THE MASTERS and their CLASSES

All Masterclasses are included in your package.
We encourage you to get to know the faculty at as many programs as you can!
Online SignUps will be available closer to the event.
There will be a variety of masterclasses for the Virtual Weekend Posted Soon as well.

Norwalk Conservatory - Danny George & Fred Feeney

"Where Do I Fit In?"

Do you know what your "type" is? No one wants to be put in a box - but using "type" to your advantage can be a powerful tool in the audition room! Danny Loftus George, NoCo Acting Department Head, and Fred Feeney, NoCo Music Department Head, will take students through their "type" when it comes to what roles they should be auditioning for, choosing audition materials, and more! Students should bring their rep books.

Florida International University

Stephannie Moore

Mindfulness/Performance Anxiety Master Class

Dr. Stephannie Moore holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance degree from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Miami.

Stephannie's teaching career spans more than two decades, specializing in Musical Theatre and Classical Voice. A sought-after audition and performance coach, her students perform on stages across the US and abroad and many of them are award-winning professional singers and emerging artists. She is currently the Area Coordinator of Musical Theatre at Florida International University's Wertheim School of Music and Performing Arts, launching their new BM and MM programs in Musical Theatre. In addition, Stephannie has a private voice studio in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where she works with a select number of dedicated performers.

Shenandoah ACTING

Scott Hudson

The Fundamentals of Acting - A experience of Shenandoah Conservatory's values of Acting.

Scott Hudson, Director of Acting at Shenandoah, is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist and educator specializing in the Meisner Technique. He apprenticed as an instructor under master teacher, Maggie Flanigan at her studio in New York City where he was an associate of six years. His teaching methods also include the works of Michael Chekhov and Joseph Campbell. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre from Florida State University, and a Master of Fine Arts in acting from Rutgers University, under the direction of William Esper.

While an actor in New York, Hudson originated roles in Stephen Adly Guirgis’s “Our Lady of 121st Street,” directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman at Union Square Theatre, Julia Chow’s “BFE,” directed by Gordon Edelstein at Playwrights Horizons and Robert Glaudini’s “Dutch Heart of Man” directed by Charles Goforth at The Public. He has performed at The Long Wharf Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse.

As a director, he originated the production of John Patrick Shanley’s short one act, “Banshee,” at The New Ohio Theatre, and Stephen Adly Guirgis’s first public workshop reading of “Between Riverside and Crazy” with the original cast of the Pulitzer Prize-winning script. He has directed several original plays as a collegiate collaborator with The Farm Theater. He enjoys performing and directing the classics of Shakespeare, Moliere and great American dramas.

Michael Campayno
Pittsburgh native & Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Grad

How to Nail an Audition
Acting through song & Acting a monologue

Michael Campayno is an American actor and singer best known for playing Fiyero in Wicked and Rob Camilletti in The Cher Show on Broadway. While still attending Carnegie Mellon University, Campayno was cast as Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music Live! starring Carrie Underwood. After graduating and completing The Sound of Music, Campayno went on to portray Fiyero on Broadway in Wicked. After a successful run in the World Premiere of The Cher Show in Chicago, he went on to originate his role, Rob Camiletti, on Broadway.

Eastern University
Perry Brisbon

Grow where you are Planted : The immediate values of smaller vs. larger institutions.

Mr. Brisbon has enjoyed both national and international success as an Operatic Tenor. He has performed such roles as Tamino in “Die Zauberflote”, Hoffmann in “Tales of Hoffmann”, Sportin’ Life in “Porgy and Bess”, Tchekalinsky in “Pique Dame” Joe in “Carmen Jones”, and Zoogy in “Romulus Hunt”. Mr. Brisbon has made appearances with Orlando Opera Company, Edmonton Opera (Alberta Canada), Opera Ebony/Opera North, The Metropolitan Opera Guild, The Kennedy Center, Lake George Opera Festival, the Bienale Festival of Munich, Germany, as well as Ashlawn Opera Festival. Equally comfortable in recital and oratorio, he has appeared as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the South New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the Lancaster Symphony among others.

Honors include: Winner of the Luciano Pavarotti/Opera Company of Philadelphia International Voice Competition, recipient of the Richard Gold Memorial Award of the Shoshona Foundation, winner of the National Society of Arts and Letter Award, Mid. Atlantic Region, Twice winner of the Mario Lanza Competition, recipient of the Licia Albanese-Puccini Grant, recipient of the Philadelphia Music Foundation Grant, and winner of the W. Russell Johnson award. Most recently, Mr. Brisbon has been featured in the acclaimed book by author, Elaine Mack: Black Classical Musicians of Philadelphia. Perry Brisbon attended the Curtis Institute of Music where he received the Master’s of Opera degree.

