PPAC Report To The Community (2026)

Message From The Chair & President

For nearly a century, PPAC has stood as a vibrant cornerstone of culture and creativity for Providence and the State of Rhode Island. Today, the Theatre continues to thrive by inspiring new generations of theatergoers, driving economic impact and preserving the Ocean State’s rich cultural heritage.

The Report to the Community provides an inside look at PPAC, showcasing the initiatives, accomplishments and forward momentum that shape our organization. It reflects our mission to serve, connect, preserve and maintain – underscoring PPAC’s lasting dedication to strengthening and enriching our community. The following highlights represent just a portion of the meaningful work we achieved over the past year:

PPAC’S MISSION

Community Outreach Programs

 PPAC subscribers are thrilled with the 2026/27 Taco and The White Family Foundation Broadway Series featuring six brand-new shows for Providence audiences. The Encore series brings back three fan favorites plus debuting a new holiday show thus ensuring a season filled with unforgettable performances.

 In recognition of the long-standing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island, PPAC was honored with the Bonney B. Sevellon Award for Creative Impact, celebrating the Theatre’s positive influence on mentorship, access to the arts and community engagement across the State.

 Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, PPAC’s ARTS Scholarships program has opened access to the arts to 900 Rhode Island middle schoolers and counting. In preparation for this milestone anniversary, PPAC sponsored a logo redesign contest with the winning logo designed by Rhode Island high schooler Laura Rodríguez Rosario.

 PPAC is hosting a sensory-friendly performance of BILL BLAGG’S FAMILY MAGIC. These performances provide a welcoming, judgment-free and inclusive experience for guests with diverse sensory, learning and physical needs.

 Experience PPAC creates the opportunity for every 10th grade student in Rhode Island to see a select touring Broadway performance at no cost including transportation, making participation accessible to every student. In the upcoming season, PPAC anticipates more than 7,000 students will participate in productions of THE GREAT GATSBY, HELL’S KITCHEN and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING.

 Each year, ARTS Showcase enables over 25,000 elementary and middle school students with the opportunity to experience the magic of live theater at PPAC during school hours or through virtual access designed to entertain, educate and inspire them in exciting and meaningful ways.

 The Ocean State Star Awards celebrates the achievements of students, teachers and designers involved in high school musical theater programs.

 Nearly 100 years old, PPAC’s Mighty Wurlitzer theatrical organ has been wowing audiences since its construction — and at PPAC since its installation in 1982. As it approaches its centennial, PPAC is pleased to announce the instrument will undergo a complete restoration, to return to PPAC in time for the Theatre’s 100th in 2028!

With your continued patronage and support, PPAC continues to strengthen its role as a vibrant cultural resource for our community. We invite you to stay connected with us by visiting ppacri.org and following us on Facebook, Instagram and X @ProvPacRI.

Our shared experiences at PPAC make it so special for all of us. Together, we rejoice in the excitement of live theater and the lasting impact it has on our lives!

Sincerely,

Joseph W. Walsh, Esq. Alan J. Chille Chair, PPAC’s Board of Directors President & CEO

To maintain fiscal responsibility 1 2 3 4

To serve the entertainment needs of the State’s various populations by presenting the widest possible variety of high-quality arts and cultural events

To connect the community to engaging creative performances and educational opportunities

To preserve the historic integrity and beauty of the building

Every dollar donated to PPAC’s Annual Fund and raised through the Theatre’s Gala Celebration is used to support our Community Outreach Initiative. Each year, this Initiative brings theater to life for thousands of audience members and emerging artists by making available low or no-cost programming.

• ARTS Scholarships

• ARTS Showcase

• Big Dreams Begin with Broadway (Seats for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island)

• Disney Musicals in Schools

• ENCORE!

• Experience PPAC

• From Books to Broadway

• Next Stop BROADWAY®

• Ocean State Star Awards

• PPAC High School Greeters

• Reignite Professional Development Series

PPAC is a non-profit organization with an ongoing commitment to give back to and demonstrate arts leadership in the community by:

Presenting community programs

Providing resources to local non-profits

Engaging in community collaborations

• Seats for Service Members

• Sensory-Friendly Performances

• Teen Ambassador Program

• Wonders of the Wurlitzer

the cultivation of creative thinking, confidence and selfawareness unique to artistic endeavors.

Since the program’s inception, PPAC has granted over $400,000 in scholarships to almost 900 students and counting!

