Our Story

We are excited to introduce you to the Musical Theatre Festivals Educational Foundation (MTF).

We founded this 501(c)3 charitable organization because we know students who participate in arts programs do better in school, develop profound empathy, welcome inclusivity, and are more engaged with their communities. We are keenly aware that quality performing arts educational opportunities are not accessible to every student with the desire to participate. We want to change that.

When we took over ownership of MTCA in 2019, there were no resources for scholarship opportunities; we immediately saw the need, and the MTF Educational Foundation was born. The mission of MTF is to support Middle School, High School, and Youth Theatre Students by providing meaningful and impactful scholarships for musical theatre educational opportunities and funding resources supporting educational theatre.

Your tax-deductible contribution will help us continue to achieve our goals. We are passionate about our mission and want to thank you for considering donating to the MTF Educational Foundation. Your support of Educational Theatre is more than just about opportunities to perform; it is about building community, confidence, and connections for all students, regardless of their resources.

Lisa Fry & Pia Patrick

MTF Educational Foundation Founders

In November 2019, a tragic event at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, CA, profoundly impacted its community. The owners of Musical Theatre Competitions of America (MTCA) – Lisa and Pia – saw the news and remembered that the Saugus High School Director had reached out earlier about attending the 2020 MTCA Festival, but lacked the funding.

Recognizing the immense healing power of theatre, Lisa and Pia felt compelled to support the students affected by this tragedy. They founded the Musical Theatre Festivals Educational Foundation (MTF) with an initial endowment to provide full scholarships for 26 students and four chaperones from Saugus High. Witnessing the joy on those students' faces as they temporarily escaped their intense experience and sharing the MTCA weekend with them profoundly confirmed the vital need for this nonprofit. That powerful experience solidified MTF's mission: to fund scholarships and create essential educational theatre opportunities for deserving students nationwide.

"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 of Saugus High School