I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting one of my heroes this summer as part of the Broadway Teachers Workshop program- Ms. Chita Rivera!! The week long session featured over a dozen working professionals from Broadway’s theatrical world teaching sessions in playwriting to puppetry, music direction to making shows remotely.
The outstanding line-up of guest speakers included the incredible Patti Lupone, Billy Porter Stephen Schwartz and the one and only Chita Rivera. In my 3 minute online visit with her, we discussed fitness regimes, her ballet training and her adoration for Brent Carver (who recently passed away), her leading man in Kiss of the Spider Woman.I was thrilled to have had the chance to meet, albeit virtually, and will continue to follow in those glorious dancer footsteps.
Winnipeg Studio Theatre is proud to present the first Made in Manitoba virtual Masterclass series – Musical Theatre Edition!
Under the direction of Brenda Gorlick and Kayla Gordon, WST Co-directors – this twelve-session program features top musical theatre artists from Manitoba who now perform and create for the world stage.
The roster includes artists Andrea Macasaet – newly-minted Broadway star of Six the Musical, Nyk Bielak – Lead performer in the Australian company of Book of Mormon, current Associate Artistic Director of Shaw Festival – Kimberley Rampersad, Mary Antonini, Jaz Sealey and Alexandra Frohlinger of Broadway shows – The Prom, Aladdin and Hello Dolly respectively, stage and screen actor – Markian Tarasiuk, Music Director at Sheridan College – Joseph Tritt, Joshua LeClair, fresh from the Matilda world tour, Kathleen Moore from the “Oz” company of Come From Away, Samantha Jeanne Hill of Broadway’s Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera and seasoned veteran of Broadway, Vegas and Guthrie stages – Andrea Mislan
Brenda Gorlick, who created this project articulates: “Winnipeg Studio Theatre is offering an incredible interactive experience in a digitalized setting for all ages, which has never been done before. The quality of the ‘Made in Manitoba’ faculty is stellar, and we are so proud and excited to have them back leading 12 workshops spanning all areas of theatre training”.
It is with great sadness that we have decided to cancel our StudioWorks production of Frozen Jr. Our entire cast and artistic team has done such wonderful work and invested much time and effort in the preparation of the production. Although we have come to the conclusion that we must “Let it Go” we have created a very special tribute video of one of our beautiful songs – “I Can’t Lose You”.
Thx to Allie Omichinski and Danika Burdeniuk for bringing this song to life and to Myles Burdeniuk for capturing it on video.
And of course, our amazing accompanist Trish Franklin created the piano track….
Composers: Kristen and Robert Lopez
Brenda is proud of her work with Creative Manitoba’s Careers in the Arts youth and young adult mentorship programs. These programs provide opportunities for youth and young adults to be exposed to careers in arts and culture. Participants are mentored by someone working in an arts or cultural career through group workshops, individual consultation, volunteer work experience and participation in career development workshops.
