Milestones
In 1985, Raye Lynn Mercer, founder and entrepreneur, departed from her private studio of 35 piano students with a vision, and opens the doors of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) at 38 Main Street, Franklin, Massachusetts, offering the region a one-of-a-kind performing arts education program to include music, dance, and drama under one roof.
FSPA Milestones
| 1985 | FSPA opens. Dance Company is organized. First Holiday Showcase is presented. |
| 1986 | First Spring Concert is presented at Horace Mann Auditorium. SummerStage program begins presenting dinner theater. |
| 1987 | FSPA presents The Nutcracker with orchestra and guests from Boston Ballet. Discussions of developing a production company begin. |
| 1989 | Broadway Light is initiated as FSPA’s first musical theater troupe. |
| 1991 | Franklin Performing Arts Company is incorporated. |
| 1996 | FSPA Children’s Choir wins Boston Globe Choral Challenge and is cast in 3-month run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Boston’s Colonial Theater. FSPA’s Broadway Light performs at Disney World, initiating annual trip. |
| 1997 | Two FSPA children are cast in 3-month run of Showboat at The Wang Center. |
| 1998 | FSPA Youth Choir travels to Vienna for first European concert tour. |
| 1999 | FSPA adds street level space at 38 Main; opens new Spotlight Shop and additional studio. |
| 2000 | FSPA European concert tour includes Austria and Italy. FSPA students appear in a two-week run of Joseph at Boston’s Colonial Theater. |
| 2002 | FSPA presents Kids ‘n America tour of the East Coast following the events of 9-11. New space on street level includes new dance and rehearsal studio, music studios and business office. |
| 2003 | Electric Youth is organized, records CD and tours Europe. |
| 2004 | Eight FSPA students are cast in the Boston run of the national tour of Evita. |
| 2005 | Little Music School is introduced at FSPA. FSPA students are cast in a two-week run of Joseph at Boston’s Colonial Theater. |
| 2006 | FSPA’s Ayla Brown is a finalist on American Idol. |
| 2013 | FSPA’s Jack Mullen goes on the national tour of Beauty and the Beast. Electric Youth tours England and France for the first time. FSPA Ballet Conservatory collaborate with MetroWest Symphony Orchestra. |
| 2014 | FSPA Ballet Conservatory collaborates with Symphony Pro Musica. |
| 2015 |
FSPA introduces full calendar of all-student productions at THE BLACK BOX.
FSPA Musical Theater Conservatory is introduced. |
| 2016 |
FSPA launches new website. |
| 2017 | FSPA young pianist takes the stage at Carnegie Hall FSPA expands to the entire building of the Felix Cataldo Block |
| 2018 | Intermission opens FSPA holds first All-Age Prom! |
| 2019 | FSPA Celebrates 35th Anniversary |
| 2020 | FSPA launches VirtualFSPA during the pandemic FSPA introduces Broadway Faculty |
| 2021 | FSPA produces a movie musical |