ARTS Showcase

Each year, ARTS Showcase enables over 25,000 elementary and middle school students to attend PPAC during regular school hours or to virtually experience the joy and creativity of live theater. Performed on the PPAC stage by local professional performing arts groups and nationally acclaimed touring theater artists, the ARTS Showcase is designed to entertain, educate and inspire student audiences in new ways.

Since the program’s inception in 1998, more than 286,000 Rhode Island students have attended and enjoyed underwritten live performances at PPAC! ARTS Showcase performances are being presented both live to an audience and pre-recorded at PPAC and virtually distributed at no cost to all registered Rhode Island students grades K to 8. Transportation is reimbursed, thus expanding the number of students who are able to participate.

Disney Musicals in Schools

In 2019, PPAC was selected as an affiliate organization for Disney Musicals in Schools which creates sustainable musical theater programs in public elementary and middle schools. We are currently able to serve schools in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Woonsocket, Cranston, East Providence, Coventry, Warwick, West Warwick and North Providence. They are provided with free performance materials, professional development and in-school support from professional PPAC teaching artists to produce a Disney musical at their school. Disney Musicals in Schools culminates with students performing at a Student Share Celebration on PPAC’s stage in June.

Experience PPAC

Experience PPAC creates the opportunity for every 10th grade student in Rhode Island to see a select touring Broadway performance at no cost including transportation, making participation accessible to every student. Show study guides are provided to schools prior to their specified performance so that they can engage in the educational material and creative concepts prior to attending. Working in close partnership with each school district, Experience PPAC supports the core curriculum work that teachers and students are doing in the classroom, bringing it to life through this experiential learning opportunity.

From Books to Broadway

From Books to Broadway exposes middle and high school students to the Theatre by providing underwritten tickets to Broadway shows combined with a cast member “meet and greet” (based on cast availability). The program brings Broadway show information into the schools in a way that emphasizes the show’s educational aspects as well as information about production values, costumes and other theater topics. Visiting cast members discuss their education, experience and how they entered touring theatricals; in some cases, the cast members may even demonstrate some of their skills.

PPAC High School Greeters

The PPAC Greeter program recruits high school students, aged 15 – 18, to welcome patrons by handing out program books and answering questions during Broadway performances. Adult Greeter Coordinators, who also volunteer their time, oversee the greeters on performance nights. This program provides a great opportunity for students to develop their conversation skills, increase their confidence levels and experience live Broadway musicals! If requested, students may receive community service hours for participating in this program.

Next Stop Broadway

Next Stop BROADWAY® transports local theater-loving youth ages 10-17 to the “Golden Age of Broadway.”

Through workshops, classes and rehearsals, they tap their creativity, hone their skills and cultivate their passions in the collaborative context of the ensemble – all in one of the nation’s foremost independent theaters! This five-day, rigorous immersion into the music and choreography of iconic chorus numbers culminates in an “Opening Night” performance on the PPAC stage for families and friends.

ENCORE!

ENCORE! is an advanced, small-group, five-day musical theater intensive. The program focuses on the music and choreography of the post-Golden age eras of the 50s, 60s and 70s. The week culminates in a medley showcase on Friday from 4-5 PM for families and friends. ENCORE! is for students with previous experience. All participants must have been in a minimum of two performances and have a sense of their strengths and areas for growth in musical theater.

By working 1:1 with instructors and in small groups with fellow experienced performers, participants will challenge themselves and one another to perform at their best, complement and accent one another’s strengths and push themselves into areas where they are growing as performers.

Ocean State Star Awards

The Ocean State Star Awards program is designed to celebrate, support and advocate for high school musical theater education throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. This program celebrates high school musicals, students and teachers by formally recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our region’s high school productions. To participate, schools register to have their production reviewed by a qualified team of adjudicators.

During the spring of each review period, PPAC hosts an award showcase to recognize the outstanding achievements of high school musical theater productions and students, which is modeled after the Tony Awards®. The Ocean State Star Awards becomes a feeder program to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy® Awards in New York City.

Every year, two Rhode Island students are selected as nominees for the Jimmy® Awards and they make their Broadway debut on the Minskoff stage in New York City.

Sensory-Friendly Performances

PPAC’s sensory-friendly performances create guest experiences that are welcoming, judgment-free and inclusive of guests with a wide range of sensory, learning and physical differences. The performances are modified for individuals with sensory needs as a regular performance may be too loud, too bright or too busy for people with autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, anxiety or other cognitive/physical disabilities. PPAC works closely with our partners at The Autism Project to train staff, create break spaces for use during the performance and identify potential audiences.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Saturday, April 3, 2027 UPCOMING SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES

Seats ServiceforMembers

In Memoriam

DAVID C. DEPETRILLO

The Board and Staff of PPAC join with the RI Hospitality Association and the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau in sadly marking the passing of our esteemed colleague and dear friend, David DePetrillo.

