The Plaza Arts Center and The Arts Barn produce “Godspell” as part of the Broadway Intensive Summer Program.
“With the Broadway Intensive, we create a space where youth and young adults have an opportunity to work with others who have the same passion for and interest in theatre while receiving direction from an incredible, creative team of a professional caliber,” said Lora Garcia-Carreras, founder of The Arts Barn.
The Broadway Intensive program was introduced last year to help local talent put together a production in two weeks’ time with the help of a professional Broadway star or veteran.
The program is hosted through a partnership between The Arts Barn and The Plaza Arts Center and welcomes talented youth, ages 15 through 25, to the stage to perform.
“With this being the second year of the intensive, we are continuing to learn how best to work together creatively,” said Garcia-Carreras. “Since last year’s intensive, we have received great support from local and surrounding high schools, which has allowed us to connect with many talented new team members.”
This year, the program will unveil a production of “Godspell” with Broadway veteran, guest director and choreographer Henry Scott.
Scott is acting as the director for this production and was previously in the pre-Broadway and Broadway productions of “Grease.” His national tours include: “Bye, Bye Birdie,” starring Tommy Tune and Ann Reinking, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “George M!” starring Joel Grey, and “Brigadoon.” He was also cast in the European tour of “West Side Story,” as well as directing and choreographing numerous shows around the country.
“I’m all about developing curriculum and multigenerational engagement,” said Scott. “These young people are so excited to put on Godspell and are excited to explore the arts. I am excited to offer The Plaza more programming that is vital.”
The production of “Godspell” is a musical split into parables that are primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew. The musical has a religious theme to it with Jesus Christ being one of the main characters of the musical. All the music is primarily set to lyrics of traditional hymns.
“The cast is very talented,” said Scott. “The work we have done has allowed them to find their confidence, open to the fullness of their talent and be in a supportive group.”
The cast members who are a part of the show run through the production vigorously with practices every day until the show’s opening week.
They play a part on set, acting, singing and mentoring one another to ensure that the production of the year comes to fruition.
“My directing is all about group initiative and group building,” said Scott. “In one beautiful word, they rise into their greatness each day.”
Charles McGregor is an upcoming senior at Putnam County High School who is a part of the cast. Through this production, he has found confidence and a support group.
He was a part of the Broadway Intensive Program last year and decided to return this year to grow his talent even further.
“This program is a different environment than my public school,” said McGregor. “This is an environment where people care and want to be here. In school, people can be there for so many different reasons…the learning process gets hindered.”
Through this program, McGregor expressed that he has learned a lot about introspective ways of thinking about a character, how to deliver lines, and develop a scene.
He expressed that he appreciates the professional environment and the increased difficulty of preparing for the show.
“You’re in a professional environment. He (the director) is much more focused on why things are happening in the show... and it helps everything just move a bit smoother. It’s a wonderful experience,” said McGregor.
Another cast member, Peaches Mitchell also expressed learning a lot from preparing for “Godspell.”
Peaches is a young adult who joined the production after a recommendation from her co-workers at The Plaza.
“The Broadway Intensive Program has NY CRO taught me that I can sing opera and it’s amazing to see how my voice can transform,” said Mitchell. “This is a fast process, and everything moves like a zip line…so we’re learning about teamwork and togetherness.”
Mitchell described the preparation process as a zipline. Being accepted into the program is frightening but exciting and once the preparations start, they’re zipping through to the opening night.
Lily Roberts is another actress in the program. She is an upcoming senior at Putnam County High School and is considered a swing cast member.
According to Roberts, a swing is a person who fills in for anyone on the cast if something happens.
She is learning all the songs and all the lines to ensure the small cast always has a backup.
“This program gave me a new perspective on different kinds of directors and how they teach,” Roberts explained. “The most beneficial part of this program is the experience and the diversity. Being able to work in different areas, with different people and under a professional is the most beneficial part.”
All of the cast working to put on this production are learning values of hard work, teamwork and getting first-hand experience of what Broadway and the professional theater world are like.
“Godspell” opens live at The Plaza on June 23. Visit The Plaza’s Facebook page to buy tickets.