Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre
Triple-Threat Musical Theatre Training from Musical Theatre Professionals! Become Your Potential!
Triple-Threat Musical Theatre Training from Musical Theatre Professionals! Become Your Potential!
Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre is now its new home at The Tiffany Center in downtown Portland for its triple-threat training to middle school and high school students. The new Bridgetown Conservatory space, within the Tiffany Center, is located at 711 SW 14th Avenue in downtown Portland.
Private Dance Studio, Private Music Studio, Black Box performance space, access to 200-seat performance space and 925-seat auditorium. We're excited!
Chasten Buttigieg at Bridgetown Conservatory May 20 2023
Rick Lewis, Justine-Elise Beall, Claudia Molatore and Chasten Buttigieg. Bridgetown Conservatory gala May 20 2023
Bridgetown Conservatory Fundraiser May 20 2023
Bridgetown Students performing "A Million Dreams" at the Follow Your Dream Gala Fundraiser. May 20, 2023
Sophia Takla, former Bridgetown student and Miss Oregon 2022 at Fundraiser May 20 2023
Finn Rutis, recipient of the 2022 Brunish Broadway College Musical Theatre Scholarship, with 2023 recipients Justine-Elise Beall and Claudia Molatore.
Chasten Buttigieg at Bridgetown Conservatory, May 20 2023
“Growing up, theatre helped me find my voice. As an educator, I had the chance to help my students use the arts to find theirs. We need leaders who believe arts education is a necessity, not a luxury, so every young person can realize the best in themselves.”
- Chasten Buttigieg, February 9, 2020 via Twitter
CHASTEN BUTTIGIEG
Teacher, Bestselling Author & LGBTQ+ Rights Advocate
Chasten Buttigieg, husband of former mayor and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, has become a popular figure in his own right. The teacher's wit, intimate social media musings, and polished speeches have prompted glowing media coverage and declarations that he "won the 2020 spouse primary."
As his husband launched a campaign that made him one of the most talked-about Democrats in the 2020 race, Chasten leveraged his own platform to bring attention to improving public schools, access to arts education, and mental healthcare.
After leaving the 2020 campaign trail, he published his first book, I Have Something to Tell You. In this moving, uplifting memoir, he recounts his journey to finding acceptance as a gay man.
Throughout the campaign, Chasten came across many people who have felt supported and loved by his message: "You belong. You are loved. You are welcome here."
Bridgetown’s team of professional choreographers will provide you with the tools needed for musical theatre movement & dance.
Our team is experienced with teaching performers of all levels and abilities in a welcoming environment.
Learn how to tell stories and convey emotions with your whole body while absorbing dance vocabulary and technique.
Explore the capacity of your individuality as an actor.
Discover how your body, voice, and feelings can translate a story
Work with Broadway professionals who can share their experience and training
Learn that acting isn’t just using the words to tell the story but it is about infusing the words with the uniqueness of YOU!
(Photo by Tess Vigeland)
It's more than pretty sounds.
It's more than just a lovely melody.
The magic of Vocal Performance is in the marriage of storytelling
with the melody of the song -
the notes on which the composer has hung the story.
Bridgetown can help you discover the power of good storytelling with the result of a remarkable vocal performance!
(Photo by Tess Vigeland)
Bridgetown is where middle school and high school musical theater performers receive professional triple-threat training (acting, dancing, and vocal performance) to achieve entrance to a top tier college musical theater program and ultimately to work in professional theater. It is also a place where aspiring actors learn their craft to compete for scholarships at these same college programs.
Bridgetown is the creation of Rick Lewis who is known locally as the Music Director/Conductor for Portland Center Stage at the Armory from 2005 to 2017, music directing over twenty productions during that time, receiving numerous Drammy Awards for his work. Prior to that Rick wrote and produced a number of productions in New York including The Taffetas with productions around the world. With his over 40 years as a composer, producer and director of musicals Rick has been able to mentor and coach many local Portland actors in the theater.
Rick launched Bridgetown in 2016 and has successfully trained hundreds of students, many of whom went on to college programs and professional theater. Since the inception of Bridgetown, over thirty-six students have entered top tier college programs for musical theatre across the county and around the world. He has continued to bring talent to Portland to support the arts and theater culture of the city especially for the benefit of the Bridgetown students.