PPAC’s Seats for Service Members program gives members of the Rhode Island National Guard, USO New England and Vet Tix, along with their families, the opportunity to experience live theater by providing underwritten prime orchestra seats for Broadway and Encore performances throughout the season. PPAC created the Seats for Service Members program as a means to express the community’s gratitude and appreciation for our service members’ outstanding sacrifices and courageous efforts.

Alan Chille reflected upon the long relationship:

“David was a true friend and one of the finest people one could ever know; he was always striving to serve the greater good for the many organizations with which he worked and as evidenced by his involvement with our Seats for Service Members program. He loved meeting the service members and their families and warmly welcomed them to shows here. We will always be so grateful for his caring and support.”

Reignite DevelopmentProfessional Series

The Reignite Professional Development Series provides Rhode Island educators an opportunity for continuing education in the performing arts and features over 50 videos on Costuming, Theatrical Lighting, Theatrical Sound, Scene Design, Theatre Arts, Movement/Choreography and Music/Vocal Arts. These videos are free to all Rhode Island educators who can earn professional learning units towards their certification. This gives educators tools they may need to put on a musical in their schools as well as use the arts to enhance the work they are already doing in their classrooms and provide additional support to schools participating in our Disney Musicals in Schools program. This video series was designed to assist schools that may be working on a tight budget, so much of the content addresses how to work, create and find resources for free or low cost.

Big Dreams Begin with Broadway

Big Dreams Begin with Broadway offers prime orchestra seats for Broadway and Encore performances throughout the season to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island (BBBS) to distribute to their “bigs” (mentors) and “littles” (children). For many children in the BBBS program, this may be the very first time they get to experience live theater or their first visit to PPAC.

Master Classes

Through the Ocean State Star Awards, PPAC hosts workshops which provide participants with additional learning opportunities through the touring Broadway shows that come through the Theatre. Students receive feedback from industry professionals through artistic and technical performance training opportunities. These are only offered to schools registered in PPAC’s Ocean State Star Awards program.

Wonders of the Wurlitzer

PPAC’s “Mighty Wurlitzer” is one of only three five-manual keyboard consoles ever built by America’s Wurlitzer Company. Built in 1927 to provide full musical accompaniment to silent films, the Wurlitzer was purchased in 1982 with a grant from the City of Providence. Today, under the direction of House Organist Peter Edwin Krasinski, the Wurlitzer continues to wow audiences! Patrons attending select PPAC shows are treated to a special pre-show musicale. An annual calendar of free WOW@PPAC events invite audiences to unique community experiences featuring the wonders of the Wurlitzer. Additionally, PPAC continues to grow an online library of free, holiday-themed entertainment available at ppacri.org/wow.

The Teen Ambassador Program is a vital leadership opportunity within our arts education programming for high school students. Each month, Teen Ambassadors are exposed to a different career track in the arts management industry and get firsthand knowledge from industry professionals.

Volunteer Usher Program

The PPAC volunteer usher staff is among the most dedicated group of people you’ll ever come in contact with… and if you’ve attended a performance at PPAC, you have been in contact with at least one of the 200 members of that group!

Seating, directing and assisting upward of 3,100 patrons so they can comfortably and safely enjoy the performance is no easy task. They dedicate thousands of hours each season to ensure things run smoothly at every show.

Ushers are students, members of the community, local business people and retired senior citizens - many have been performing this civic act continuously for more than 25 years! In their service to the Theatre, they have become a family and have forged relationships that last a lifetime.

Theatre Restoration

Restoration projects at PPAC are crucial for preserving its historical and cultural significance while ensuring the Theatre remains a vibrant, functional venue for contemporary audiences.

The grand drape and main act curtain, key visual elements of PPAC’s proscenium, were replaced along with their supporting structure due to fabric deterioration that had diminished both their appearance and performance quality. Last updated in 1999, this restoration ensures artistic integrity and is expected to serve the Theatre for at least another 25 years.

Gala Celebration

Each season, PPAC’s Gala Celebration brings together over 600 supporters from within our community for an elegant evening of entertainment and spectacular food prepared by some of Rhode Island’s top restaurants and catering companies.

Contributions to the Gala Celebration support PPAC’s Community Outreach Initiative which brings theater to life for thousands of audience members and emerging artists by making available low or no-cost programming.

