IN THE NEWS
Empire Training Center for the Arts offers a new paradigm for behind-the-scenes performing arts career development (WAMC)
"Empire Training Center for the Arts is a new vocational venture operating out of The Chance Theatre on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, New York. Married co-founders Trish Santini and Frank Butler have drawn on decades of combined arts administration and stagecraft experience to develop a brand-new training blueprint for individuals interested in working in the performing arts from the production side - without attending traditional, and often costly, university programs. Applications are now open for the first round of Stagecraft and Technology fellows – the application window closes on January 31...."
Empire Training Center for the Arts: A new college alternative in Poughkeepsie (Poughkeepsie Journal)
"...Both partners aim for their collaboration to be a symbol of investment in the future of downtown Poughkeepsie, and their commitment to continuing the revitalization of the city's arts and culture scene. Additionally, the organizers said, it is a response to the need for training opportunities that are accessible and within the performing arts sector. "As a firm deeply invested in Poughkeepsie, we strongly believe that creating careers through vocational training and strengthening the arts locally are two of the most essential ingredients in the growth and vibrancy of a community," said Jay Blumenfeld, COO of Walkway Group. Applications will open for the program in November and the spring semester will begin in March or April next year."
The Work of Art with Trish Santini & Frank Butler (Radio Kingston: The Good Work Hour)
"Tonight's guests are Trish Santini & Frank Butler of Empire Training Center for the Arts located at the historic Chance building in Poughkeepsie. They have each dedicated their lives and work to the arts in numerous capacities. We discuss the core values of Curiosity, Problem-Solving, and Collaboration, and how these are embedded in ETCA (Empire Training Center for the Arts ).
In Common Perspectives: A Conversation with Trish Santini
A conversation between Trish Santini, Co-Founder & Executive Director at Empire Training Center for the Arts in Poughkeepsie, NY and Henry A.J. Ramos, Senior Fellow, Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy at The New School in New York, NY
Nonprofit to offer job training for adults seeking careers in performing arts (Broadway News)
"Empire Training Center for the Arts (ETCA), a new arts workforce development program, has been announced. Co-founded by Trish Santini and Frank Butler, the Poughkeepsie-based nonprofit will provide training in technical and administrative positions in the performing arts. ETCA was created in response to a need for training programs for communities that are historically underrepresented in non-performance careers in the arts. ETCA allows individuals to earn training, experience and job placement in the arts without having to attend a four-year college program... The 10-month long program will take place three days a week at Poughkeepsie’s Chance Theater. Applications will open in November for ETCA’s first cohort, which will begin in spring 2025. "
Second Chance: Chance Theater Becomes Homebase for a New Workforce Initiative (Chronogram)
"Poughkeepsie’s Chance Theater may be temporarily shuttered for renovations, but it’s already preparing for its next act. The historic theater will soon serve as a hands-on classroom for a nonprofit workforce development initiative that offers technical and administrative courses in the performing arts. The Empire Training Center for the Arts, co-founded by Poughkeepsie residents Trish Santini and Frank Butler, was created to provide training opportunities in communities that are historically underrepresented in the performing arts and also to encourage more diversity in the industry’s technical and administrative sectors. Additionally, the initiative aims to provide an accessible, high-quality education for adults seeking an alternative to traditional college degrees..."
Empire Training Center for the Arts Supports Workforce Development in Poughkeepsie (Hudson Valley Magazine)
"It’s no secret that the Hudson Valley region is growing in popularity as a filming destination for breakout movies and television shows, and a new workforce development initiative is setting the stage for adults seeking a career in the performing arts space. Empire Training Center for the Arts (ETCA) is a nonprofit program that is designed to transform the vocational training landscape for prospective technical and administrative professionals in the performing arts space. The innovative program will be housed in Poughkeepsie’s historic Chance Theater, which is located in the heart of downtown and has seen many icons in its heyday, from Bon Jovi to Bob Dylan. The theater, which was an operating music venue until October 2023, is getting the revival that locals long hoped for with the new Empire Arts program..."
Unexpected Update for ‘New’ Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie (101.5 WPDH)
"One of the Hudson Valley's most beloved concert venues has shared some massive news... but it almost completely flew under the radar. The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY was originally built over 100 years ago, and has hosted legendary artists ranging from The Ramones to The Deftones and everyone in between. Last year, however, its future was uncertain. In 2023, many Hudson Valley residents were shocked to learn that the Chance would be closing, and worry about the venue's future increased when the building's sale was announced. Luckily, the new owners announced their plans to reopen a "bigger and better" version of the Chance... and some new details have finally emerged on their timeline..."
Empire Training Center for the Arts set to launch workforce development program (Mid Hudson News)
"POUGHKEEPSIE- The Empire Center for the Arts (ETCA), a new not-for-profit workforce development initiative, is set to transform the vocational training landscape of technical and administrative jobs in the performing arts. This innovative program will be housed at the historic Chance Theater in the City of Poughkeepsie and is designed specifically for adults seeking careers in the performing arts. ETCA, co-founded by arts leaders and City of Poughkeepsie residents Trish Santini and Frank Butler, was developed in response to the urgent need for training opportunities for communities that are historically underrepresented in the performing arts..."