Excellence - Wyoming Seminary

Musical TheaterThe goals of PAI’s Musical Theater Programare to develop each student’s full potentialand talent, cultivate joy in the processand stimulate creativity beyond anypreconceived limitations. Individual growthleads to the success of a production andthus, it is our highest priority.Four elements distinguish PAI’s MusicalTheater Program:Professional EnvironmentThe venue for this season’s musicalproduction will be the 2,000-seat F.M.Kirby Center for the Performing Arts,Northeastern Pa.’s most prestigiousprofessional theater. Students will workwith experienced union stagehands anda professional pit orchestra in the newlyrenovated Art Deco Broadway roadhouse. Inaddition, each season students will have theopportunity to work in the musical theaterproduction with a professional who is highlysuccessful in the field. Veteran Broadwayactor T. Doyle Leverett joined PAI in 2011to play the role of Senex in our productionof A Funny Thing Happened on the Way tothe Forum. His talent, training and years ofexperience were an invaluable source ofinspiration and education.A Solid FoundationAll musical theater students must developtheir vocal skills in Institute Chorus andBasic Musicianship class, both of whichare designed to strengthen proper vocalproduction and technique. Because sightsingingskills are essential to the musicaltheater profession, they are emphasized inensembles and classes. Students also attendextensive theater-arts masterclasses.Broadway actress and choreographer EllieMooney presented masterclasses focusingon Cabaret singing and movement, physicalcomedy and audition techniques.Tony Award Nominee Forrest McClendonalso gave workshops in movement,character development and acting-whilesinging.McClendon recently made hisBroadway debut as Mr. Tambo in the newKander-Ebb musical “The Scottsboro Boys”at NYC’s Lyceum Theater.LeadershipWilliam Roudebush, director of PAI’s MusicalTheater Program, brings 40 years ofteaching and directing experience to PAIwhere he collaborates with his students andprofessional staff.Commitment to EnsembleCasting limitations do not allow for allstudents to receive major roles in the PAIproduction. Great care is taken in selectinga specific show that provides eachperformer with important opportunitiesto contribute to the lifeblood of theensemble. We believe that the power of theensemble is the most effective frameworkfor individual growth. Students not cast inleading or supporting roles will be featuredperformers in an exciting, fully-producedcabaret-style production.In previous seasons, PAI productions haveincluded Cabaret, Les Miserables, Into theWoods, Dear World, The Mystery of EdwinDrood, Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story,The Threepenny Opera, Oliver!, Fiddler onthe Roof, Gypsy, Two Gentlemen of Verona,and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way tothe Forum.Even though I expected thetalent level at PAI would behigh, the performance standardstook me totally by surprise.I enjoyed the intensity ofworking in depth with so manyother serious students. Weall loved to see the amazementon people’s faces when theyattended a concert and heardwhat we accomplished in justone week. PAI’s productionof “Gypsy” really stunnedpeople, too, because it was soprofessional. I’m in touch withmany of the friends I made thissummer and we still talk aboutthe energy and excitement thatwas always present at PAI.Keland SarnoLas Vegas, Nev.June 24 – August 56-Week, Day$2,2256-Week, Boarding$5,600Learn about residential life, listen to PAI performances and apply atwyomingseminary.org/pai11