Administrative Staff

Board of Directors

Officers

Joseph W. Walsh, Esq. Chair

Mark T. Ryan, Esq. First Vice Chair

Thomas A. Tanury Second Vice Chair

Lowell W. Kinch

Treasurer

Ellen Barnes

Secretary

Board Members

Kristen L. Adamo

Michael A. Bucci, LL.M., CPA

Gabriella DiGiacinto Caprio

William J. Conley, Jr., Esq.

Darren Corrente, Esq.

Jason M. DaPonte

Alison Eichler

Thomas P. Fay, CFA

Janet S. Fogarty, Esq.

David A. Fontaine, CPA

David L. Fried, MD

Inez H. Friedman-Boyce

Gary E. Furtado

Cynthia Laughlin

Barbara S. Lavine

Matthew A. Lopes, Jr., Esq.

Paul A. MacDonald

Robin L. Main, Esq.

The Honorable Daniel McKee (Ex-Officio)*

Rick Metters

A. Ralph Mollis

Antonio S. Montecalvo

Terrence P. Moran

George H. Nee

Nina Pande

Gary M. Penfield

Lawrence E. Purtill

David Salit

Christopher Satti

Stephen Shechtman, Esq.

The Honorable Brett P. Smiley (Ex-Officio)*

Robert Vincent

John Hazen White, Jr.*

Patrick Wholey

William K. Wray

*Director Representatives

Antonio Afonso (The Honorable Daniel McKee)

Matthew Shumate (The Honorable Brett P. Smiley)

Benjamin White (John Hazen White, Jr.)

Administrative

Directors

Judy Ferreira

Chief Financial Officer

Janice Anderson

Director of Theatrical

Programming

Amanda Bonafine

Director of Concerts & Comedy

P.J. Prokop

Director of Marketing

Stephanie Santos

Director of Ticketing

Donna L. Santos

Director of Ticketing Projects

Claudia Zompa

Director of Development

Dana Brazil

Director of Education, Outreach & Engagement

Ricky Gresh

Director of Community Programs

Anthony Mylers

Director of IT Services

Administrative Support

Elizabeth Rainone

Executive Assistant to the President/CEO

Lisa Viall

Office Manager

Pamela Halloway Front Desk Receptionist

Finance & Human Resources

Keith J. Labrecque

Senior Accountant

Heather M. Bizon

Accountant

Jillian Robillard

Accountant

Linda Haddock

Director of Human Resources

Alan J. Chille President/CEO

Programming

Kathryn DeAmaral

Concert Buyer

Matthew Beaune

Programming Admin:

Broadway & Theatricals

Jarrod White

Programming Admin: Concerts & Comedy

Education, Outreach & Engagement

Betsy Rinaldi

Education, Outreach & Engagement Manager

Grace Madeya

Education, Outreach & Engagement Associate

Kathryn Dudeck

Education, Outreach & Engagement Specialist

Marketing

Caitlyn DiPompo

Marketing/PR Projects Manager

Paul Hiatt

PPAC/The VETS Group Sales Manager

Sharon Corcoran

New Subs/CenterStage Sales Rep

Nick McNeish

Digital Media Specialist

Sophia Semco

Digital Media Assistant

Ella Menoche

Creative Digital Assistant

Box Office

Richard DeFilippo

Assistant Director of Ticketing

Tara Chaves

Box Office Supervisor/ The VETS Box Office Manager

Kelly Prudent

Box Office Supervisor

Marissa Curley

Box Office Supervisor

Domenic Arlia

Box Office Supervisor

IT Services

Brandon DeCesare

Systems Administrator

Natalie Flores

Junior Systems & Reporting Analyst

Front of House

David Luongo

Director of Security

Mario Nasisi

Assistant Director of Security

Bruce Ingham

House Manager

Lauren Maguire

President’s Club Liaison

Inez Bush

President’s Club Liaison

Peter Edwin Krasinski

House Organist

Operations

Amanda Ronchi

Assistant General Manager

Matthew Pawlik

Director of Food, Beverage and Parking

Jonathan Taylor

Operations Manager

Ollie Fricchione

Concessions Manager

Nick Berardinelli

Capital Projects Advisor

Backstage

Zachary Remson

Technical Director

Liam Newberry

Assistant Technical Director

Bill Brackett, III

House Carpenter

Charles Ryan

IATSE Business Agent

Peter Vecchio

House Properties

Amy Fernandez

House Electrician

David Allen

House Sound Engineer