Sep 9, 2016 3 min read

MIDLAND – Megan Pryor has been named director of the Henry Mancini Academy at Lincoln Park.

Pryor, a former Peters Township resident with an extensive background as a performer, teacher and choreographer, will oversee the Mancini Academy’s educational program, based at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland, that includes classes in dance, voice and acting.

“I hope to help take the Mancini Academy into a more streamlined and focused direction,” Pryor said. “I’ll be looking a lot at the curriculum, scheduling and programming to see what best serves the community and the academy’s mission.”

A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Pryor performed in the national tours of “Damn Yankees” and “Grease,” and played Shelly in the world premiere of “Closer Than You Think.” She had a speaking role in HBO’s “Sex in the City” and in USA Network’s “Burn Notice.”

After Sept. 11, 2001, she moved back to the Pittsburgh area for a few years, earning regional theater credits such as Mrs. Parker in the 2004 Pittsburgh Musical Theater premiere of “Bat Boy, the Musical.”

Pryor later served as the resident director/choreographer for the KidzAct youth theater in Naples, Fla.

A certified yoga instructor, Pryor spent the past six years on the faculty of CAP21, a professional musical theater conservatory in New York City, where she taught jazz, vocal performance, musical scene study and acting. She also served as the coordinator of educational outreach for CAP21, helping to develop the curriculum for several programs and serving areas from the New York City public school system to upstate New York.

“I’m excited to be back in my hometown, bringing my experience as a performer and arts educator to Lincoln Park,” Pryor said. “With the Mancini Academy, I’ll be look at building enrollment and how to best keep tweaking the curriculum.

“I have a lot of ideas for special programs and master classes and workshops that will be open to the community.”

Pryor’s arrival has been met enthusiastically by the community.

“When the request for résumés went out, and I saw Meg’s name come across the wire, I literally jumped for joy,” said Lincoln Park artistic consultant Ken Gargaro. “She ranks with the most dedicated, passionate and talented theater professionals I know.

“She gradually shifted her focus to educational theater from performing. It was serendipity that linked her to Lincoln Park, and she is a perfect fit for the Mancini Academy.”

The Mancini Academy at Lincoln Park’s season begins Sept. 17 for students interested in musical theater performance in various age groups, beginning at 3 years old. Classes include ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, voice and packages such as Musical Theatre Workshop, Broadway Kidz, Musical Theatre Repertory and Angelina Ballerina.

An open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday that will enable parents and students to tour the Lincoln Park facility and learn more about the program.

The Mancini Academy also is home to the Mancini Dream Team, a performance troupe composed of 12- to 16-year-olds, that performs Broadway- and Glee-style numbers at community activities and events throughout the year.