Years ago, a group of friends and I started Children's Theatre of Livingston, to give young children the opportunity to experience theater. We always admired from a far the work that Front and Center did to help promote all of the arts in the surrounding communities. Last year, I had the opportunity to collaborate on a show and got to work together with the Front and Center team and use their facilities. I was blown away with their professionalism and commitment to the children. I recommend them all the time and if my children were younger and still interested in dance and theater this IS where they would be. As for positive comments not be posted, unless a negative is posted, I suggest the nay-Sayers do a bit more research, because across many FB pages and blogs Front and Center has deserved the accolades they consistently receive. Martha Clark Ackermann

My daughter participated in the Triple Threat class at Front and Center and loved the experience. She found the teacher to be quite dedicated and always felt great that her teacher remembered things about her and asked about them week after week. That kind of consistent one on one contact is hard to find in dance studios in New Jersey. (My older daughter had taken at another studio previously and the teacher never learned her name.) At Front and Center my daughter learned a lot about musical theatre and was thrilled to participate in the end of the year recital. She only took this one class because she has a lot of other activities and I am thrilled at the change in her after a year. She is more confident, more comfortable speaking in front of large groups and has learned the vocabulary of theatre which will help her as she gets more involved in the theatre program at her school. She was also accepted into a special chorus class that she had to audition to get into. I don't think she would have ever felt comfortable trying out had she not taken this class. I am so happy with the progress she made that I will definitely be enrolling her again this coming fall. Some people push their kids into classes like this hoping that their child will become a "star" overnight. I just want her to feel like a "star" everyday in her life and if something as simple as driving her a few miles down the road to take a class can make her feel so good, I will do it willingly.

I could not recommend a studio more. Front and Center has not only offered me truly amazing training for the past 10 years, but it has also become my home away from home. FnC offers classes for everyone from the recreational level to the pre-professional level, showcasing top NYC faculty that could not be more supportive and committed to their students growth. I have had the opportunity to learn and perform incredible, award winning choreography from top choreographers, and work on full scale, professional-level musicals. I'm now entering my senior year of high school, and therefore, my last year at Front and Center. I could not be more satisfied with my experience for the past 10 years, and I can't wait to enter my last year at this wonderful studio.

I have two daughters at Front and Center - one who is in the Performing Arts Company and one who just loves to take dance classes - and Front and Center has been wonderful for both of them. They have grown as performers and have gained confidence, friends, and joy through their experiences there. The teachers are very professional and supportive and we hope to have many more years there.

This isn't a "fight" between us and a dance studio. Our wives are mothers in this community and as you stated, they have a right to our opinions and have the right to make them known. We can hope that other parents would be kind enough to take time out of their busy lives to share their experiences - positive or negative. We work hard for the money we invest in our children and their activities. Everything stated is either an opinion or a fact as reported by our two girls who took the class or what we witnessed firsthand at the dress rehearsal and then subsequently at the show. When their mothers tried speaking with Renee, they found her very inflexible or unwilling to HEAR anything they tried to tell her, maybe reading it in words will encourage her to try make some changes for the better in the years to come.

Front and Center is my home away from home. However, I do believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This entire situation has spiraled completely out of control. There does not need to be a whole fight between "mom" and the rest of the company. They will not be returning to the studio, so there is no longer a problem. Anyone who reads this page knows that that is only one persons opinion, and many other people's positive opinions are also clearly reflected. I believe that Front and Center is a fabulous studio for all who hope to learn and grow as a performer, and that this whole war on review websites needs to end. I have grown in so many ways through my work at Front and Center.

"mom" you must be pretty lonely if the only thing you can do with your life is attack performing arts studios...you're cool.

Hey "Mom." Your Patch name STINKS! And Front & Center is AWESOME! So next time you go around saying something is bad, make sure it IS actually a bad place, FYI!

To "mom"... or whatever your name really is...
How many dance studios have your daughter and her friend been to over the years? Weren't you satisfied with any of those?
Students and parents at F&C have never had to write reviews because the studio classes and performances speak for themselves. Of course we feel the need to defend what my daughter calls her "family" and her second home! You are clearly in the minority here!
How long before you try the next studio?

My daughter has been attending F&C for the past 3 years. She started when she was 2 in the Broadway Babes class. My son just finished up his first year. We have had nothing but extremely positive experiences. My kids LOVE Ms Renee and look forward to each week at dance. In the 2010-2011 season we did have an issue related to changes in the instructor mid-year. After a few weeks I brought my concerns to the attention of Ms Renee and she immediately responded to my concerns with EXTREMELY generous accommodations. My children and I couldn't be happier and we look forward to many years at Front and Center!!

