VIRTUAL KIDS COMPANY MASTER CLASS SERIES
Aspiring young performers 7 years and older are invited to register for a series of 8 Master Classes taught over Zoom video chat by professional artists who have performed on the Goodspeed stage, in NYC, and around the country. The Kids Company Master Class Series will provide one-of-a-kind live, online instruction in various styles of musical theatre dance, acting, and vocal performance, in which students will learn new techniques, receive individualized feedback from our faculty, and hone their skills in a supportive environment.
REGISTRATION
Classes are limited to six or eight students per Master Class, depending on the format of the class. All classes will have a wait list once full, and additional class sessions may be added.
- Registration Fee: $40 per student, per class
- Upon registration, students will receive a link via email to join the class, along with further instructions for participation.
CLASSES
The Virtual Master Class
Series will take place over Zoom, a popular video chat software program.
Students will be sent a link via email to join the class and will be held in a
virtual “waiting room” until the class time begins. Each Master Class will be
monitored by a member of Goodspeed’s Education Staff. For more information
about the virtual class format, as well as helpful tips to set students up for
success, please read the Virtual Master Class Safety & Security Tips at the
bottom of this page!
JULY 3, 2021
Acting the Song with EJ Zimmerman
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Singing is only half of a musical performance, and in this master class Ms. Zimmerman helps students transform into a character through lyric and musical analysis. Drawing on her background of playing rich and multi-dimensional characters such as Eponine in Les Miserables (Broadway), Nancy in Oliver! (Goodspeed), Christmas Eve in Avenue Q (National Tour), and Kim in Miss Saigon, she will guide students to their own unique interpretation of a character. This class will be conducted workshop-style, in which each student will present a song for the group and receive feedback from the instructor.
NOTE: Students in this class will be required to prepare a musical theatre song to work on with Ms. Zimmerman and should have a karaoke track of the song available to use during the class. If you need assistance finding an appropriate song or karaoke track, please contact Education Director Erin Coffey at ecoffey@goodspeed.org.
July 10, 2021
Conquering the Cold Read
with Brian Michael Hoffman
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
In this acting-focused
audition workshop, Mr. Hoffman will prepare students for cold readings –
performing a scene from a show with little or no preparation beforehand. He
will demystify this aspect of auditioning by teaching students techniques to
quickly analyze a character and make bold choices that will help them stand out
from the crowd.
BRIAN MICHAEL HOFFMAN Brian starred as “Horton”
in the Off-Broadway revival of Seussical and is thrilled to be a part of Goodspeed’s Master Class Series
after his time in East Haddam last summer as “Jiggs Thomas” in Because of Winn Dixie, a role he also played
in the Delaware Theatre Company and Alabama Shakespeare Festival productions.
Favorite regional credits include “Seymour” (Little Shop of Horrors), “Patsy” (Spamalot), “Sancho” (Man of La Mancha), “Billis” (South Pacific), “Barfee” (The 25th… Spelling Bee), “Uncle Fester” (The Addams Family), “The Cowardly Lion” (The Wizard of Oz), “Czolgosz” (Assassins), “Charlie Brown” (You’re a Good Man...), “Filch” (The Threepenny Opera) and “Mr. Grimes” (On Borrowed Time, directed by Joel Grey). A graduate of the Baltimore School for the
Arts and Syracuse University, Brian’s performed at theatres across the country
including Madison Square Garden, 54 Below, Sacramento Music Circus, the MUNY,
Maine State, Syracuse Stage, Marriott Lincolnshire, Ogunquit Playhouse,
Pioneer, Ivoryton, Two River, Lyric Oklahoma, and Pittsburgh CLO. He led a barbershop
quartet at Tokyo Disney Sea in Japan for 3 years, has performed in over 2,300
performances of ANNIE (some with Broadway’s original red-head, Andrea McArdle,
and in the 2014 movie!) and can be heard on the Seussical, Annie: 30th Anniversary, Annie 2 and The Dragonslayers cast recordings.
Broadway/WBTA: Legally Blonde, The Royal Family, Bullets Over Broadway, The Audience (starring Dame Helen
Mirren), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill (starring Audra McDonald), NBC’s Peter Pan Live & The Wiz Live, SNL, Sesame Street and HBO’s High Maintenance. www.brianmichaelhoffman.com
JULY 17, 2021
Vocal Performance with Cicily Daniels
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Broadway veteran Cicily Daniels brings her vocal performance expertise to young performers in this master class focused on vocal technique, communicating meaning through melody, and interpreting a musical theatre score. With her breadth of experience on Broadway in shows such as Once on this Island, The Little Mermaid, All Shook Up, and RENT, as well as many Broadway National Tours, she will help students find their own voice and showcase their vocal skills with musical theatre repertoire.
NOTE: Students in this class will be required to prepare a musical theatre song to work on with Ms. Daniels and should have a karaoke track of the song available to use during the class. If you need assistance finding an appropriate song or karaoke track, please contact Education Director Erin Coffey at ecoffey@goodspeed.org
July 24, 2021
Tap for Musical Theatre with Darien Crago
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Tap has been part of the musical theatre since it became popularly known as “tap dance” a hundred years ago. This master class will explore rhythm, style, and characterization to expand your tap dance horizons!
NOTE: This class will not focus primarily on technique or learning tap vocabulary. Experience with tap dance recommended.
JULY 31, 2021
Mastering the Musical Audition with Jake Swain
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
In
Mastering the Musical Audition, Jake Swain will help students dissect the many
elements that make up a successful musical audition - from selection choice to
physicality and musical interpretation - and use them to build a unique and
captivating audition. Fresh from Broadway’s run of Mean Girls in which he played Tyler
Kimball and understudied Aaron Samuels, Jake has also been seen on the
Goodspeed stage as Will Parker in Oklahoma! and Harvey Johnson in Bye Bye Birdie.
