Bradford Creative & Performing Arts Center (BCPAC)

Since its founding, BCPAC has presented a wide variety of professional artists and ensembles, including Bradford native and world-renowned opera star Marilyn Horne, pop and Broadway star Donny Osmond, Carol Channing, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Pittsburgh Opera Theater, Dance Alloy, Buffalo Philharmonic with Marvin Hamlisch, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the River City Brass; also numerous Broadway musicals presented by national touring companies including Chicago, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Evita , Hairspray and Cats to name a few. In recent years, 'BCPAC Country' concerts have featured such national acts as Diamond Rio, Crystal Gayle, Glenn Campbell, The Oakridge Boys, Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton, and LeAnn Rimes among others.

One of BCPAC's goals is not only to present professional artists and performing troupes from outside the area, but also to showcase, when possible, talented artists and performers from or living in Bradford. In past seasons for example, we showcased Bradfordian Amy Bromeley !McCune, an accomplished pianist, the work of Bradford native, actor and playwright Robert Cucuzza, jazz singer Michael Egbert, world-renowned opera star Marilyn Horne, photographers John Kelley and Forres Stewart, and other local artists.

BCPAC is especially proud of its initiatives aimed at developing an appreciation of the arts in young audiences. The Arts in Education Committee's goal is to encourage students to meet and interact with BCPAC-sponsored performers. For example, the committee has received grants to sponsor artists-in-residence in local schools such as mime Joel Gori, and the musical storytelling troupe Tales & Scales, In addition, the Arts in Education Committee coordinates an annual summer theatre workshop. For the past 17 years, the Missoula Children's Theatre Company has conducted the week-long workshopwith sixty local students, culminating with a live performance by all the participants.

BCPAC is a member of the Twin Tiers Theatre Consortium.

BCPAC GOALS

To create opportunities for local residents and students to interact with professional artists through activities such as residencies, workshops and school assemblies coordinated by the Arts in Education Committee; to involve volunteers in as many aspects of production and administration of BCPAC programs as possible; to continue a special commitment to support, encourage and promote interest in the arts among area young people in the belief that it will foster their lifelong support of and involvement in theater arts; and to offer events that appeal to smaller, more sophisticated audiences as well as popular offerings that appeal to broader audiences.

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