PTPT Studio is profoundly grateful to the entire team at Historic Thalian Hall for their belief in our mission. We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Linnae Budusky (Director of Education and Entrepreneurship), Hannah Funderburke (Technical Director), Sean Gallagher (House Manager and Volunteer Coordinator), Casey Burton (Administrative Assistant), Jarrett Donmoyer (COO), Shane Fernando (CEO), and the Board of Trustees.

To realize the dream of PTPT within the very walls where our founder, Emilia, achieved her dreams and fell in love with the man who inspired this entire vision is the most incredible honor we could receive.

As the first historic renter of this landmark, we recognize the weight of being a part of this town’s storied legacy. We do not take this opportunity lightly. We are incredibly honored to be working alongside the Thalian Hall team to write this next chapter of Wilmington’s artistic history.

Thank you for giving our vision a home where it all began.

PTPT Studio is deeply honored to recognize Dr. Bill Bolduc for his incredible generosity and professional expertise. A longtime friend of the Torello family, Bill has stepped forward to document the birth and development of our studio, capturing the "behind-the-scenes" journey of PTPT through his lens—entirely as a gift to our mission.

Bill’s connection to our founder spans decades; long before he was documenting her professional vision, he was her soccer coach, instilling in her the drive to work hard and constantly raise the bar. As a retired Professor of Communication Studies at UNCW and a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Dr. Bolduc brings world-class production value to our story. We are privileged to have his distinguished, professional eye capturing the history of PTPT as it unfolds. Thank you, Bill, for your unwavering support and for helping us show the world the heart of this studio.

PTPT Studio is proud to recognize Richard Trubia, a pillar of the Wilmington arts community and a cherished friend to our founder. Richard’s dedication to the stage is unparalleled; a member of numerous boards and a constant presence in the audience, he is a man who truly never misses a show. His support for Emilia and Paul dates back to their production of Newsies—the show where they fell in love—which Richard generously sponsored.

Driven by a desire to provide others with the musical exposure he didn't have as a child, Richard ensured his own children grew up surrounded by the arts.

His latest gift to PTPT ensures that our students will always be heard with clarity and power. We are honored to house the Richard Trubia Sound System within our studio.

Richard is a true inspiration to any philanthropist looking to foster a vibrant, creative community. Thank you, Richard, for your friendship and for keeping the music playing.

Join Richard Trubia and become a permanent part of our history at Thalian Hall: Sponsor an item for the studio to be honored on a dedicated plaque within our space.

PTPT is grateful for Nate and Stephen, owners of Taylor’s Custom Coating. We had a tight budget and deadline to get our Studio painted for the PTPT Open House on December 17, and the team went above and beyond to help us meet them. The Studio is now painted in beautiful shades of Teal and looks better than we ever dreamed it could be. Thank you, Taylor’s Custom Coating!

PTPT Studio would not exist without the lifelong devotion and unwavering belief of Tracey and Alex Torello, owners of PTPT sponsor Kaldi Gourmet Coffee Roasters and the parents of our founder, Emilia. Their support of her dreams began long before PTPT was a reality—back when Emilia was a toddler crawling up the steps of Thalian Hall for the first time.

From the thousands of miles driven to auditions and rehearsals, to the countless dance, voice, and acting lessons, Tracey and Alex have been the silent engine behind Emilia’s journey. They were the most frequent faces in the audience of every production, eventually supporting her through her BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of Miami.

Most importantly, after the devastating loss of Emilia’s fiancé and their beloved son, Paul Teal, they were the hands that held her up. They nurtured her, sat in the silence of her grief, and patiently helped her find the empowerment to see joy in life again. PTPT is the realization of Emilia’s purpose, but it is Tracey and Alex who built the woman capable of achieving it.

From serving as expert business advisors to physically hanging the photos on our studio walls, their presence as mentors, friends, and cheerleaders has never wavered. To the parents who told their children they were special and could achieve anything: thank you. PTPT—and Emilia—are forever in your debt. We love you both.