About Us
Our Story
Centre Stage Inc. began as a dream in the heart of founder Keely Milliken. Growing up in Monrovia, Keely noticed there were few performance opportunities for local youth. In the fall of 1999, she started teaching voice lessons in her living room with just four students. Within months, the program grew rapidly to over twenty enthusiastic young singers.
As the students progressed, Keely realized they needed real performance opportunities. In 2000, she founded Centre Stage, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This allowed the studio to raise funds, produce full-scale Broadway-style musicals, and create the annual musical review called LIGHTS.
Over the past 25+ years, hundreds of students have walked through our doors. Many have gone on to professional careers in theatre, music, television, and film. But our greatest pride lies not only in the talent we develop, but in the confident, kind, and resilient young people we help shape. Centre Stage has become much more than a studio — it is a second home and a supportive community for countless families.
Our motto says it best: “Centre Stage kids don’t get in trouble — they’re in rehearsal.”
Our Mission & Goals
Mission:
Transforming lives by combining artistic excellence in the performing arts with mentorship, community, and opportunity for children and families.
Vision:
To see young people from every walk of life empowered with skills, confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of community through the performing arts.
Our Goals:
We are committed to:
- Providing the highest quality instruction in voice, piano, acting, musical theatre, dance, and performance skills.
- Creating meaningful performance opportunities through full-scale musicals, recitals, showcases, and community events.
- Making arts education accessible to all children, regardless of financial background, through scholarships and inclusive programming.
- Building character by teaching discipline, resilience, teamwork, empathy, and self-expression.
- Partnering with local schools and community organizations to bring quality performing arts programs into the Monrovia area.
- Preparing students not only for success on stage, but for success in life.
Through these goals, we aim to nurture well-rounded individuals who carry the lessons learned at Centre Stage into every aspect of their future.
Our Values & Impact
At Centre Stage Inc., everything we do is guided by five core values:
- Community — We create a welcoming environment where every student feels seen, supported, and connected, building friendships that often last a lifetime.
- Excellence — We deliver professional-caliber training that challenges students to reach their full potential while fostering creativity and a strong work ethic.
- Character — We emphasize responsibility, respect, empathy, and integrity, helping students grow into confident and compassionate individuals.
- Accessibility — We believe every child deserves access to the arts. We offer scholarships and strive to remove financial barriers.
- Empowerment — We use the performing arts as a powerful tool to build confidence, leadership skills, and resilience that will serve students for life.
Our Impact
For more than two decades, Centre Stage has served hundreds of students, produced over 30 full-scale productions, and helped shape the lives of countless young performers and their families in the Monrovia community and beyond.