The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) was created in 1991. Since then, it has delivered hundreds of community performances and has attracted performers and audiences from all over the region.
As the the New England Center for the Performing Arts grew into the space at 38 Main Street, so did our focus on creating a performance arts company that would extend our reach in the community. In 1991, we established the non-profit Franklin Performing Arts Company, and began staging bigger shows that were open to amateur and professional actors in the community in addition to the families and students of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.
From the beginning, FPAC has followed a mission dedicated to promoting the performing arts with an emphasis on youth development. Guided by a community advisory board, FPAC visibly demonstrates opportunities to get involved in drama, music and dance right in our own community. Our performances feature a live orchestra and professional artists, and they often provide a first glimpse into the world of theater for local youth.
FPAC’s first production with an orchestra, The Nutcracker, became an instant local tradition, a must-see holiday event for the Metro West community. It signaled a new level of commitment to providing students with access to professional actors and artists, many traveling from Boston or New York to take part in productions and classes.
From an annual spring musical, to an ongoing family concert series free to the public, straight plays, classical music, to annual holiday shows such as The Nutcracker and 'Tis the Season!, FPAC is dedicated to pursuing family and community involvement with a commitment to live music and excellence in the Arts.
In 1993, FPAC presented the company’s first book musical The Music Man featuring the full Broadway orchestration and a large professional and community cast.
'Tis the Season!, was introduced in 1999. 'Tis the Season! is an FPAC original holiday extravaganza featuring a big band sound and arrangements of holiday classics in many musical styles. Professional entertainers, local talent and a large cast of young performers share the stage for this energized and uplifting weekend of music and dancing.
Today, the organization continues to stage The Nutcracker every year, along with 'Tis the Season!, our original holiday extravaganza. 'Tis the Season! has becomes a holiday favorite and has been presented annually since 2005. The 2007 cast consisted of 167 local performers which included thirteen families sharing the stage at the same time.
A spring production regularly draws capacity crowds from the more than 45 communities that are served by New England Center for the Performing Arts.
We look forward to bringing our high quality productions to you in a new venue that will provide even greater opportunities for children in our area to take their places on stage.