Feature: Broadway Duo Brings Arts Education from NYC to Scituate

Broadway couple Nick Verina and Erin Henry-Verina recently relocated from New York City to Scituate, MA, and whether it was their luggage or their bulky resumes that weighed more is anyone's guess. The talented couple first travelled the country together in the first national tour of the recent GREASE revival (Nick played Sonny and Erin played Patty Simcox), although the pair has individual credits that shine on their own.

Recently, Nick Starred opposite Bernadette Peters (and also alongside Elaine Paige, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein and others) in the 2012 Broadway production of FOLLIES, and he's also worked for Broadway's biggest names: Kathleen Marshall, Josh Rhodes, Stafford Arima and Christopher Gattelli. Across the country, Nick has performed leading roles in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, ALTAR BOYZ, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY and BILOXI BLUES. As if that's not enough, he's appeared on a handful of prime-time TV shows and three original cast recordings.

Erin's resume is equally impressive. Her career began as a featured performer at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line before she traveled the country in Broadway tours of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and SISTER ACT (for which she also served as assistant choreographer). She's performed in most of the country's top regional theatres, including Papermill Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre and Cape Playhouse, showcasing her triple-threat talents in productions of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, LEGALLY BLONDE, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and FOOTLOOSE.

Although their feet are now planted a bit far from the lights of Broadway, Nick and Erin aren't exactly leaving their theatre roots aside. Instead, the two are sharing their knowledge and experience with students of the Greater Boston area. As the owners and instructors of Scituate's new Stage Door Studio, the pair is eager to begin their first two youth classes: Broadway Bound Youth Boot Camp (ages 8-12) and Musical Theatre Teen Workshop (ages 13+), in addition to the private lessons they offer. Classes begin in September and run for ten weeks, with future classes being announced soon.

Erin is coming home to Massachusetts to share the love for theatre that she gained here as a child, but Nick's motivation comes from growing up in Ohio with few opportunities for arts education. Together, they "envision an outlet for youth where they can express themselves, and gain confidence through the arts (and of course, have a ton of fun along the way)," Erin says. "We are so excited to share our love of theater with students and young aspiring actors throughout the South Shore. We understand the value of exposing children and teenagers to the arts: learning to think creatively with an open mind, and building confidence through creativity."

As the studio grows, the pair looks forward to bringing in their TV and Broadway buddies to provide additional classes and workshops, but with the experience these two hoofers have, their students already have some of the most experienced mentors they could ask for.

Stage Door Studios is currently enrolling for their inaugural sessions, with limited availability remaining in each class. For enrollment details and more information, visit www.StageDoorStudio.org.

Photos courtesy of Nick Verina and Erin Henry-Verina