Our History
The Beginning
In November of 2019, Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, CA. experienced a tragic event that impacted the entire community. Three students were tragically killed in a school shooting at Saugus High School. The owners of MTCA saw the news and recalled that the Saugus High School Director had reached out about attending the 2020 MTCA Festival. Learning they did not have the funding to participate and knowing the healing power of theatre, Lisa and Pia felt the need to do something to support the students impacted by this tragedy. They founded Musical Theatre Festivals Educational Foundation (MTF) with the initial endowment to provide full scholarships to 26 students and 4 chaperones. Seeing the joy on the student's faces as they escaped the intense experience for a small window of time and sharing the MTCA weekend with those remarkable students, confirmed the need for this nonprofit. MTF Educational Foundation operates with the mission of funding scholarships and educational theatre opportunities for deserving students.
"I cannot thank you enough for giving my students an experience they will never forget. From the moment we arrived, we were treated with such kindness. The positive energy eased their hearts and instilled confidence. Thank you MTCA for a life changing experience. "
- Gina Painter Director Saugus High School
Since 2020, Musical Theatre Festivals Educational Foundation has helped students, schools, and youth theatre groups at every opportunity. MTF was essential in assisting MTCA in bringing students back to the stage virtually when stages went dark during the Covid Pandemic in 2021. MTCA created an entirely virtual festival with immersive masterclasses & performance opportunities. MTF offered a significant number of scholarships to students whose families were impacted by the pandemic, which allowed many students to connect with others and continue doing what they love without the burden of financial ability.
"The virtual festival was professional, thoughtful, communicative, and encouraging. MTCA highlighted students and their gifts. Managing to inspire students who are numb to video screens is no small task, and I am grateful for MTCA's persistence, flexibility, and vision in a time where theater has never been so important."
- Shannon Saleh, Director, Euphony
We look forward to continuing our mission of helping to foster the next generation of artists and performers and hope you will join in our efforts!
Support MTF
Thank you for joining our mission with a donation to MTF Educational Foundation. Your donation will help us bring accessibility to performing arts educational opportunities for Middle, High School, and Youth Theatre Students.
Musical Theatre Competitions of America
MTCA
MTF Educational Foundation goal is to bring equality to performing arts by raising funds in support of MTCA scholarships and educational opportunities for students nationwide. See what your sponsorship of MTF is bringing to our scholarship recipients.
About MTCA
Musical Theatre Competition Of America - MTCA
MTCA is an Educational Musical Theater Festival filled with Performance Opportunities, Master Classes, and Competition for Middle School thru High School Students. One of MTF Educational Foundation goal is to raise funds in support of MTCA scholarships and educational opportunities for students nationwide.
"I’ve adjudicated this event for about a decade. Though the title has “competition” in it, it couldn’t feel further from it. It feels like a collaboration, a master class and a community all tied up with a sparkly gold ribbon. Get your students to this event as soon as you can!"
~ Cynthia McGarity - Master Teaching Artist, The Walt Disney Company
Our Partners
Please Support Us
Welcome to MTF! We are now fundraising in support of Students attending MTCA Festival, March 24 - 26, 2022