Dean College Announces Partnership with Award-Winning Performing Arts Organization

Dean College is excited to announce a synergetic partnership with the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), downtown Franklin’s Actors Equity professional theater. This alliance will enrich the educational experience of Dean students studying musical theatre, acting, or dance; provide a professional affiliation for Dean’s Schools of Performing Arts; and support FPAC’s seasonal programming of musicals, plays, and dance performances. Through this partnership, internship opportunities will also be available for Dean students at FPAC’s THE BLACK BOX and the affiliate Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA). 

FSPA was founded by Raye Lynn Mercer in 1985 to serve the region’s performing arts students and has evolved over the past 40 years into the premier performing arts school in the MetroWest area of Boston. In 1991, the non-profit FPAC was launched by Mercer to produce shows, bringing together professional performers, emerging artists, and students. FPAC opened THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin in 2014 and became an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theatre in 2021. The company now boasts an impressive network of Broadway performers and New York-based professionals who frequently perform and teach in Franklin. As the Broadway in Franklin sponsor, Dean will also be integral in bringing FPAC’s exciting roster of Broadway professionals to Franklin, who will participate as performers, master class instructors, and mentors for young artists.

“We are fortunate and grateful to have FPAC and FSPA located just steps away from our Dean campus and have enjoyed decades of friendship with Raye Lynn and her excellent performing arts organizations,” said Mark D. Boyce, interim president of Dean College. “Our students have often been cast in FPAC productions, and this formal partnership will just expand on the experiential learning we can provide for these talented, young artists.”

The Dean/FPAC partnership will provide the following benefits to students in Dean’s Schools of Performing Arts:

• students will receive credit toward their requirements and gain professional experiences to prepare them for careers in the performing arts;
• complimentary and/or discounted tickets to FPAC performances; 
• a reciprocal relationship for sharing costumes and properties;
• opportunities to attend auditions for FPAC’s season of shows;
• Dean students who are cast will have the chance to perform with the company while maintaining their academic schedules; and
• participation in master classes offered as part of FPAC’s Artist in Residence programs.

“Our mission has always been to provide superlative training, quality entertainment, and outstanding performance opportunities for professionals, students, and emerging artists,” said Mercer. “By partnering with Dean College, the Franklin Performing Arts Company will gain talented and dedicated young performers who will benefit from hands-on experience in the industry. Our company appreciates the support of Dean College, and we’re enthusiastic about this valuable partnership.”