Take 5 with Emilia Torello

Thalian Hall has been the backdrop for many of EMILIA TORELLO’s major life moments. It was there she performed over the years, growing up in Wilmington’s theater scene, including in roles like Annie and Eliza Doolittle in 2018. “That year, I walked across the stage to graduate high school and immediately ran down to the theater to finish a matinee performance before leaving to earn my BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Miami,” she says. It was at Thalian where she shared the stage with her eventual fiancé, PAUL TEAL. After he died from cancer in 2024, Thalian Hall is now where Torello now wants to carry on her and Teal’s love for the theater community. In December, Torello moved into Thalian Hall as the historic venue’s first-ever commercial tenant. Her new venture, Professional Theatrical Performance Training (PTPT), “is a performing arts training center that provides elite classes and hands-on production experiences,” says Torello, who serves as its executive artistic director.

What role do you see PTPT filling in the local theater scene? “I see PTPT as a bridge to the professional performing arts community. We want to create opportunities for artists to refine every aspect of their craft, so they are fully prepared for professional employment.” Why did you want to base it out of Thalian Hall? “Thalian Hall, funnily enough, was the final piece of the puzzle. We initially had no idea where PTPT would live, but I eventually spoke with SHANE FERNANDO, CEO of Thalian Hall, who is a dear friend and had directed Paul and me in Newsies in 2022. I knew Paul had already been in talks with Shane about educational opportunities at Thalian during his battle with stage IV neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. I have worked with Shane for years and grew up on that stage, so it felt truly kismet when we realized our visions were so aligned.” This also is your first season for PTPT Apprentice Theatre. How many shows do you plan to stage this year? “We have four exciting shows lined up. Our first is Dear Evan Hansen, produced in partnership with And Seen Theatrical Productions. Our main Apprentice season includes Carrie: The Musical, The Wolves, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood, all of which will be led by our apprentice creative teams and designers.” How do you see PTPT growing in the future? “I see PTPT growing to fill every need in the theater community. From increasing professional employment through our productions to offering teaching positions, we won’t stop until every artist can live and work sustainably in Wilmington.” What’s a favorite production you’ve either had a role in or watched as an audience member? “My all-time favorite production was Newsies at Thalian Hall in 2022. That is where I met the love of my life, Paul Teal. He was cast as Jack Kelly, and I was Katherine Plumber; we fell in love both on stage and off. Katherine had always been a dream role for me, and Jack was one for Paul, so our love story couldn’t have had a more perfect beginning.”

EMILIA TORELLO’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Lifestyles email. To sign up for the email, go to WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.

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