Youth stole the show along with the audience’s breath over the weekend as Gettysburg Community Theatre culminated its eight-week Musical Theatre Cabaret Class in “Broadway Rising” — an upbeat concert performed by students who helped design the cabaret.
Directed and accompanied by Jamie Bowman and GCT Executive Director Carrie Conklin, the evening spotlighted solos, duets, and ensemble performances of almost two dozen elementary through high school student vocalists.
The atmosphere entering the charming little theater on York Street pulsed with warmth and excitement. More than two dozen popular show tunes — with movement choreographed by Kate Sainer and projected backdrops designed by Randi Walker — would soon capture the full house completely. And from the moment the cast performed its opening number, “On Broadway” (from “Smokey Joe’s Café”), the evening flew as everyone attending enjoyed the opportunity to get to know and appreciate the talent and personality of every young performer.
Some familiar faces had appeared in full-scale productions at GCT (recently in “Matilda” and “Peter Pan, Jr.”), some were students from Miss Carrie (Conklin)’s Voice Studio. All had previous stage credits (see Broadway Rising Program), delivered fetching performances, and brought their unique personalities and often crystalline vocals to GCT’s stage.
The trained vocalists included: Owen Austin, Chase Bowman, Harper Coyle, Caroline Edwards, Calvin Faubel, Cooper Flores, Elsie Miller, Katie Myers, Hadley Petruzzelli, Imogen Peters, Brody Rummel, Avery Walker, Dexter Walker, and (from Miss Carrie’s Voice Studio) Max Carlson, Ikey Heaton, Emma Kirk, Caden Miller, Alayna Smith, Anna Strauss, Audrey Trax and Tessa Trax.
GCT’s Musical Theatre Cabaret Class is designed to pair movement with singing and to foster confidence in students performing solo and in group routines. Shining beneath the spotlight in front of a live audience (supported by Michael Connelly’s tech and Grayson Wallace’s sound) provided a wonderful opportunity for the kids and their families and friends to share the joy of musical theater and recognize the hard work and dedication of the kids and GCT staff.
Each of two sets opened and closed with full cast performances of “On Broadway” and “Best Day Ever” (from “The SpongeBob Musical”) in the first set; and “Revolting Children” (from “Matilda”) and “A Little More Homework” (from “13: The Musical”) in the second.
In between, solos interspersed with an occasional duet showcased the kids’ own favorite show tunes. Cheers, laughter, sentiment, tears and even a poignant shout out to graduating senior Alayna Smith (who performed “How Does a Moment Last Forever” from “Beauty and the Beast” beautifully) punctuated the sweet appeal of youth and created a simply lovely evening that would charm anyone who loves musical theater.
Under the leadership of Carrie Conklin and Lexi Connelly, GCT continues to offer a variety of community outreach in keeping with its stated mission to “…inspire creativity and confidence, promote cultural enrichment, and instill a love of the theatre arts in people of all ages and abilities through quality education and performance.”
GCT’s website also includes a quote from an anonymous 10-year-old, “The Theatre is a place where I feel like I’m free and I can sing my heart out. You can act, dance and sing. When I first started, I knew I was going to do it forever. I love the theater!”
For young kids, in-session and upcoming GCT mini-camps for ages K-2nd grade include its Storybook on Stage Mini-Camp, Disney’s Dare to Dream Mini-Camp, Performance Theatre Mini-Camp and a Young Wizards Theatre Academy Mini-Camp; as well as a Kids Dance Class Series including Miss Kate’s KIDS Summer Dance Series (Mondays 6-7 p.m.), and Miss Holly’s KIDS Summer Dance Series (Wednesdays 6-7 p.m.).
For 3rd–12th graders, in-session and upcoming camps include the “Yes, And!” Improv Camp; Dare to Dream: Performance Intensive (three sessions); and Broadway Bootcamp. For information about all summer programs for kids and registration information, see Summer Camps.
The “stars” of last weekend’s Broadway Rising stand on the verge of exciting new experiences — some will progress to middle or high school, at least one will enter adulthood. Some may aspire to Broadway (so watch for them!), others may appear in upcoming GCT productions (so watch for them!).
“Broadway Rising” not only highlighted the beauty of youth in the arts, it shone a light on Gettysburg’s little theater on York Street as a warm and safe space for the arts to thrive in a small town and its surrounding communities.
For more information about upcoming performances by all ages and the many exciting opportunities for anyone to get involved at the theater, see Gettysburg Community Theatre.
