Center Stage –  a performing arts operation that educates youth and adults on acting, singing, and dancing, as of December, will no longer be located on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, Connecticut. However, moving from place to place is nothing foreign to Fran and Gary Scarpa, the founders of Center Stage.

They have changed their location one other time before this move. Which leads to the question, is operating a performing arts organization difficult to keep up and running during this day and age?

The Scarpa’s currently do not know where exactly they will be moving to in December. They would like to continue residing in the Valley, preferably Shelton. However, at this point in the planning for their move, remaining in Shelton might not be a possibility.

Center Stage is a non-profit organization today because they were not able to sustain as a four-profit organization which they originally were. By going non-profit, it opened up new opportunities and made it so the Scarpa’s  were eligible to offer more educational programs and further their business.

Becoming a  non-profit organization was a very beneficial root to take for operating their programs. It allowed them to apply for grants, receive sponsorships and donations, and members of the community can make tax deductable donations as well. Had they remainded a four-profit organization, Center Stage would not have had any of these options.

Center Stage is a successful program in which more and more people are signing up and auditioning for. Although there is a possibility that the new location will not be such a busy area, the Scarpa’s have certainly left their mark in the Valley, and will continue doing just that regardless of what building they are using.

Photo Credit:http://centerstageshelton.com/yc.html