Open Stage of Harrisburg Holds Workshop Today

Open Stage of Harrisburg, the Capital Region's professional theatre devoted to thought-provoking contemporary works and theatre education, is producing an intensive workshop with professional New York City actors at Susquehanna Township High School (3500 Elmerton Ave, Harrisburg‎ PA‎ 17109) today, Saturday, January 28 from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Through it's new Classroom180 program, Open Stage's Studio/School is bringing professional New York City actors the 180 miles to Central PA, where they will lead workshops on musical theatre dance, voice and performance and discuss their professional experiences with Susquehanna Township High School's Spring musical, HAIRSPRAY, and other students. In addition, Open Stage Education Director Anne Alsedek will teach a master class on acting to the students.

"Classroom180 is going to be great for the cast of HAIRSPRAY and a way to raise the bar for arts education in the region," says Alsedek. "We are happy to kick off this new program at Susquehanna Township High School. Our Summer Music Theatre Workshop brings students to NYC every year, but it is spectacular for Susquehanna Township School District to bring NYC to the students. "

The high school cast is preparing for their production of HAIRSPRAY, running March 1-4, 2012. The NYC actors are hand-picked alumni of high-profile professional productions of HAIRSPRAY. Hollis Scarborough, who performed in the HAIRSPRAY Las Vegas cast has also worked regionally and in NYC; she willl be teaching a musical theatre vocal workshop. Lori Eve Marinacci will be leading a dance audition workshop; she was also in the Vegas production of HAIRSPRAY before she moved into the Broadway cast.

Since 1985, Open Stage of Harrisburg Studio/School, the official education wing of Open Stage of Harrisburg, has provided outstanding training for the theatre. With a mission "dedicated to developing the student's skill, knowledge, and appreciation of the process of acting and the making of theatre", Open Stage Studio/School offers instruction for all ages. Housed at Open Stage of Harrisburg, 223 Walnut Street, on the street level of the Walnut Street Parking Garage in downtown Harrisburg, its year-round schedule is conducted by an outstanding professional faculty and renowned resident artists who inspire and train students in every aspect of theatre, from voice and choreography to acting and technique. The Studio/School is funded, in part, by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Cultural Enrichment Fund, the capital region's united arts fund. Open Stage of Harrisburg is a Constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for American theatre.