Our Staff

Artistic Director

As a performer, Mr. Ruhala has worked on and off-Broadway, in Film, TV, Ballet, Opera, Cabaret, and Videos, throughout the world. As a director, producer, and choreographer, Mr. Ruhala has created innovative stagings of over 40 original and classic works. He works for the National Endowment for the Arts as a panelist adjudicating grants. Mr. Ruhala founded the Broadway Training Center in New York, a not-for-profit performing arts center, and served as the Executive/Artistic Director for 13 years. Mr. Ruhala’s expertise has a foundation of over 35 years in the entertainment industry as a director, choreographer, writer, (and probably the one he would say he still enjoys the most?)… TEACHER! In fact, his greatest satisfaction still comes today from sharing what he’s learned from entertainment and the arts over such a long and successful career in the entertainment industry. He especially likes to connect with the young  dancers, actors, singers, performers that will always remind him of a boy many years ago that discovered his inner artist and met a dance teacher, who would become his mentor and give him the knowledge and the skills he would need to make his dream come true. It is here Mark finds his greatest passion and love for the craft of theater.

Artistic Director

Celina Matos Ruhala has many facets to her work. She is a Performing Arts Educator & Performer, a Reiki Master & Integrated Movement Specialist. Before moving to MI in 2004 and forming the Ruhala Performing Arts Center with her husband, she served as the Administrative Director of the Broadway Training Center (BTC) in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. At BTC, Ms. Ruhala also served as an instructor of dance, musical theatre, pre-school and ensemble classes, as well as being a leading player in many BTC Productions. She trained as an actor with Larry Silverberg, world renowned for his teaching of the Sanford Meisner technique. As a Reiki Master and Integrated Movement Specialist, Celina has supported many young people and adults in their healing and accomplishing their individual goals. More information about Reiki and Integrated Movement can be found on the Health & Well Being page.

Technical Director

The Magic of Theatre attracted me at a very early age. My father was one of the first Instructors at the brand new Lansing Community College. Of the many things he started at LCC, Theatre was one.I loved helping him produce live theatre productions in various classrooms during the early ‘60s. I worked many Theatre productions all through school, but the Big thing in the late 1960’s was Rock & Roll!  That was where I could be creative in an ever growing field, Theatre Tech. Lights, Sound, Sets, Effects and later Video and Digital/ Computer technology. I started with local bands in Mid-Michigan and went on to major tours, working North America and Europe with everyone I could, from Aerosmith to Zappa. I finally settled back in the Lansing area working at the brand new Wharton Center for Performing Arts. First, as a technician and soon becoming a Stage Manager. After working at M.S.U. for more the 18 years. I was hired as the Production Manager at Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI, where I supervised the technological installations during the building of this “State of the Art” Center.  After the most incredible, and event filled First Season at the Fox Cites PAC, I returned to Mid-Michigan. Not soon after, I walked into an old bread distribution center (where they were installing a new stage/dance floor) and asked the new owner if he needed any help. His name was Mark Ruhala.