Broadway to the Palace Artist Retreat - 2025

The Academy at Westmoreland Cultural Trust - The Palace Theatre

Director/Choreographer/Retreat Director

The Broadway to the Palace Artist Retreat is a week-long intensive hosted by The Academy at Westmoreland Cultural Trust that brings emerging performers together with current Broadway professionals for focused training, individualized mentorship, and a culminating performance on the historic Palace Theatre stage. Participants receive daily instruction in voice, acting, dance, ensemble work, and audition preparation while also engaging in wellness practices that support the whole artist. Throughout the week, performers work side by side with a Broadway guest artist and a Broadway Music Director who lead masterclasses, coach participants through repertoire, and guide them in developing the confidence and discipline required in today’s industry. In addition to skill-building, participants collaborate on original material that becomes part of the final showcase.

The retreat includes a full professional content package featuring headshots, lifestyle photos, performance photography, and high-definition video of the final showcase, captured by Pittsburgh Performance Photography. These materials provide participants with polished assets for future auditions, college submissions, and professional opportunities. Lunch is provided daily to ensure that performers remain energized and connected throughout the intensive. Community-building is an essential part of the retreat, and participants often form lasting creative relationships with peers and mentors.

The experience culminates in a fully produced showcase on the Palace Theatre stage, where participants perform the work they have prepared throughout the week. The final performance features both ensemble and solo material and includes opportunities for participants to share the spotlight with the Broadway teaching artists, creating a truly unforgettable capstone experience.

The Broadway to the Palace Artist Retreat reflects The Academy’s mission to provide high quality, industry-aligned arts education that empowers performers to grow, collaborate, and thrive. It is a transformative, creatively charged week that celebrates artistry, dedication, and the vibrant community of performers who call Westmoreland County home.

2025 Creative & Production Team:

Retreat Director - Nick Lenz

Broadway Music Director - Camille Johnson

Retreat Leader/Broadway Guest Artist - Jessie Hooker Bailey

Production Manager/Production Design - Alex Boyd (Boyd Productions)

Production Stage Manager - Sawyer Kilgour

Production Associate - Jay Moles

Technical Director - Tony Hinkelman

Sound Engineering - Jessie Madden (Next Step Productions)

Artistic Fellow - Savannah Bruno

Videography - Skene 19 Films

Photography - Doug Estok with Pittsburgh Performance Photography