A new teen ambassador program has launched at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), giving 29 high school students a chance to explore non-performance careers in the theatre industry.  

With instruction in technical production, marketing, programming and development, the aim of the program is to highlight these roles to students, helping them to uncover their true interest and exposing them to these pathways before they go to college. 

The downtown Providence institution presents touring Broadway productions, comedy acts and concerts, and has a seating capacity of about 3,100. 

PPAC has launched 24 national tours since 2008. In addition to its work with Broadway productions and performing acts, there is also a focus on developing learning opportunities for students, families and educators alike.  

The teen ambassador program is a component of that focus. 

Dana Brazil is the director of education, outreach and engagement at PPAC, and she works with Grace Madeya, the education, outreach and engagement associate, to direct this program. 

Brazil said PPAC is extremely important to the community, especially with the arts seeing years of cutbacks in public-school curriculum.  

“I don't think everything we do should be performance-based,” Brazil said. “I think we should be exposing kids to this program and to different careers.” 

The teen ambassador program started with an introduction to the theatre, its history, and mission for students and their parents.  

“On some level, they’re our future audience,” Brazil said. “You're creating the love of the arts or theatre. Hopefully creating your next wave of theatregoers who will want to come back to the theatre. We are creating a home for them with memories and experiences that they will never going to forget.” 

Amelia Albino, a senior at Cranston West High School, applied for the program to explore the “behind the scenes of what it takes to stage a production, promote it and run a theatre.” 

Albino has been a patron of PPAC since she was 3 years old, when her parents took her to see “The Nutcracker.” The production of “The Nutcracker” has become special in her house and gave her a way to “enjoy the wonders of the performing arts.” 

Since then, she has been an avid theatregoer. Albino was ecstatic to find out she got into the program.   

She hopes to study political science in college and to attend law school. Albino finds that learning about theatre and the different careers available through this program has helped her with her goal. 

“I believe theatre has prepared me for this [interest in law school] by strengthening my public speaking skills, as well as exposing me to many perspectives through productions I’ve either seen or been in,” Albino said. 

Audrey Kuiawa is a senior at Pilgrim High School, and she is also among the 29 students selected to take part in the program.  

Kuiawa has experience with PPAC, working as a teen greeter for the last three years. 

The teen greeter program is for students ages 15-18 years old. They welcome patrons to the theatre, answer questions, and share special information needed before the Broadway series performances. 

PPAC was the start of Kuiawa’s love for theatre. She grew up going to shows with her mom.  

During her time as a greeter, Kuiawa reached out to Brazil for more volunteer opportunities with the theatre. And that is when she was introduced to the program.  

She hopes to study theatre management and/or production next year when she heads off to college.  

“Through working with PPAC I have learned how much I love being behind the scenes of theatre,” Kuiawa said. “This program gives me so many opportunities to learn more about theatre and explore different aspects of the careers I am interested in.” 

The program meets on the first Monday of each month. Brazil said that the sessions will bring in guest speakers from various roles across the industry.  

Kuiawa shared how excited she is to learn more about theatre marketing from Marc Viscardi, the vice president at Bond Theatrical, a Broadway marketing house in New York City. 

The 2025-2026 teen ambassador program application will open in April 2025. Interested individuals can reach out to gmadeya@ppacri.org with any questions. 

For more information about different shows, programs, volunteer work, tickets and more, visit ppacri.org.