Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre was launched in 2017 to fill a need that became obvious in the private vocal studio of Rick Lewis, the resident music director for Portland Center Stage. In 1993 Rick moved to Portland, after 15 years of working professionally in New York City, as a music director/pianist/arranger. His credits include numerous Off-Broadway and cabaret performances (music director and pianist), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (pre-Broadway workshop with Sondheim and Lapine), casting pianist; THE LIFE (pre-Broadway workshop with Cy Coleman) - assistant music director/vocal director; THE BEST OF DISNEY (Disney Live Theatrical), Macy*s Thanksgiving Parade, American Hawaii Cruises, American Classic Voyages cruise lines, and writer/arranger of the hit Off-Broadway musical THE TAFFETAS and more.

Around 2011, graduating high school students from various Portland musical theater programs sought the help and guidance of Rick Lewis to gain entrance into college musical theater programs. It was an eye-opening experience for Rick. These students had no book (a collection of the musical repertoire for auditions), no monologues that suited them and were clueless as to the direction to take to get accepted! These are the basics that any musical theater student should have in hand.

After recovering from a stroke in 2016, Rick knew it was time to launch a musical theater program that would provide young performers with the tool set needed to follow their dreams. During his stroke rehabilitation, Rick began developing the ideas for Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre. It would be a school for students aged 12 to 19, focusing on all three elements of “triple-threat” performance: Acting, Dance and Vocal Performance. It was the FIRST professional triple-threat program for young performers in the Portland area. Instructors all came with Broadway and National Tour credits.

In 2016, Bridgetown Conservatory presented its first Broadway musical theater vocal performance workshop with Broadway star, Shoshana Bean. It was a packed house. In 2017, Bridgetown opened its doors on the first term of full triple-threat training. In 2021 Bridgetown created a triple-threat program focused on adults. The same program for teens, but with adults in mind. The adult triple-threat class is open to adults ages 20 and up.