THE SOUND OF MUSIC National Tour's Kerstin Anderson to Host Workshop at Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce that the fifth annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards will feature a workshop with Kerstin Anderson, star of THE SOUND OF MUSIC National Tour. The Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards will be held at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place (175 E Chestnut) on Monday, June 6, 2016. Sponsored by THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Grosh Backdrops & Drapery, the Illinois chapter of the National High School Musical Theatre Awards serves as an annual national celebration of outstanding achievement in musical theater performance by high school students.

Kerstin Anderson (Maria Rainer) had just completed her sophomore year at Pace University in pursuit of a BFA in Musical Theater when she was offered the remarkable opportunity to play Maria-and see America! This past year she played Clara in the Pace production of The Light in the Piazza directed by Victoria Clark. Other Pace credits include The Visit (Annie, dir. John Doyle). Regional credits include My Name is Annie King (Mav, Scene Space) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Shy, The Forestburgh Playhouse).

THE SOUND OF MUSIC director Jack O'Brien had this to say about his leading lady, "I've always believed Maria was a 'star-making' part, rather than the leading role we remember from the movies and our experience; so I went looking for someone with star-making magic. And in through the audition door one day walked Kerstin Anderson, still studying at Pace University in New York. She opened her mouth, she sang, and the tears welled up in my eyes.

"If ever there were an enchanting young woman standing on the brink of discovery - this was it! And now, the discovery is about to be all of ours! Please, as I do - welcome her!"

In addition to the workshop, finalists will receive tickets to THE SOUND OF MUSIC in Chicago (playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre June 7-19). Finalists will perform for a panel of casting agents and theater professionals on stage at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place on June 6, 2016. The top two Illinois performers (one actor and one actress) will be invited to attend the National High School Musical Theatre Awards with an all-expense paid trip to New York City.

An award for Best Production will be presented to a participating school, and the Grosh Scenic Design Award will be presented to a participating school for achievement in outstanding scenic design.

For more information on both awards and complete rules and regulations, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com/about/IHSMTA/. For more information on National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as The Jimmy Awards, visit www.NHSMTA.com.

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