[NEohioPAL] BLOG & PICTURES from HBTI - Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute!

Tue Jun 17 11:18:42 PDT 2014

That old familiar excitement has started!  Year Two at Hathaway Brown
Theatre Institute is officially underway.  Session One of classes has begun
and two of our shows, *Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*
and *You're
A Good Man, Charlie Brown*, are already in rehearsal.  *A Chorus Line* is
set to start next week.

I love the first few days—there are so many sights and sounds.  There's the
energetic buzz of students in the hallways as they move from class to
class.  Within the rooms, there are those fantastic, attentive faces and
those minds like sponges, so eager to soak up new experiences and
knowledge.  All are brimming with energy as they meet their fellow
classmates and cast mates for the first time, starting new friendships and
work partnerships.  They meet their instructors and begin to understand
just how much work—and growth—is ahead of them in the weeks to come, and
it's a testament to the quality of our students that they rise to meet
these challenges with vigor.  At rehearsals, there's the great camaraderie
of working with top-notch directors, musical directors, choreographers and
support staff, and knowing they are giving their all to creating memorable
pieces of theatre.

There will be many more wonderful moments as we move forward.  Nothing is
better than watching a student make an acting breakthrough, or realize they
can do more than they ever thought possible as a dancer or singer.
Precious to me also are the excellent performances that evolve in the
shows, and seeing the pride our students develop in their productions.
It's fantastic in a different way to see how hard the parents of HBTI
students work to help their kids:  going the extra mile to make schedules
work, volunteering when needed, and yes, the ever-important chauffeuring!
It's truly inspiring to see a new generation of performers get such
committed support from their parents.

Many of my staff have already expressed how impressed they are.  Yesterday,
"Charlie Brown" director Michael Dempsey said how thrilled he is already
with his cast after only a few days of rehearsal, and his stage manager,
James Jones, added: "These students are on a whole other level from some of
the other places I've worked."  Hearing something like that just puts a
huge grin on my face, every time!

But perhaps the most gratifying experience will come a long time after the
classroom lights are turned off, after that final curtain call.  It's when
our alumni express how our program has impacted their lives down the road.
Maybe it helped their self-discipline, confidence and life skills.  Maybe
it expanded their horizons, or just gave them an experience they cherish.
There will be those who move on to professional careers on Broadway, in
regional theatre, television and film.  We at HBTI know that all the hard
work (and yes, occasional craziness!) has been worth it when one of us gets
a note that says, “Thank you–your program gave me the skills I needed to
get where I am.”

Many great memories will be forged in the weeks ahead.  It's an honor to
lead, instruct and direct this bunch of young talents.  So thank you, and
let's get cracking!

Join us for Session Two or Three - info here!
<http://www.hb.edu/page.cfm?p=1899>

Here are some pictures taken this morning
<https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152529370798894.1073741852.504158893&type=1&l=a05272cbf4>
.

-- 
Fred Sternfeld, Executive Artistic Director - Hathaway Brown Theatre
Institute <http://www.hb.edu/page.cfm?p=1899>
personal website: http://www.fredsternfeld.com
216-360-0718-home
216-496-6087-cell

 <http://www.hb.edu/>

* <http://www.facebook.com/HathawayBrownSchool>
<http://twitter.com/#!/hathawaybrown>  <http://www.hb.edu/cf_news/rss.cfm>
<http://www.hb.edu/page.cfm?p=4099>  Hathaway Brown School *19600 North
Park Boulevard Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122
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