Poppins,” “Sister Act,” “Cats,” “The Boy From Oz,” and “Aspects of Love.” The MainStage season continues with the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Driving Miss Daisy” in January and the rock musical comedy “Little Shop of Horrors” in April 2015.

Information on all of MTC”™s programming including season subscriptions and single tickets are now available by phone at 203-454-3883 or online at musictheatreofct.com.

Kevin Connors is executive director and Jim Shilling is managing director of the Music Theatre of Connecticut, a member of the  Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.