He completed his B.A. in Vocal Performance from Temple University via Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Brother Brisbon is an Associate Minister of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church where the Reverend Dr. Albert F. Campbell is Pastor. He is also the director of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Male Chorus; a position he has held for the past 6 years. In addition, he is Adjunct Professor at Drexel University and Cabrini College as well as a vocal instructor at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory of Music and Settlement Music School.

Slippery Rock University
Aaron Galligan-Stierle

Bring Yourself to your Auditions: But Aren't I already myself?

Aaron Galligan-Stierle's Workshop: "Bring Yourself to your Auditions: But Aren't I already myself?" Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Head of MT at Slippery Rock University and Broadway actor) will breakdown the concept that we hear over and over for college auditions: "Just Be Yourself." He will offer tips and tricks for what that really means and how to share your authentic truth and artistry in your college auditions. Students should have EITHER a short song with tracks or monologue to work on in the workshop.

Ball State -
Beverly Jane Bautista

Jazz Funk Dance Masterclass

Beverly Bautista is a dance artist, university educator, choreographer, and co-owner of Dance Education Equity Association. She received a bachelor's degree from Ball State University and a masters of fine arts from the University of California-Irvine. Drawing from her years of experience in the entertainment hub of Los Angeles, Beverly has also had the privilege to work on projects with Disney, Pepsi, the Billboard Music Awards, Lip Sync Battle, and iHeart Radio to name a few. With her extensive dance education and industry experience, she aims to foster the connection between dance academia students and the entertainment industry.

Continuously driven by her unwavering dedication to the dance community, Beverly remains an ardent advocate for fellow choreographers as a Choreographers Guild Advisory Member, striving to cultivate a sense of unity within the collective dance industry. In the dynamic world of dance, Beverly stands as a beacon of creativity, professionalism, and transformative artistry, inspiring generations to push boundaries and reach new heights.

Cornish - Richard Gray

How to Workshop New Works

Richard Gray, a true multi-hyphenate in the realm of musical theatre, stood as one of five finalists for the coveted Fred Ebb Award in both 2005 and 2006, an accolade that honors emerging musical theatre writers. He holds notable collaborations with icons like Martin Charnin, resulting in celebrated productions such as "Love Is Love" which graced stages at the Village Theatre in Issaquah, Wash., and the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Fla. Several of Richard's musical scores, including "Time Again in Oz," "Little Rock," and "Lyle the Crocodile," debuted at the Seattle Children's Theatre and have since found homes in theatres nationwide. "Cold Turkey," a piece that showcased his prowess as he penned the book, music, and lyrics, was highlighted at the 2004 Village Theatre's Festival of New Musicals and later workshopped there in 2006. Richard's revue, "Forbidden Xmas," became an iconic part of Seattle's festive season, running from 1991 to 2007 and gracing stages such as the Cabaret de Paris and Tacoma Actors' Guild. His rich portfolio includes other noteworthy scores like "The Flea and the Professor," which earned the 2010 Barrymore Award for Best Musical, and pieces like "The Mom & Pop Show!," "The Donk Sisters," "It Happened at the World's Fair," "Northwest Bookshelf," and "You Saw It on TV."

His auditory signature can also be heard in recordings like Susannah Mars' CD "Call It Home: The Music of Richard Gray" and a track on "Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols For a Cure" (2008). Recently, Richard embarked on fresh projects, partnering with luminaries like Charles Way for "The Light Princess" and Andrew Russell for "The Fourth Estate." Before becoming a full time Theater Department faculty member at Cornish College of the Arts in 2019, he was at the helm of their Summer@Cornish Musical Theatre Intensive for three years. His directorial prowess is evident in numerous Cornish musicals, including "Nine," "Quilters," "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," "Grand Hotel," "Lift," "Company," "Dick Whittington", and "Head Over Heels". Beyond Cornish, he has directed productions at renowned venues like the Village Theatre, 5th Avenue Theatre, Tacoma Actors’ Guild, and the Empty Space Theatre. His multifaceted skills extend to musical direction and conducting, with over 60 productions in the Seattle area under his belt. As an actor, he has garnered significant acclaim, receiving three Gregory Award nominations and clinching the award in 2017 for "Murder for Two." Richard's ingenuity continues to shine, with two of his musicals, "The Long Game" and "Cold Turkey," currently progressing through advanced developmental stages."

Nazareth University -Jeff Shade

confiDANCE MUSICAL THEATRE DANCE MASTER CLASS that focuses on learning and auditioning strategies, while engaged in warm-up....across the floor.....and a combination.

Mentored by Bob Fosse, Jeff Shade has danced on Broadway in Sweet Charity (directed and
choreographed by Mr. Fosse), Chicago (dance captain for Ann Reinking’s Tony Award
winning choreography) and Teddy & Alice. He has been a guest on the Rosie O'Donnell Show,
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Spoon Mountain Opera Special, HBO Christmas, The
Today Show, and numerous other TV specials. He has also been featured at Radio City Music
Hall and featured in Susan Stroman’s first national tour of Crazy for You.

