Feature: MASTER CLASSES WITH GARY MAUER at Gettysburg Community Theatre

This weekend, the Gettysburg Community Theatre gave local performers an opportunity to sharpen their acting skills by taking classes with renowned Broadway star Gary Mauer. He also made a special guest appearance at the theatre's 11th Annual Gala, held after Saturday's master classes. I was honored to have a chance to observe and participate in Gary's teachings. While I was not able to attend the sold-out gala because I found out about it too late, I hope to be able to attend next year. Before I get into my personal experience with the training, here is just a taste of Gary's qualifications that make him an expert in the world of acting...

Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Gary is no stranger to the stage. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre from The University of Arizona, he went on to make major contributions to one of live theatre's most well-known and beloved shows, The Phantom of the Opera. Gary has played both the role of Raoul and The Phantom, performing on Broadway and in the National Tour versions of the production. Other notable roles include Enjolras in both the Broadway and National Tour versions of Les Miserables, Ravenal in the National Tour of Show Boat, and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Currently, you can find Gary traveling across the United States, singing as a featured soloist in concerts with some of the country's biggest symphonies.

The master classes that Gary taught were lovely. It can be very scary to meet people that you are inspired by, especially in the performance world. It can be even scarier when you are asked to perform in front of them. I am happy to report that my time with Gary was not scary at all. He was very warm and approachable and was great with the children. He took the time to listen carefully to each student that was chosen to "audition" for him and gave thoughtful, unique feedback to each of us. He was equally thorough in answering every question that we had for him. The class was very informative while not being overwhelming with knowledge, allowing us to really enjoy our time with Gary. It was a perfect balance. As someone who has taken a lot of workshops over the years, this class was what I would call a total success.

If you are looking for quality educational opportunities, I highly recommend checking out the programming available through Gettysburg Community Theatre. You can add yourself to their email list to be kept up to date on future events by visiting the "Contact Us" section of their website at www.gettysburgcommunitytheatre.org. If you want to check out what Gary Mauer is up to and learn more about his work, you can find that information at www.garymauer.com.