About Us

The History:

The Providence story begins in 1989 when Terri Blackwell started a performing arts co-op named The Northwest County Homeschool Choir Program.  The program met at Chatham Bible Church and was highly regarded and sought after.  There was a waiting list of interested families because the facility could not accommodate more students.  In the early 2000’s, the program started taking steps to find a larger facility and transition from the co-op model to a tuition-based program.  In 2005, Providence Fine Arts Center was officially launched.

For years, North Saint Louis County, Missouri, has been a “youth theatre desert”.  Although there are amateur theatre companies in North Saint Louis County, none of them regularly produce youth-only shows. Thankfully, that is no longer true, as Providence now offers an evening drama program that includes all youth.  Providence is proud to be the only theatre organization offering a fully dedicated youth drama performance program in North Saint Louis County!

Recognizing a performing arts education provides many social and educational advantages, Providence maintains very low enrollment fees. We provide our families the chance to participate in the performing arts at a very affordable price.  Providence is primarily funded through enrollment fees, ticket sales, fundraising campaigns, charitable donations, and patronships.

Meet the Team:

Ms. Tracie (Director) caught the acting bug in elementary school.  In the fifth grade she followed the Yellow Brick Road as Dorothy in her school’s musical production.  In sixth grade she wrote, directed and starred in her first play, Santa Goes to Bunny Land. That show was performed exactly one time for a school audience 😊 Ms. Tracie studied drama and musical theatre in high school, performing in musicals and winning awards in drama festivals and competitions.  As an adult, she has performed in many musicals and plays in amateur community theatre productions. Everything came full circle for Ms. Tracie when she played the Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Gulch in the Wizard of Oz, and earned an Arts for Life Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role!  Although Ms. Tracie is an economics professor by day, she still manages to directed many amateur theatre shows in St. Louis. When it comes to theatre though, she is happiest working with the youth of Providence!

Ms. Dee (Assistant Director/Costumer) learned how to sew from Providence founder, Terri Blackwell.  Ms. Dee has become an accomplished seamstress.  In 2016 Ms. Dee sewed not 1, not 2, but 3 Belle gowns for Providence’s productions of Beauty and the Beast.  Ms. Dee gained her wealth of drama experience watching, helping, and supporting her 10 children (yes! 10!) as they participated in theatre programs growing up.  Ms. Dee has directed choirs, musicals, and plays at churches and Providence for 40 years! Ms. Dee has taught many sewing classes too.  Even though Ms. Dee still runs her sewing business, she finds time to share her talents with Providence.  In her spare time, Ms. Dee is busy visiting her 10 children and 16  (almost 17) grandchildren around the country.