Pantochino Studios Announces Fall 2013 Youth Classes

Award-winning Pantochino Productions Inc. has announced it's first session of classes and camps at their new studio space in Milford. Pantochino Studios is located in the former St. Ann School on Ridge Street and will offer young actors a chance to learn and grow in a supportive and creative atmosphere.

Pantochino Studios will be led by producers Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer. Bernardi is well-known actor, director, published playwright and recipient of the Connecticut Critics Circle Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre. Johansmeyer is not only an award-winning working actor and professional costume designer, he has worked with thousands of young actors in elementary, middle school and camp settings throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties.

"Our summer theatre camps for young actors have been wildly popular, and we look at Pantochino Studios as a way of expanding our offerings to young people who are looking for more experience and opportunities in theatre," said Bernardi. "We're offering a chance to learn from professionals who are actually working in the industry," he added.

The inaugural Fall session will offer classes in Improvisation, Acting, Broadway Dance Styles and a unique After-School theatre camp which will culminate in a mini production of Pantochino's wildly popular show, "Teen Santa!" The age range for classes is 7 - 15 years old.

The new studio space will also be the home of Pantochino Teen Theatre, another innovative idea from the company. "We wanted to give opportunities to young actors who are 13 years old and up," said Johansmeyer. "There are so many talented kids who only are given a chance to perform in a school situation. We can offer them a unique chance to work with professionals putting on a full production," he added. The first production will be the Stephen Schwartz musical "Godspell, Jr' which will be performed in early 2014.

Registration for Pantochino Studios classes, camps and Teen Theatre is available online at www.pantochino.com or for more information call (203) 937-6206.