Fifteen years ago, local performer Mindy Baiada, who also had Broadway experience, was searching for drama classes for her two daughters. When she couldn’t find the kind of program she envisioned, she teamed up with fellow actor Dann Dunn to create Music Theatre Philly.
The school began when she rented space at the First Unitarian Church at 2125 Chestnut Street, where her children attended preschool. She then rented studio space for a few years at Plays and Players, at 1714 Delancey Street, followed by about eight years on 12th and Spruce Street.
Although co-founder Dann Dunn now works with Gulf Shore Players in Naples, Florida, and plans to serve on MTP’s board, Mindy Baiada remains deeply involved as chair of the board of directors. Dann and Mindy first met while working as actors at the Walnut Street Theatre.
Music Theatre Philly (MTP) then moved to its current location at Nest Philly, located at 1301 Locust Street. Five years ago, Executive Director Tim Popp took over leadership of the organization. Popp graduated with a theater degree from Muhlenberg College. He went on to perform with Philadelphia-based theatre and dance, including Dance Theatre X, Tribe of Fools, and Plays and Players.
He was the Artistic Director of Wolf Performing Arts Center from 2013 – 2018, where he directed and choreographed more than 20 productions featuring student actors. At Music Theatre Philly, he has directed 10 of our productions featuring our high school performers and adult company.
Children at Music Theatre Philly explore acting, singing, dance and musical theater while building confidence, creativity and friend- ships along the way. Executive Director Tim Popp helps lead the nonprofit’s mission to provide young performers ages 2 through 18 with an inclusive and encouraging place to learn, grow and find their voices.
Today, MTP has grown into a thriving nonprofit creative arts center where children ages 2 through 18 can explore dance, acting, voice, and musical theater under the guidance of dedicated teachers who are professional performers actively working in their fields.
It serves as a home to “theater kids” of all ages who love to sing, act, dance, and perform the dramatic arts.
While students develop performance skills, the organization’s larger mission is to help children build confidence and garner respect, teamwork, and communication skills while discovering their own voices.
Classes, productions, and summer camps are divided by age, allowing students to learn alongside their peers at similar stages in their development. The goal is to create a safe, encouraging, inclusive, and disciplined environment where young performers can refine their talents while building a strong sense of community.
“We are a comprehensive performing arts training center for children, starting as young as two through high school,” Popp said. “Our signature program, MTP Presents, features full-scale musical productions.”
As students grow, so do the expectations and opportunities.
This fall, younger students in grades one through four performed Annie Kids, middle school students will take the stage in Annie Jr., and high school performers presented Bye, Bye, Birdie, complete with a formal audition process and tap and jazz choreography. The spring session is currently open for enrollment.
The organization’s adult theater company, MTP Players, also stages full productions. Its upcoming performance of The Wedding Singer will be followed by additional musicals at the Wilma Theater and the Drake Theatre. Six performances of The Wedding Singer will be held from January 15 to January 23.
For Popp, the organization’s work has become increasingly important as arts education continues to disappear from many schools. Many school districts across the country are reducing visual and performing arts classes because of budget constraints. This is despite the acknowledgement that
Despite the benefits for brain development, financial challenges have forced these tough cutbacks. For example, 2026 statistics show that 1 in 3 U.S. schools have cut their music programs, yet students with two or more years of studying music show 9 percent higher SAT scores in both verbal and math testing.
“What we’ve accomplished — and what we’re continuing to do — is help close the gap in Philadelphia where so many arts programs are being diminished,” he said.
“At the same time, we’re giving kids an inclusive, safe, and welcoming place where they can grow in confidence, develop empathy, and learn valuable skills like collaboration and adaptability.”
Students often arrive with an interest in theater, Popp said, but leave with skills that extend far beyond the stage.
“We see students develop not only as performers, but as people,” he said. “They learn how to work with all different kinds of kids and adults, become more comfortable using their voices in public, and develop problem-solving skills.”
Performing live also teaches resilience. “There are a lot of things that can go wrong on stage,” Popp said. “Our students learn to think on their feet, adapt in the moment, and work together to find solutions.”
Those lessons, he believes, serve them well, no matter what career they eventually pursue.
“Even if our students don’t continue in the performing arts, they’re gaining skills they’ll use throughout their lives,” Popp added. “Learning how to think on your feet, communicate, collaborate, and solve problems can take you anywhere.”
Although tuition helps cover instructors, production rights, costumes, and other expenses, Popp emphasizes that finances should never prevent a child from participating. The organization offers scholarships through its financial assistance program that is accessible on MTP’s website.
“Our mission is to make sure every child has access to the performing arts,” he said. “We do everything we can to remove financial barriers, so every child has the opportunity to experience theater, regardless of a family’s financial situation.”
How MTP Changed a West Philadelphia Family
When super energetic youngster Eloisa Tovar was seven years old, her mother enrolled her in a one-week summer camp at MTP that turned out to be a life-changing event. Soon after, the girl, who had loved singing, dancing, and acting since she was a toddler, made a friend her age, who is still her best pal.
“MTP has been a supportive, encouraging, and motivating place for my daughter through the years,” her teary-eyed mom, Rosana Tovar, said.
“It was not only supportive of her talent, but also of her dreams, Rosana explained. “Mindy Baiada has been an inspiration to my daughter as a performer, mentor, and successful businesswoman.”
For Eloisa, who is entering her senior year of high school with her sights on getting a BFA in musical theater, MTP has been about building community and has been an integral part of her college prep. “It is the best place in Philadelphia to pursue your dream of a career in the theater. It’s a collective process to put on a show, while creating strong bonds that can last a lifetime.”
Co-Founder Mindy Baiada Still Plays a Leading Role at MTP
Today, Baiada is also a Broadway producer behind several Tony Award-winning productions, including Maybe Happy Ending.
Baiada accepted the top honor alongside director Michael Arden – her longtime friend and producing partner. They have also co-produced Broadway’s Lost Boys and Sunset Boulevard.
She launched Music Theatre Philly shortly after earning her master’s degree in theater education from New York University. Her motivation was simple: to create the kind of safe, inclusive theater program she wanted for her own daughters, who had loved dance and musical theater since childhood. This motivation holds true in the organization’s mission today.
“My goal in starting MTP was to provide top-notch training while developing young talent,” Baiada said. “Theater is an incredible pathway for growth, confidence, and mentorship.”
Over the years, she has watched both students and teachers grow together. “We’ve been fortunate to build an amazing team of educators and artists who have helped shape MTP into what it is today,” she said.
For Baiada, however, the greatest reward isn’t the performances — it’s watching students discover their potential.
“Seeing their growth and development is the most rewarding feeling I could have,” she said.
“I’m so proud of these kids and the way they commit to the creative arts,” Baiada stressed. “As an educator, sharing this journey with our students and their families has become an integral part of my life’s work. I found my passion, and I love helping ignite that same passion in our students.”
More information on Musical Theater Philly is available on their website at www.musictheatrephilly.com/ or on Instagram and TikTok @musictheatrephilly. Families interested in the program’s scholarship opportunities should visit www.musictheatrephilly.com/scholarships. You can reach Tim directly at tim@musictheatrephilly.com.