His choreography has received critical acclaim, including a rave in Variety, a New York Musical
Theater Festival Best Choreography Award, and a Carbonell Award nomination for his
choreography of the world-premiere of Cagney. His choreography has been seen off-Broadway
(Atlantic Theater and Chelsea Playhouse), on American and Japanese television, and on stages
around the world.

He also has been on the faculty of Harvard University, the Boston Conservatory, Point Park University, Montclair State University, and Marymount Manhattan. He also teaches at Steps on Broadway, provides private coaching and lessons, and visits dance studios and colleges nationwide. He was formerly the head of dance for the Broadway Artists Alliance.He is the founder of House of the Roses dance-based outreach network, helping to build self-esteem and confidence in hundreds of New York City children who lack stable housing or are otherwise at risk.He enjoys teaching all levels of theater jazz, Fosse, tap, learning and auditioning strategies, and dance that just makes life better.His students are thriving on Broadway, national tours, off-Broadway, cruise lines, and in life!

Long Island University
Tina Mitchell

Physical Acting Masterclass

Tina Mitchell, head of physical theatre and movement will conduct an introduction to physical acting session. Tina is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at LIU Post and has taught at institutions such as Brown University, NYU, Atlantic Theater School and Boston Conservatory. She has trained extensively with Anne Bogart’s SITI Company and teaches The Suzuki Method of Actor Training, Viewpoints and Laban around the world. Her theater productions have been included in international theater festivals worldwide and she most recently performed in Simon McBurney’s production of Die Zauberflote at The Metropolitan Opera. More information can be found at www.tinacmitchell.com

Missouri State - Josh Young

Approaching the Piece - MT Song Analysis

Josh Young made his Broadway debut as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. He has appeared in The Grapes of Wrath, Evita and Kiss Me, Kate at Stratford, as well as a national tour of Les Miserables and an international tour of West Side Story. Regional highlights include A Little Night Music, A Chorus Line, Hairspray and Othello.

Josh is the co-founder of Cutting-Edge Composers, a concert and weekly web series on broadwayworld.com, created to give exposure to musical theatre’s next generation of songwriters.

Josh is Missouri's New Coordinator of Musical Theater coming from Oakland University where he led the musical theater program for the past four years and was the 2022 recipient of Oakland University’s Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Slippery Rock University
Emily Scott, Head of MT Voice

Finding YOUR Voice

This workshop will guide you through the process of finding and embracing your uniqueness. We will discuss how self-expression, communication, and authenticity translates to vocal style and talk through tips for navigating your belt and mix.

Stephens College - Jamey Grisham

The Alexander Technique:

Maximum Clarity with Minimum Tension

A multidisciplinary storyteller, Jamey Grisham’s body of work spans six continents, 80 countries, and more than 100 productions and venues worldwide. An actor, director, choreographer, composer and musician, his ventures have garnered six Encore Michigan Wilde Awards in theatre with an additional seven nominations, six Travel Weekly Magellan Awards in cruise line entertainment, one THEA Award and one Broadway World Regional Award nomination. His collaborators include Tony Award-winners, Emmy Award-winners, and Olympic medalists.

During his 12-season tenure as a resident acting company member and director/choreographer with the historic Barn Theatre in Michigan, Grisham helmed the Midwestern premieres of Sam in “Ghost, The Musical,” Will in "American Idiot," Stacee in “Rock of Ages,” and the title role in “Tarzan.” He also choreographed the much-anticipated rework of “Pal Joey” with director Peter Schneider, librettist Patrick Pacheco and Kim Zimmer as “Vera,” as well as the newly released “Hands on a Hardbody” starring Rex Smith.

Grisham is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, Dramatists Guild, American Federation of Musicians, ASCAP, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, where he is a two-time recipient of the SDC Foundation Observership. His training includes an M.F.A. at Brown University, where he was a Stephen Sondheim Fellow; a B.F.A from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts Theatre Conservatory, where he was a Newberry Library Fellow and member of the Franklin Honor Society; London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art; Royal Shakespeare Company and Harvard University.

Circle in the Square/Eckerd College

Sara Louise Lazarus

Auditioning for Musical Theatre - an exploration of how to win at musical auditions. Bring a recorded accompaniment of a 60 second song.

Sara is Chair of Musical Theatre at Circle in the Square Theatre School, where over the past 20 years she has taught and developed the Musical Theatre curriculum. She conceived and created a 2+2 Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre and Musical Theatre, partnering Circle in the Square with Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL.

Sara’s students have played leading roles in Wicked, Book of Mormon, My Fair Lady at Lincoln Center, Bette Midler’s Hello Dolly, King Kong, Motown, Phantom of the Opera, Tuck Everlasting, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Titanic, and many more.

