Goodspeed Kids Company Master Class Series Announced

Does your child dream of seeing their name in lights? Why not have them learn from the best at Goodspeed Musicals! Aspiring young performers ages 8 and older are invited to register for up to eight different Master Classes taught by professional artists who have performed on the Goodspeed stage, on Broadway and around the country. Classes will include Acting Through Song, Comedy Acting, Vocal Performance, Audition Technique and Musical Theatre Dance among others.

Continuing Goodspeed's commitment to education and outreach in the performing arts as well as its mission of fostering the development of the next generation of artists, the Kids Company Master Class Series will provide one-of-a-kind opportunities for young people to learn from esteemed professionals in the performing arts. Through master classes focusing on various styles of musical theatre dance, acting, and singing, students will learn new techniques and hone their skills in a supportive environment. Also on offer will be an exclusive songwriting class which will introduce students to the creative process of writing an original musical.

"We are thrilled to offer unparalleled experiences for aspiring young performers in Connecticut. The Kids Company Master Class Series will support students of the arts in honing their technical skills as well as gaining a better understanding of the many elements of Musical Theatre," stated Education Director Erin Coffey. "We have assembled some of the best in the business who are dedicated to nurturing the talents of young artists."

The Kids Company Master Class Series faculty boasts such talents as Broadway veteran, Drama Desk award-nominee and 12-time MAC Award winner Karen Mason. Ms. Mason's Broadway credits include Wonderland, Mamma Mia!, Sunset Boulevard, Hairspray and many others. Karen appeared in Goodspeed Musicals Chasing Rainbows. The faculty will also include James Beaman who appeared as Sir Robin in the First National Tour of Monty Python's Spamalot, in the Goodspeed productions of Mame, How to Succeed in Business... and Annie Get Your Gun among numerous other productions across the country.

Also joining the faculty will be Michael Hartung from Broadway's hit revival Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler and Goodspeed's Chasing Rainbows; Bryan Thomas Hunt whose credits include the National Tours of Billy Elliot: The Musical, Irving Berlin's White Christmas as well as Goodspeed's The Drowsy Chaperone, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn; and Jesse Sharp who appeared in the National Tours of The Addams Family, Elf the Broadway Musical and Goodspeed's Chasing Rainbows.

2018 Jonathan Larson Grant winner, 2018 Harold Adamson Award honoree and three-time Kleban Prize finalist Mark Sonnenblick who most recently participated in Goodspeed's 2019 Festival of New Musicals as well as the Johnny Mercer Writer's Colony at Goodspeed in 2017, along with Gabi Stapula, who recently appeared in Goodspeed Musicals' The Drowsy Chaperone and on television's Saturday Night Live and Alex Stewart, who was last seen in Goodspeed Musicals A Connecticut Christmas Carol, Oliver! and Oklahoma! round out the accomplished faculty.

Students may register for classes a la carte for $65, pick four of eight for $235, or attend all eight classes for $470. To register, visit www.goodspeed.org or call 860.873.8664. Class size is limited. Financial assistance may be available.

2019 Kids Company Master Class Schedule:

February 9th, 1pm-3pm | Comedy Acting with Jesse Sharp

Beginning with the foundations of improvisation, Mr. Sharp will coach students through the basic principles of comedic acting using scenes from musical comedies.

March 9th, 1pm-3pm | Contemporary Jazz Dance in Musical Theatre with Gabi Stapula

From Hamilton to Mean Girls, contemporary jazz is all over Broadway stages! In this master class, Ms. Stapula shares how jazz dance helps tell the stories of contemporary new musicals.

April 13th, 1pm-3pm | Vocal Performance with Karen Mason

Broadway's Karen Mason, hailed by the New York Times as "a rarity," coaches students on effective vocal performance for the musical theatre stage.

May 11th, 1pm-3pm | Musical Theatre Dance with Bryan Thomas Hunt

A veteran of both classical jazz and tap, Mr. Hunt will lead a 2-for-1 class that explores both genres of dance through musical theatre choreography.

June 1st, 1pm-3pm | Acting through Song with Michael Hartung

Singing is only half of a musical performance, and in this master class Mr. Hartung helps students transform into a character through lyric and musical analysis.

June 29th, 1pm-3pm | Audition Technique with James Beaman

A 20-year veteran of the musical theatre industry, Mr. Beaman is also a sought-out audition coach in NYC. In this class, he will help students present their best work in an audition setting.

July 13th, 1pm-3pm | Songwriting with Mark Sonnenblick

An active writer currently developing a number of new musical projects, Mr. Sonnenblick helps students hone their creativity and turn their ideas into original songs.

August 10th, 1pm-3pm | Ballet for Musical Theatre with Alex Stewart

From Agnes De Mille to Carousel's Justin Peck, ballet has long been a staple of the musical theatre. With a background in classical ballet and a professional career in musical theatre, Mr. Stewart teaches students how to tell a story with ballet movement.

For more information about the program please visit Goodspeed Musicals Kids Company

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