Musical Theatre Conservatory
Immerse yourself in this intensive created specifically for our
most advanced performing arts students!
Are you ready to take it to the next level? For our most advanced students, this program will help you enhance your skills to become a true triple threat. The intensive session will take place from 10:30am-2:30pm and run June 22-July 1.
Grades: Grade 10 to graduated 2026 senior (Grades 8 and 9 by approval of the Program Coordinator). All grades refer to 2025-2026 school year.
Prerequisite: 2-3 years previous training in Musical Theatre. Advanced levels of acting, singing, and dance technique and musical theatre performance experience. All current Mainstage Musical participants are encouraged to participate.
Dates: June 22-July 1, Monday – Friday
Time: 10:30am-2:30pm
Location: Trollwood Performing Arts School, 801 50th Ave S, Moorhead, MN
Instructors: Kristin & Robin Griffeath
Orientation (REQUIRED): June 8th, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Location of Orientation Marcil Commons at Trollwood Performing Arts School. Musical Theatre Conservatory will start on June 22.
Requirement: Student must come to the first class with a 32 bar audition cut printed, prepared, and memorized. Also, if possible, bring your current rep book with prepared songs you’ve used previously, a current headshot, and your resume.
Fee: Included in the “one inclusive” Trollwood fee for high school students. Refer to Program Fees for full fee structure details.
Registration Deadline: May 23, 2026. NOTE: Registration remains open after this deadline if space allows.
NOTE: Availability of scheduled guest artists may be subject to change due to artists’ unforeseen professional performance opportunities.
2026 CONSERVATORY INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Kristin Griffeath
Dr. Kristin Griffeath, soprano, grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota and has over fifteen years of experience teaching music at the elementary and collegiate levels. Griffeath attended the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI, where she double majored in Music Education (Choral/Vocal) and Piano Performance. She studied at the University of Arizona in Tucson, teaching elementary music while earning a master’s degree in vocal performance. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, she pursued a DMA in vocal performance and a second master’s degree in musicology. After twelve years of teaching voice, music history, and opera as a professor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, she relocated with her family to the Fargo-Moorhead area in the fall of 2023. She currently teaches elementary music for the West-Fargo Public School District at Horace Elementary, where she enjoys helping young musicians discover the amazing world of music-making.
Dr. Robin Griffeath
Dr. Robin Griffeath, tenor, holds degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance (D.M.A. in vocal performance), the University of Arizona (M.M. in vocal performance), and Lawrence University (B.M. in vocal performance). On the operatic stage, Dr. Griffeath has performed roles including Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, Ferrando in Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and Nanki Poo in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado. Favorite roles on the musical theater stage include Archibald Craven in Lucy Simon’s The Secret Garden, The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Alan Menken’s The Hunback of Notre Dame, and Robert in Sondheim’s Company. Griffeath performed the role of the Beast in a 2021 production of Alan Menken’s Beauty and the Beast, and in 2022, he performed excerpts from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera with the SWOSU Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, Dr. Griffeath performed the role of The Prince of Persia in FM Opera’s production of Puccini’s Turandot. Dr. Griffeath currently serves on the Concordia College faculty as an associate professor of music, where he teaches applied voice lessons, vocal literature, diction, and directs the Concordia College opera program. Dr. Griffeath is thrilled to join the Trollwood family for the summer of 2026!
Mariah Schafer
Mariah Schafer has been dancing for over 20 years and is passionate about creating performances that inspire, entertain, and tell a story. Trained at Red River Dance and Performing Company for 10 years, Mariah is proud to now be entering her 10th season teaching at the same studio where her love for dance first began.
While she teaches and choreographs a wide variety of styles, her specialties and favorites include jazz, hip hop, and musical theater. In addition to teaching at Red River, Mariah serves as the choreographer for the school musicals at Fargo South High School and Carl Ben Eielson Middle School. She has also choreographed for the Concordia College Opera for the past two years.
Throughout years of dance competitions and theatrical productions, Mariah has received numerous accolades for her choreography and performance work. However, her greatest accomplishment is watching her students grow in confidence, pursue what they love, and seeing each production come to life on stage.
Mariah approaches every routine and musical number with a production mindset, believing that every detail matters. From choreography and music cuts to costumes, hair, makeup, and storytelling, she strives to create memorable performances that allow her students to shine both individually and as a team.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Clothing for Trollwood Conservatory:
Clothes should be comfortable and movable. Athletic wear works great!
Tops –Tank top, t-shirt, sweatshirt
Bottoms – Sweatpants, long shorts, leggings
Footwear – Appropriate shoes for the class:
Dance: Ballet or jazz. Tap shoes if you are taking that section.
(If you need help acquiring dance shoes, please contact Student Services)
Acting or Musical Theatre: Clean tennis shoe. NO sandals or flip-flops.
Please dress in layers as it can be colder in the mornings and hotter in the afternoons!