Utah - David Eggers

Navigating style and "acting the dance".

David Eggers comes to the University of Utah directly from NYC and surrounding areas, where he has worked extensively for more than twenty years, most recently as associate director and/or associate choreographer for four Broadway shows: In Transit, Living on Love, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and Anything Goes.

As a prior performer, Mr. Eggers has been in ten Broadway musicals, including Billy Elliot, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Pajama Game, Curtains, Wonderful Town, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wedding Singer, Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, and Saturday Night Fever. He also performed in regional, summer stock, and touring, and international products. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, and has shared his knowledge and expertise in acting, dance, and performance master classes and workshops throughout the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut area.

Workshop description – Learn a classic musical theatre style dance audition combination from the University of Utah’s David Eggers (Broadway credits include: Billy Elliott, How to Succeed…, Curtains, Pajama Game, Wonderful Town, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wedding Singer, Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, Saturday Night Fever). There will be a particular focus on navigating style and acting the dance in an audition environment.

Ohio University
Steven Strafford

Musical Theater Masterclass

Playing the Opposite Human beings are COMPLICATED. In the same moment, we can be happy, sad, wryly humorous, and ready to hit someone. So, why as actors do we get stuck in the most obvious way to attack the mental/emotional life of a musical theatre piece? In this class, we will work on 32-bar cuts. By exploring attacks on the song that challenge our original assumptions, we'll try to add moments of surprise for the audience while keeping our channels open to being surprised ourselves in moments of performing.

Bio : Steven Strafford is an actor and playwright. He played Prince Herbert in Spamalot (directed by Mike Nichols) and appeared in the national and international tours of Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Grease! In Chicago, he appeared in MANY plays and musicals at Goodman, About Face Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Greenhouse Theater, and First Folio Theatre. He has played men, women, rivers, giraffes, birds, frogs, kings, beggars, elves, Jesus (Three Times!) and aliens. His TV credits include Somebody Somewhere, Chicago Fire, and Yarnspinners. His movie credits include Homecoming, The Thanksgiving Guest, Movers Ultimate, and the upcoming, Just Breathe. He also got to be in a national commercial with his husband which was awesome and bought them a car. Steven is also a playwright! He is the author and performer of the award-winning solo show, Methtacular! His plays, Small Jokes About Monsters, Greater Illinois, The Match Game, Mona Quimby: Age 38, and The Model Congressman have been produced and workshopped around the country. Small Jokes About Monsters is published and licensed by Dramatists Publishing. Greater Illinois and The Match Game will both get world premieres in the 2023-24 theatrical season. Steven's directing credits include Natural Shocks, Dear Winona, Where Everything is True and None if it Is Real, Sing Happy! and many others. He is really excited to direct See Rock City and Other Destinations this coming spring.

Ellen Lettrich is the Founder of MTCA and the Founder and current Executive Director of The Fund for College Auditions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports low-income students from underrepresented groups throughout their college audition process. Ellen has been a theatre educator focusing on the college audition process since 1999. She is also a licensed speech pathologist who specializes in voice and in this role has been Assistant Vocal Coach for Matilda on Broadway and Vocal Coach for Hand to God both on Broadway and off. She loves her continued work with MTCA as a voice analyst and resident Coaching Team Grandma.

Coastal Carolina
Dory Sibley

VOICE IN THE MASK: A NEW PATHWAY INTO CHARACTER

In this workshop participants will discover unlikely characters in a surprising way, through the resonance of the mask. Using vocal resonance within mask work can unlock potential characters and help artists make strong choices. Participants will use half and full masks as well as improvisation to explore sound, breath and body. This technique builds unique, informed characters with layered voices supported through a resonant mask and an open body.

Instructor: Dory Sibley Dory Rebekah Sibley (she/her) - mother, educator, original works artist, singer - is currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Affiliate Professor in Women’s and Gender Studies at Coastal Carolina University. She co-founded the mask troupe Tut’Zanni Theatre Company and is also a founding member of the dark, feminist clown troupe Women From Mars. Her original devised work has been featured in Berlin, Milan, Turin, Arezzo, Cortona, Genova and across the USA. Dory has an MFA in Physical Theatre and is a certified teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework® and the Elemental Body Alignment System (EBAS). Her pedagogy is a mixture of her in depth training in Roy Hart Extended Voice, Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Knight-Thompson Speechwork, devised theatre and somatic techniques. As an artist and educator, she is dedicated to holding space for diverse voices, encouraging people to embrace their unique voice and fostering the expression of deep truth through the artist’s experience.

Dory also has researched areas of Trans Voice, LGBTQ+ Theatre, Feminist Theatre, Diversity and Equity in Theatre Training, Storytelling, Organic Intelligence, Trauma release in Voicework