JAKE SWAIN (Mastering the Musical Audition) Broadway: Mean Girls (Tyler Kimble, u/s Aaron Samuels). Regional: Oklahoma! (Will Parker) and Bye Bye Birdie (Harvey Johnson) at Goodspeed Opera House. National Tour: Elf The Musical. BFA in Acting, BYU. TV: “Hysterical Women.” Film: Cosmos Sisters, Zombied, Now Again, Nosebleeds. www.jake-swain.com. IG: @jacobmonte
AUGUST 7, 2021
Ballet for Musical Theatre with Kelly Berman
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
From Agnes de Mille to Carousel revival choreographer 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, Kelly Berman
(Goodspeed: Oklahoma!, The Music Man, and upcoming South Pacific) teaches students how to tell a story with
ballet movement.
KELLY
BERMAN is beyond stoked to be back at the
magical Goodspeed (even virtually from NYC)! Kelly has been teaching dance
since she was 16 years old, ranging in styles such as theatre, ballet, tap,
jazz, and hip-hop. Since moving from her hometown of LA and graduating from the
Boston Conservatory, she has worked professionally in theatre around the
country. She was last seen here in Goodspeed’s production of The Music Man under the brilliant
direction of Jenn Thompson (Dance Captain, U/S Marian, Ensemble). Other credits
include Oklahoma! (Goodspeed), Cinderella (Papermill Playhouse) The Music Man (Muny), Holiday Inn (The Rev), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Ogunquit Playhouse).
She is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association and represented by Clear
Talent Group. Special thanks to Erin Coffey and the community at Goodspeed for
letting her be a part of this incredible program!
AUGUST 14, 2021
Acting with Authenticity with Matt Faucher
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
Acting with Authenticity focuses on preparing your performance as a character in a musical by using context clues to identify their objectives and tactics in a given moment and relating to the character honestly. Led by Matt Faucher, a Connecticut native, graduate of The Hartt School, and veteran of both Broadway and the Goodspeed’s stages, this master class is sure to help students develop rich and nuanced characters on stage.
NOTE: Students in this class will be required to perform a prepared piece. This piece should be a song or a monologue you know well and have memorized. Students in Level A will have the option to prepare a scene that will be sent with your registration confirmation.MATT FAUCHER was last seen at the Goodspeed Opera House as Jud Fry in OKLAHOMA! Winning the CT Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actor for his performance. A CT native, Matt considers Goodspeed Musicals his theatrical home. He is a graduate of The Hartt School with a BFA in Acting. Matt has taught all ages from young students to seasoned professionals, most notably, in the masterclass format whilst on the National Tour of Beautiful: The Carol King Musical.
Broadway: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical. National Tour: Beautiful. Off – Broadway: The Threepenny Opera (Macheath, Drama Desk nomination), I Am Harvey Milk at Avery Fisher Hall, Chekhov Dreams (Eddie). Regional: The Muny, Goodspeed Musicals, Paper Mill Playhouse, Hartford Stage, Asolo Rep, Northern Stage, Olney Theatre Center, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Flat Rock Playhouse and The Monomoy Theatre. TV: FBI: Most Wanted- CBS. Love to Brit. Follow: @the_fauch, mattfaucheractor.com.
AUG 21, 2021
Dances of Mean Girls with Brittany Nicholas
Level A: ages 7-12 | 1:30pm-2:30pm
Level B: ages 13-18 | 3:00pm-4:00pm
From Broadway straight into your home! Learn one of Broadway choreographer Casey Nicholaw’s dances from a member of the original cast of Mean Girls in this exciting new master class. Last seen on the Goodspeed stage as Alice in Bye Bye Birdie, Brittany Nicholas has performed on Broadway (Mean Girls, Billy Elliot), National Tours, and in regional theaters across the country. This fast-paced, unique movement style will keep students on their toes!
VIRTUAL MASTER CLASS SAFETY & SECURITY TIPS
- Before your class begins, be sure to set up your device so that the instructor can see you! If you are taking a dance class, make sure that your entire body is visible in the frame.
- Wear clothes that allow you to move freely, and be sure to keep a water bottle nearby.
- Choose a clearly lit area of your home with minimal background noise. Headphones may help with potential sound issues, including background noise, if available to the student.
- These Virtual Master Classes are password protected. Only students taking the class will be admitted to the meeting. Please do not share meeting invitations outside of your household.
- When joining the class, students will need to provide a Meeting ID name. Be sure to provide the name used on your registration form, otherwise you will not be able to join the Master Class.
- Listen to your body! If something doesn’t feel right, stop and ask your instructor for help. Because they can’t be in the room with you, it’s important that you ask questions to ensure safe participation.
- If you are taking a dance
class, we recommend:
- dancing on a smooth-surface floor;
- clearing your dance space of furniture or any small objects that may create a trip hazard;
- and wearing appropriate dance shoes if possible. Students taking Tap for Musical Theatre are encouraged to wear tap shoes if they have a tap board or other surface (like plywood) that can be scraped and scuffed. Otherwise, a flat-soled sneaker or dress shoe on a smooth-surface floor will also work for the purposes of this class.
REFUND POLICY
Students who withdraw more than 2 weeks prior to the class are eligible for a full refund, excluding processing fees. Those who withdraw with at least 48 hours notice will receive a 50% refund, excluding processing fees. Withdrawals within 48 hours of the first class are not eligible for refunds.
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