Rita Beaulieu Dance & Performing Arts

History

Established in 1954.

Rita Beaulieu Santilli (Founder & Director)

Rita started dancing at the age of 3 at the Kay Merwin Studio in Providence. Through the years, she performed with Salty Brine and other Radio and TV personalities in variety shows throughout the state. In 1954, she opened her dance studio in Turcotte Hall in West Warwick. She taught ballet, tap, pointe and acrobatics. Her first dance recital was presented in St. John’s Church Auditorium. In 1956 she married Pat Santilli and moved her studio to their home on Andrews Avenue in West Warwick, where it remained until 1979 when she opened her Main Street Studio, next to Centreville Bank. Gymnastics classes were taught at the St. John’s Gym. With her dancers, she traveled to conventions in NYC, attended the NY World’s Fair, and performed in numerous county fairs and charitable performances, including the USO shows for the returning servicemen. Students also performed at the MD Telethon at PPAC. In the Fall of 1962, the Rita Beaulieu Twirling and D