MT Junior/Senior NYC Immersion
Professional Development for MT Juniors and Seniors
Juniors and Seniors in the Musical Theatre Major spend spring break in New York City, participating in workshops and master classes with New York City based artists, exploring industry-related businesses, and seeing shows. One of the highlights is working with Geneseo alumni employed in musical theatre and related professions. The week culminates with the seniors' showcase.
Kate Navin, Geneseo class of 2002, Artistic Producer of Audible Theater and formerly with the Gersh Agency, hosted us at Minetta Lane Theatre on our first day in New York City. Kate graciously helped us to coordinate our first externship and senior showcase week and donated space for us to work.
Our next stop was a voice and speech master class with Broadway's Gloria Biegler; thank you Gloria!
That evening most of our group shadowed backstage or watched Jersey Boys, thanks to Geneseo alumna Julie Thiry- Couvillion. Our group is pictured with Aaron De Jesus (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys).
Geneseo alumnus Michael Radi invited us to workshop his new musical, The King's Legacy, which will have its first production at Bristol Valley Theatre in Naples in August 2019. We look forward to seeing the full work on its feet!
Alumnus and tap dancer extraordinaire Alex MacDonald, who works with Post Modern Jukebox, hosted us for a tap master class at the American Tap Dance Foundation on Christopher St.
Merete Muenter, assistant choreographer on the Yiddish Fiddler on the Roof, Off-Broadway in 2018, gave Geneseo students a jazz master class on the famous Michael Bennett choreography that opens A Chorus Line, at Ripley Grier Studios. Merete is also a SUNY Geneseo alumna.
Danny Stanton, Equity monitor, joined Merete to talk with students about audition and other industry practices in New York City.
Wednesday was the seniors' showcase rehearsal at Playwrights Horizons.
Sue Ferziger, class of 1996, Associate Director of Campaign and Institutional giving at Playwrights Horizons, brought her coworkers from general management, casting, business, marketing, development and internships to speak with students. Students were grateful for the perspective on the many careers possible in not-for-profit theatre; thank you Sue and Playwrights Horizons colleagues!
That afternoon students toured SpotCo, the largest Broadway marketing company, thanks to alumni Kristen Rathbun, VP for Partnerships, and Tom Coppola, Executive Producer. Some of our students double major in Communications and saw career possibilities in joining their majors.
Rounding out a busy day, Broadway's Ellyn Marie Marsh (Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman) led a master class for juniors on musical theatre audition material.
Thursday, March 21, was the seniors' showcase, at 11 and 2, at Playwrights Horizons in the Matthew A Rosen Rehearsal Studio, followed by a social at Hurley's on West 48th St, where we were joined by other alumni, families, and friends.
In addition, students bonded in their Jersey City apartment, navigated their way through Manhattan, and saw more shows. Both juniors and seniors had an unforgettable experience and broadened their knowledge of New York City's musical theatre scene as an art and a business, while making valuable alumni and other industry contacts. Juniors can't wait to go back next year for their showcase!