2008 Woodie Awards
Musical theater majors land roles in national tours
Parice Grant
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: News
Several members of the musical theater department recently toured nationwide in various productions. In a press release from the musical theater department, associate professor and director of the musical theater program Amy Rogers said, "We are very pleased that so many of our students have been chosen for these shows. The musical theater program is a thriving and expanding part of the University community. The theater department has had several amazing on-campus productions [and] continues to gain momentum with each year."
Rogers continued, "We wish them the best of luck and look forward to their return to Pace when their tours are through."
The students involved in the tours will be taking time off from the academic year to take in the valuable acting experience from the road. This time off is not a break from work for the students, as the auditioning process is grueling.
According to the release, Rogers started the University's BFA musical theater program in 2002 at the age of 24.
Senior Abbey Stevens was offered the role of Grace Farrell in the Broadway classic, "Annie."
"Initially, I was auditioning for the experience of auditioning. It's great going to school for musical theater in New York because you have the opportunity to take auditions while you're still in school," Stevens said.
Stevens called the role of Farrell "perfect for her" and said it was a role she always wanted to play. "I sang for the director, producer and the composer," Stevens said.
But the process was also a nerve-wracking one. "When I started getting callbacks, I thought, 'Wow, I actually might get this,'" Stevens said. "My mom keeps saying 'Abbey, wow, you're a working actress.'"
In addition to multiple auditions and callbacks, the rehearsal and tour preparation takes an abundance of time. "We started rehearsal in late August in New York for two weeks. Next, we went to Owensborough, Kentucky for costumes and set. The tour started in September in Orlando, Florida," Stevens said. Currently, Stevens is still participating in the tour and the "Annie" Web site displays Stevens' headshot.
Rogers continued, "We wish them the best of luck and look forward to their return to Pace when their tours are through."
The students involved in the tours will be taking time off from the academic year to take in the valuable acting experience from the road. This time off is not a break from work for the students, as the auditioning process is grueling.
According to the release, Rogers started the University's BFA musical theater program in 2002 at the age of 24.
Senior Abbey Stevens was offered the role of Grace Farrell in the Broadway classic, "Annie."
"Initially, I was auditioning for the experience of auditioning. It's great going to school for musical theater in New York because you have the opportunity to take auditions while you're still in school," Stevens said.
Stevens called the role of Farrell "perfect for her" and said it was a role she always wanted to play. "I sang for the director, producer and the composer," Stevens said.
But the process was also a nerve-wracking one. "When I started getting callbacks, I thought, 'Wow, I actually might get this,'" Stevens said. "My mom keeps saying 'Abbey, wow, you're a working actress.'"
In addition to multiple auditions and callbacks, the rehearsal and tour preparation takes an abundance of time. "We started rehearsal in late August in New York for two weeks. Next, we went to Owensborough, Kentucky for costumes and set. The tour started in September in Orlando, Florida," Stevens said. Currently, Stevens is still participating in the tour and the "Annie" Web site displays Stevens' headshot.
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