FSPA Student Jack Mullen Joins BEAUTY AND THE BEAST National Tour as 'Chip'

Jack Mullen, 11, from Millis, has joined the NETworks National Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in the role of Chip. Jack began his 5-week run in Sacramento, Calif., and follows the West Coast leg of the tour, with performances in San Luis Obispo, Palm Desert and Los Angeles, as well as Tempe, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada.

A musical theater student at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), Jack was cast in the role through FSPA's association with Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) of New York City. In January, Jack traveled to Manhattan with FSPA Founder and Director Raye Lynn Mercer and 22 fellow students for FSPA's annual BAA weekend of master classes with Broadway performers, directors and choreographers. Jack was part of a smaller group of students invited back in February to participate in a 3-day BAA Intensive that culminated in a showcase before an industry panel of casting directors, agents and managers. Jack caught the attention of casting director Bob Cline, founder of Bob Cline Casting in NYC, and was asked to audition for the part of Chip.

Jack sang and read for the role on a Monday morning, learned he had earned the part that afternoon, and flew out to California seven days later to join the tour. Less than one week after that, Jack was on stage at Sacramento's Community Center Theater in his first performance as Chip.

Jack described the process as both nerve-wracking and exciting. FSPA provides students with audition coachings and guidance with resumes, headshots, repertoire and dress, so he felt prepared to meet the challenge: "I've learned how important it is to have a positive attitude, make a good first impression, and be yourself, along with all the technical skills." Still, he said, "I did not see this coming!"

A fifth grader, Jack is tutored on the road and travels with his mom, Nicole. His brother, Ryan, father, grandparents and some friends will join him at points during the tour. Jack is excited to meet new people, see other parts of this country, perform on different stages, and learn the ropes of being part of a national tour and professional company. "When I started classes and performing it was just for fun, but now I would like to do it professionally," he said. "There are no real words to describe how it feels being onstage and backstage. It's so much fun!"

At FSPA, Jack has studied musical theater since the first grade and has also taken tap, boys' dance, acting, piano and voice. He was Linus in FSPA's SummerStage 2012 production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and has appeared as Fritz in The Nutcracker and as Tiny Tim in Humbug! with the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC). Jack was most recently in FPAC's presentation of The Sound of Music, performing in the production's Festival Children's Ensemble the weekend prior to his California departure.

Nicole Mullen said her son has always shown a lot of enthusiasm for the performing arts and that his interest has only grown with each class and performance. "His FSPA and FPAC experiences inspired his passion and helped shape and prepare him," she noted. "With each show, he's learned how to conduct himself backstage and express himself onstage. It's been a great introduction to understanding how a production is put together and what is expected of you."

FSPA's affiliation with Broadway Artists Alliance began when BAA Founder and Director Jennifer Johns cast and music directed FSPA students locally for the Boston run of the 2000 National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and subsequently for the 2004 National Tour of Evita.

For more information about NETworks presentation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, including show dates and itinerary, visit www.beautyandthebeastontour.com. To learn more about the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.fspaonline.com.

Pictured: Franklin School for the Performing Arts student Jack Mullen, 11, from Millis, is pictured in front of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood during the Los Angeles run of the NETworks National Tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Jack performs the role of Chip.