The sights and sounds of musical theatre were on display as the students who participated in Reinhardt’s Musical Theatre Intensive program performed for a full crowd – live and in person! The Intensive day camp took place July 12-24 with sessions on vocal coaching, acting and movement, and masterclasses ending with in-person performances. The program invites high school students between grades 8-12 to learn from Reinhardt’s faculty and professionals but the students gain so much more.
“We see students grow beyond their theatrical skills,” says Brian Osborne, musical director and assistant professor of music. “You can see their confidence building over the two weeks. It helps them in their daily lives beyond the stage – how they interact with others, public speaking – in so many ways.”
During the camp, one of the more unusual classes involved theatrical combat taught by new faculty member, Professor Austin Harleson. Theatrical combat teaches the students how, as an actor, to be part of a fight scene. According to one student, the students embraced the lessons – “it was strange at first but so much fun.”
“The outstanding Reinhardt faculty offered instruction in a variety of disciplines,” explains Osborne. “Reinhardt students also embraced this learning environment bringing their talents to the program.”
- Rebecca Salter, Dr. Reverie Berger and Professor Pedro Carreras taught voice
- Rachel Eve Holmes directed “Children of Eden Jr.” and taught classes
- Professor Austin Harleson taught combat and movement and directed the Song Cabaret
- Melanie Williams and Kimberly Markham accompanied all the lessons
- Dave Nisbet taught voice for the actor
- Reinhardt students: NiNi Hutcherson, Chase Sumner, Nick DiPuma, Anna Snider and Mackensie Eckenfels
The community surrounding Reinhardt continues to support this program through generous giving and they look forward to seeing the productions that end the Intensive. This year’s programs were a Song Cabaret and “Children of Eden, Jr.”
The Song Cabaret was based on Alanis Morissette’s Broadway Musical “Jagged Little Pill” with a COVID twist.
“It can be a lot to learn coordinating your place on stage, timing, singing and creating a believable moment,” explains Osborne. “The Song Cabaret brings to life how we are all feeling in our Teams and Zoom pandemic world by creating a ‘pandemic survivor group’ at the center of the Cabaret. It gave the performers a way to bring a current topic to the stage and use their personal experiences to the roles.”
Throughout the Cabaret, students shared the ironic events that happened to them such as, “finally getting the lead in your high school musical only to have it canceled!”
The Reinhardt faculty were overjoyed with the Intensive after last year’s virtual camp.
“We were so excited to see so many students this year,” shared Osborne. “It was hard to know the response after last year, but these students have given their all to this program – this was such a great group!”