Our daughter will be attending the Boston Conservatory next year, due in large part to the training she received at Front and Center over the past 8 years. The dance, voice and musical theater classes are first rate. She was able to study with wonderful professional dancers and performers with extensive b'way or ballet/modern company experience. F&C also offers students numerous opportunities to perform: In addition to the Year End Review, the studio produces a mid-year full scale musical, with two casts, and participates in two regional "competitions" for dance and musical theater.
I admit that "mom's" post prompted mine. Like all parents, I'm busy and often forget to post positive opinions. But after seeing her anonymous postings all over the internet, I could not let the opportunity pass to let people know that the majority of parents are thrilled with the experience that their children have at the studio. I cannot speak to "mom's" individual experience, but it certainly does not resemble ours in any way. We have a younger daughter who will continue to study at F&C; not only does she love the training and the numerous performance opportunities, but she considers the kids and teachers a second family.

I find it interesting that you have to comment on the fact there are so many students and parents that support FnC only after you make a negative comment. Why? Should you be able to post what you want while those in support should remain quiet? You are the exception, not the rule. You made your comment and have an opinion, well we have opinions too and are just as free to express them. How about using your name instead of hiding behind "mom".

We found Front & Center in hopes of finding a place for our daughter to dance. Now we're starting our fifth year at F&C and we have found not only a place for our daughter to dance, but a place where she is able to discover new forms of dance and theater technique, achieve personal goals, and excel in a safe and encouraging environment. The teachers and directors always bring out the best in her and have created a confidence in her that we only could have dreamed of. We are also really looking forward to enrolling our young son in classes in the fall.

Front and Center does an amazing job. The staff is professional and invested in all of the students. The students love being there. My daughter considers FnC a second home and her friends there her second family. The environment has always been one that is supportive. My daughter had improved greatly in the few years she has attended classes in dance ,voice and acting at Front and Center. I highly recommend attending FnC!!!!

Front & Center is AWESOME!!!!!!
I've been going there for 3 years and I've loved it! They have great teachers who help you and I've made so many new friends! I can't wait for next year!

My daughter and twin boys are happy to call Front and Center a home away from home. They have all attended classes in dance, acting and singing. They have attended the various summer camps and have most recently been a part of the Performing Arts Company. The training is fabulous. The environment is supportive, compassionate and professional. I can't imagine a better artistic program for my kids. The staff is unbelievably warm and supportive yet they constantly ask that my kids stretch their capabilities. Our whole family feels incredibly lucky to have the wonderful staff of F&C as part of our lives!!

Front-n-Center is basically my favorite place in the WORLD. I'm 13 years old, and have been a student here for 9 years, and can't wait to start my 10th! So many things to say... To start I've made so many lasting bonds and friendships at FNC. The teachers are AMAZING and inspirational. I feel completely safe and loved here. Whether it be dancing, singing, or acting; competitions, musicals, or reviews; leading, supporting, or ensemble roles; I feel completely supported. In a nutshell, I LOVE Front n Center, and anyone who doesn't, can't be in their right mind. It is a home away from home, a passion, a place where I can grow as a performer, and a valuable learning experience! Love Ruby :)

Two kids and nine years at Front & Center and we couldn't be happier. My daughters have not only had extremely high quality instruction in dance, voice, and acting but they have become collaborative team players who possess professionalism, self-esteem, and discipline that will serve them well throughout their lives. And they LOVE their teachers, their classes and the shows they've been in. They've also made many, many close friends. Best performing arts studio around!

Front and Center is like my "home away from home" Throughout the past 9 years that they have helped me improve my performing arts skills, i have also made new friends and improved my self-confidence. The teachers are amazing and super professional. It's a truly fantastic environment!

Front & Center provides a fantastic atmosphere and environment for anyone interested in singing, dancing, and/or acting. They offer classes for students of all levels of interest and commitment and the teachers and staff are kind and knowledgable. I have been going there since it first opened 10 years ago and can truly call it a second home. I would absolutely recommend it!

Love it! Awesome place, because it covers all the bases: voice, acting, and dance. My daughter feels at home here and has grown into a beautiful performer, over the course of the past 6 years. Want a stress-free, nurturing, warm environment for your little performer? Check this school out!