Krysten LeFavour, Parent of Student involved in PYT, RPE, and McDuffee Music Studio Productions
Over the past 5 years, my son has been nurtured and challenged as a performer by Emily McDuffee and her team. He has told me that he hopes to be involved in all McDuffee productions! The quality of training, support, and encouragement that Emily provides is extraordinary. She takes an interest in every young heart and soul. Her imagination and creativity is far beyond what we could ever expect. My son has grown, made friends, sharpened his skills, and enjoyed every performance with McDuffee Music Studio. Emily McDuffee is truly a treasure to our family!
Lucy, age 13, Student in Perry Youth Theatre (PYT)
I have been in five of Mrs. McDuffee’s musicals and I really enjoyed how the adults interacted with the kids. They explained things fully so the kids really understand everything that was expected of them. They tried to make everyone involved in the show, even the kids without large speaking parts or main characters. We were taught how to do our own makeup for the show, but they offered assistance if we needed it. By the time we performed, everyone was really prepared to do their parts, songs, and knew where to be. Her shows are always fun and I enjoyed being a part of the group each year and the celebration at the end of the summer at the viewing party.
Jennifer Dixon, Parent of students at IHM
Watching Emily run tech week was fascinating- I imagine it resembles an air-traffic controller landing a distressed plane….calm, in control, mindful of every technical detail and knowledgeable of her craft.” Emily is a classic theater pro- creative, quirky, fun, and thus able to build a great rapport with the kids. I appreciated her organized call schedule and weekly email updates. Our school musicals keep getting better and better!
Melissa Cole, Parent of Student at RPE
This was my daughters first year in a musical. Wow Emily McDuffee did an amazing job with these kids. She took a bunch of 9-11 year-olds, taught them songs, dances, they did sets, lights, music, everything!! It was amazing to see what these young students accomplish under her direction in just a few short months. Going into this I was not expecting much, as they are just 4th & 5th grades. Wow was I wrong!! These kids rose up to every challenge that was presented to them. I can't wait to see my kids in another production from McDuffee Studios. Such an amazing company and I'm so glad we were a part of this experience. My daughter really enjoyed her time and looks forward to doing it again!
I have been so impressed with the Perry Youth Theater summer experiences that Emily McDuffee provides. Ms. McDuffee and her team have a ton of fun with the kids while providing them a valuable learning opportunity fostering a love of the arts. Quality of each show is always terrific! The instruction and role modeling that happens with high schoolers and other skilled professionals on the team is valuable in itself. The addition of a tech camp option for students who want to learn how the back stage works was really appealing to my teenager and she’s eager to participate every year!