Now Bridgetown is ready to expand further by providing training to even more students of all backgrounds regardless of financial challenges. This is significant for Portland's vital theatrical and arts culture but also to help our local actors succeed in fiercely competitive major markets in the US such as New York.
Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre: Become Your Potential!
Rick Lewis, Founder of Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre
"I ... want to extend to you a heartfelt thank you. Without you I do not know where I would be, and for your guidance I will be eternally grateful. You got me into college, which in turn led to a career beyond performance in teaching (though I am still performing as well), and you instilled in me the courage and confidence to pursue something that so many others shy away from. I hope that I can be the major influence that you and a few mentors that I have picked up along the way here have been to me. College has been incredibly difficult these last two years due to the climate of my class in the program, and without such a strong foundation of support I am not sure that I would have made it through."
-CONNER WILLIAMS, MOLLOY COLEGE/CAP21
"Having a class on 'auditions' right now and I feel more prepared than anyone else here! LOL. We're doing 'walking in the room' - like I haven't done it seven million times!
Bridgetown prepared me well!
We are, like, making audition cuts and I'm like, "been there, done that, sister!"
- FINN RUTIS, MOLLOY COLLEGE/CAP21 (via text)
"Hi Rick! As always, I'm keeping up to date with Bridgetown news and it's been wonderful to watch you stay strong in the wake of everything that happened in 2020. I miss Saturday mornings with you, Del, and Laura very dearly, but of course I've been keeping busy.
In fact, I wanted to write to let you know that I just graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in NYC! I got to walk across the stage at the Golden Theater on Broadway! I remember waiting upstairs, thinking about everything and everyone that helped get me to this point and you came up pretty quick. I wanted to thank you and your incredible team for everything you did for me that helped me get here! I'm staying in NY for the foreseeable future and would love to keep in touch. All my best to you and yours! "
Sincerely,
- MAEVE O'CONNOR, STUDENT
" I wanted to email you to let you know that I have been cast in --- at --- Theatre! First off I would like to say that I am so grateful for all you have taught me and all of the experiences and opportunities I’ve had because of you. I know that my audition would not have gone half as well if I had not had the knowledge you’ve given me! I’m so grateful to have a unique book of songs to sing. Thanks again for all you have done for me! "
- GRACE ALLEN, STUDENT
"BRIDGETOWN and its exemplary team of professionals are
UNMATCHED WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING.
Too many youth conservatory programs focus on
putting on performances vs. teaching techniques that will
benefit the students their entire career.
Bridgetown focuses on the key components of
AUDITIONS, SONG CHOICE, DANCE, ETC. that will truly
help your child stand out and find success.
Cannot Recommend More!!
- JENNIFER MADZIARCZYK, PARENT
###
"Hi guys!! I wanted to email you and let you know that I have committed to Chapman University for my BFA in theater performance and I plan on doing the musical theater minor! They worked with me and gave me a lot of additional scholarship money and they were my first acceptance so I’m super excited!! Thank you both so so much for what you’ve done to help me in this process, for the letters of rec and Del for all of the acting one on ones I asked of you and Rick for all of the tracks and songs. I’ve learned and grown so much from both of you and thank you for sticking with us kids through the pandemic you guys are seriously so special and I treasure you as teachers. :)
- KAIYA SHIVERS, STUDENT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY, CLASS OF 2025
###
Hi Rick and Del,
I am so so pleased to say I just found out I got off the waitlist at Manhattan School of Music so that’s where I’ll be committing! Thank you for all your support, guidance, coaching, and wisdom over these past few months (and years!) My family and I are so incredibly grateful for all that you have done for me!
- LUCY AMES, STUDENT MANHATTAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC, CLASS OF 2025
Subject to change/updating:
1. Although not required, wearing a mask is respectful of those with potential risks and lower immunity.
2. If you have a cough, sore throat and any symptoms please stay home - even if you test negative for COVID!
3. Students may remove masks to perform within a safe distance.
Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
EIN 81-3867905
711 SW 14th Avenue
The Tiffany Center
Portland OR 97205
ricklewis@bridgetownconservatory.org . 971.219.6452
Copyright © 2023 Bridgetown Conservatory - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder