Noah Himmelstein to Teach Class at Newnan Theatre Company, 8/25

On August 25, Noah Himmelstein, a theatre/opera director and teacher based in Manhattan, will present a master class at Newnan Theatre Company.

NTC’s Artistic Director Paul Conroy had worked with Himmelstein at Lyric Stage, Boston's premiere theatre company, and when he learned that Himmelstein was doing master classes, he invited him to share his experience and talent with aspiring performers in the Newnan area.

“I'm looking forward to it,” said Himmelstein. “My work, like that of any artist, is informed by the teachings of my mentors, and somewhere between them and me it changes a bit and becomes something different.”

“I've been a guest artist at Columbia University, NYU and Center Stage in Baltimore. I love doing master classes, and I don't talk down to performers; we're figuring out everything together. I work on adjustments and suggestions that the performers can grasp and run with to enhance their ability to interpret a song and present themselves in the best light.

“I teach in the way I direct, which is to spark discussion and ask the right questions, or plant seeds to inspire growth. The New York theatre scene is more competitive than it's ever been, and so much has to do with how you market yourself, so I spend a great deal of time on that, which involves a bit of tough love but is always constructive and supportive.”

For the class, students are asked to prepare two contrasting theatrical songs. Becky Clark, resident music director at NTC, will accompany them on piano. Himmelstein will then analyze and critique the performances and also give invaluable audition and career advice and techniques.

There will be three class sessions, limited to 12 students each.

Session 1: 14 – 18 years old, 10 am – 12 pm
Session 2: 18 – 22 years old, 1 pm – 3 pm
Session 3: 23+ years old, 5 pm – 7 pm

Students should bring their own sheet music in their key.

Cost is $75.00 per student. Preregistration is required at http://newnantheatre.org

“The biggest joy for me is creating new work, especially new music theatre pieces,” added Himmelstein. “This past spring I directed the world premiere of Conrad Cummings and Michael Korie's new opera, ‘Positions 1956.’ Korie wrote the lyrics for the musical ‘Grey Gardens,’ which was produced locally. He has a new musical, ‘Far From Heaven’ (based on the film) in previews now at Williamstown.”

“It's an exhilarating experience to work with a team of that kind of brain power and talent. Over the course of a year, I’ve made suggestions and then seen them turned into a song or a scene. Then I’ve had the opportunity to workshop with the team and find solutions together, to be in the rehearsal room and bring it to life for the first time with a first rate company. At the end of the road there's a new show that will live on forever in various productions and recordings that you helped build - it's the most thrilling feeling.”

“I've been blessed to have worked with some of the best actors, directors, and writers in the business,” These include actors Frank Langella, Bernadette Peters, and Tony Award Winner Victoria Clark; Broadway directors Doug Hughes and Bartlett Sher; casting director Stuart Howard, and writers Adam Guettel, Michael Korie, and Ricky Ian Gordon.

“I was also on the producing team of the hit musical, Spring Awakening as well as the original production of August: Osage County, David Mamet's November and the revival of The Homecoming. This included everything from a liaison between the playwright and the producers to being present at all the rehearsals and previews, which was a huge jump headfirst into the theatre scene following my time at Emerson College, where I was a directing and acting major.”

Himmelstein’s work has been seen in New York, Boston and Washington, DC and has been critically acclaimed by media such as the “New York Times” and the “Washington Post.”

As assistant director to Bartlett Sher, he is currently in pre-production for the fall Lincoln Center/Broadway revival of “Golden Boy.”

Himmelstein is the recipient of a grant from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation to study under director Doug Hughes. In the spring of 2012, he enjoyed a guest artist teaching position at NYU’s Steinhardt School. His website is www.noahhimmelstein.com

The class will be presented at Newnan Theatre Company 24 1st Avenue Newnan, GA 30263.

Preregistration is required at http://newnantheatre.org.