Every story has a beginning. Mine started in East Granby.
When I came back to Connecticut in 1997 after years of performing professionally in New York, I had a clear mission. I wanted to build something that would do for other children what performing arts had done for me — a shy kid from Long Island who found his voice through a choir, who went on to Carnegie Mellon, who spent years on professional stages, and who came home wanting to give that gift to someone else.
East Granby was the first town that said yes.
The East Granby Summer Theater
For several summers I served as the director, musical director, and producer of East Granby’s summer theater program. Those summers were formative — not just for the children who came through the program but for me personally.
I was building something from scratch. Learning what worked, learning how to reach different kinds of children, learning how to create an environment where a shy child could take their first step onto a stage and feel safe doing it. East Granby gave me the space to do that and the community trusted me with their children.
What Grew From Those Early Years
The students who came through those early East Granby summers were part of something that grew into one of the most significant programs I’ve ever built. The Performing Arts Youth Collective became a flagship program at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, where we ran productions for nearly a decade.
Scott Galbraith, Vice President of Programming at The Bushnell, wrote to us: “From the casting process through to the conductor’s final cut-off you and your team were there, going above and beyond the call. You are an asset to the Greater Hartford Arts community and to The Bushnell.”
East Granby Families Today
If you have a child in East Granby who loves performing arts, the same quality of instruction that started in this community in 1997 is available to them today through Lamb Studios Online. One on one with me personally. Online via Zoom. From the comfort of your home.
For group class options check our current programs.
The trial lesson is $65, a full 45 minutes with me. If your child continues within 30 days that $65 goes toward the first month.
Book a Trial Lesson →
A Note of Gratitude
East Granby will always hold a special place in this story. You were first. You took a chance on a program and a director who were just getting started. What you gave me in those early years — your trust, your community, your children — helped build everything that came after.
Thank you for that. And if you have a child who is ready to find their stage, I’d love to continue that story.
— Michael Lamb, Founder
Performing Arts Programs, Est. 1997