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Paul Gemignani, Broadway's preeminent musical director, will teach a master class to a select group of talented South Florida students on Tuesday, December 8, from 9am to noon at Palm Beach Dramaworks. Gemignani will work one-on- one with each of the participants on material they've selected and prepared. Following the class, he will launch the third season of Dramalogue, sitting down for interviews on PBD's main stage at 2pm and 7pm to discuss his illustrious career.
"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work with aspiring musical theatre artists," says Gemignani. "For me, the most important aspect of a master class is that these students get to work with someone who's been in the trenches, who can give them the kind of information they need if they decide to pursue a career. Very often, kids starting out have no idea what to expect, no idea how to navigate, say, an open call. So in addition to working with each student individually on his or her music, I always take the time to talk to them as a group and give them practical advice. And I welcome other students to observe, as I think it's a great learning experience for them as well."
Craig Ames, who will serve as pianist for the master class, has coordinated the event and will offer a private rehearsal session to each student a few weeks before they appear before the maestro.
The students are Joseph Anarumo (Florida Atlantic University), Madison Spears (FAU), Tali Green (Oxbridge Academy), Charlie Alguera (Dreyfoos School of the Arts), Skyler Sajewski (DSOA), and Jenna Myers (home schooled). In addition, family members, teachers, and other musical theatre students will be invited to observe.
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Paul Gemignani has been the musical director/conductor for more than 45 productions on Broadway and the West End, including Follies, Pacific Overtures, Candide, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Evita, Sunday in the Park with George, Dreamgirls, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods, On the Twentieth Century, Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Crazy For You, Passion, High Society, Kiss Me, Kate, Assassins, The Frogs, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Later this season, he will be the musical director for the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of She Loves Me.
Gemignani won a 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for his work on the
Great Performances'
broadcast of
South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
. In 1989, he was honored with a special Drama Desk Award for "consistently outstanding musical direction and commitment to the theatre," and in 1985 the Drama League of New York recognized him with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre Award. In 2001, Gemignani was the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award.
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Palm Beach Dramaworks is a non-profit, professional theatre and is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the South Florida Theatre League, Florida Professional Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.
The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, at 201 Clematis Street. For ticket information contact the box office at (561) 514-4042, or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.
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Related Links: palmbeachdramaworks.org |
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