Betty Buckley Continues Workshop Class at Casa Mañana This Fall

Legendary Actress/Singer and Broadway Star Betty Buckley who is also a Fort Worth native, will continue her successful Song Interpretation Class and Communication Workshop at Casa Mañana Theatre in October and November 2008.

From her highly praised starring role in M. Night Shyamalan feature film The Happening, her two new highly lauded CD’s 1967 and The Quintessence, and her acclaimed performance at the Kennedy Center Honors on behalf of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Tony Award winner will share her singing and acting techniques in her acclaimed full-length Master Class, Song Interpretation Intensive and Communication Workshop for actor-singers. The course is designed for both dedicated students and advanced professional performers.

The Song Interpretation Intensive schedule consists of six sessions on Tuesday, October 21, Tuesday, October 28, Tuesday, November 4, Tuesday, November 11, Tuesday, November 18, and Monday, November 24, 2008.  Classes begin at 6:30pm and last 4-5 hours. An accompanist will be provided. For more information go to  www.bettybuckley.com, www.casamanana.org or call (940) 300-4944.

Prospective participants should call (940) 300-4944 or email: marjorie@unt.edu for further details and to arrange an interview. The class will be held in the Casa Mañana Theatre at 3101 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, TX.

J.B. Wing, who recently made her Broadway debut in the musical High Fidelity and will soon appear in the 1st National Tour of Xanadu commutes to Texas from NYC to continue her training with Buckley. "Betty has taught me to open my heart and be utterly fearless as a singer and story teller. In the six years I have studied with Betty, I have learned to communicate, not only as a performer, but also as a human being. With her expertise and her nurturing guidance, Betty and her teachings have completely changed my life."

The class also welcomes auditors who can participate in all aspects of the class except the individual singing exercises. Buckley has trained investment bankers and business professionals from many fields. "No matter what your career, to communicate at your best is absolutely vital, whether it's to one person, a group or an entire audience. But most people get nervous, forgetful and too fearful to express themselves," says Buckley. "I'll help you redefine that fear and use it to your advantage. We'll talk about the dynamics of communication, the essence of common respect, and training your mind to focus on your behalf."

The first class will begin with an introduction to a universal spiritual philosophy and meditation techniques as an approach to storytelling through song. Each subsequent class will start with meditation and move onto exercises and individual song interpretation practice.

About Betty Buckley:

Betty Buckley possesses one of the finest and most unique instruments in musical theatre - a versatile voice that pierces the soul both with its razor-edged belt and ethereal upper register. Her emotional connection to a song and to the audience is world-renowned, and that very connection is at the heart of the skill and knowledge she shares with students.

Buckley is known for her dazzling work in musicals such as Sunset Boulevard, (Olivier Nomination), Cats (Tony Award), Triumph of Love (Tony Nomination), 1776, Song & Dance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Pippin, and Elegies: A Song Cycle.

She is also a highly sought-after Emmy-nominated TV ("Eight Is Enough," “Law and Order:SVU and HBO’s “Oz”) and film star (Tender Mercies, Carrie, Frantic, Another Woman and this year’s The Happening).

The Actor-Singer devotes much of her time to concert appearances around the world. Her solo CD, "Stars and the Moon: Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar Warehouse," received a Grammy nomination.   Last fall she released a new CD “Betty Buckley 1967,” which hit the Billboard charts. Her newest recording “Quintessence,” with long-time collaborator Kenny Werner and her quintet has just been released to acclaim.

Buckley got her start in live theater at Casa Mañana. She made her professional stage debut at age 15 in a Casa Mañana production of the Styne-Sondheim-Laurents masterpiece, Gypsy. She had previously performed in Casa Mañana’s children’s theatre and she later did several summer stock productions at Casa.  The Betty Lynn Buckley Awards program honoring outstanding Musical Theatre for Tarrant County high schools were named for Buckley’s outstanding contribution to the Musical Theatre.

 
About Casa Manana:

Now in its 48th year, Casa Mañana is a Fort Worth-based live theatre company that produces and presents shows at two distinct performance venues – Casa Mañana Theatre and the Bass Performance Hall. Casa Mañana combines the talent of award-winning directors, musicians and choreographers with outstanding professional actors from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Broadway to create self-produced musical theatre productions that are among the best in the nation. The large number and variety of shows presented annually, such as Broadway’s hottest national tours, Children’s Playhouse shows, critically-acclaimed plays and world premieres, makes Casa Mañana the largest performing arts organization in Tarrant County. Since Casa Mañana is also dedicated to the community and education, the company has several outreach programs and a nationally recognized children’s theatre school. Casa is truly unique in its ability to bring together the top musical theatre talents in the country for the audiences of North Texas to enjoy. Casa Mañana has again been recognized as the “Best Live Theater Company” by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Readers’ Poll and was also named in 2005 as “one of 10 great places to see a show off Broadway” by USA Today. As a performing arts organization, Casa Mañana strives to create, nurture and advance live professional theatre unparalleled in artistic excellence for the enrichment and education of its diverse community and its future generations of artists and patrons. Casa Mañana Theatre is located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District at the corner of West Lancaster and University. www.casamanana.org

Photo Peter James Zielinski

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