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Live theatre serves many purposes: it is a powerful medium for expression and reconnection amongst people, it is has the potential to be extremely high quality entertainment and people will always be attempting to copy the sensation of a live performance, it often requires us to think creatively and differently, it is an industry that sustains many individuals who dedicate themselves to art, it can be used to influence and educate the population, it is the ultimate artistic outlet for many people, it helps preserve history, it adapts to and is nourished by everyone, it can relieve stress, it brings people together physically, it can have spiritual significance, it reminds us that some work is worth pursuing (even when all aspects are not not finically profitable), it benefits the national and international economy by putting people to work, it preserves many of our historic buildings, it is an excellent way to fulfill an enlightened mission, it is can be pleasurable, and it can facilitate collaboration between art forms.

I am currently working as the Education Director/Librarian for Goodspeed Musicals. Here is some information on this incredible arts organization:





“Home to the original productions of Man of La Mancha, Shenandoah, and Annie, and recipient of two special Tony Awards for outstanding achievement in the musical theatre, Goodspeed is world renowned as the home of the American Musical.”


Mission — Goodspeed Musicals was formed in 1959 to restore the 19th century Goodspeed Opera House and reactivated it as a professional theatre in 1963. Under the direction of Michael P. Price since 1968, Goodspeed has achieved international acclaim as the Home of Musical Theatre. Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre and the development of new works to add to the repertoire, Goodspeed pioneered the practice of rethinking, restoring, and revitalizing America’s musical theatre heritage.

New Musicals — Goodspeed is at the forefront of shaping the future of musical theatre. At The Norma Terris Theatre, located in Chester, Connecticut, Goodspeed develops new musicals and nurtures emerging artists. Inaugurated in 1984, The Norma Terris Theatre has launched over 50 musicals into the theatre world, including 25 world premieres, giving writers the opportunity to develop their material through actual production.

On Stage — Each April through December season, Goodspeed produces three musicals at the Opera House in East Haddam, and specializes in producing and developing new musicals at The Norma Terris Theatre. Nineteen Goodspeed productions have transferred to Broadway, receiving more than a dozen Tony Awards.

The Goodspeed Opera House was built in 1876 by William Goodspeed for his shipping and banking business and to provide a venue for his love of theatre. The opera house opened on October 24, 1877, with the comedy Charles II and the farces Box And Cox and Turn Him Out. After Goodspeed’s death, the opera house went from serving as a militia base during World War I to a general store to a storage depot for the State of Connecticut Highway Department. In 1959, Goodspeed Musicals restored the building, and the Goodspeed Opera House was rededicated on June 18, 1963, with the opening of the musical Oh, Lady! Lady!. Goodspeed has achieved international acclaim as the home of musical theatre. Mixing classics by the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern with the very best of this country’s newest musicals, Goodspeed pioneered the practice of rethinking, restoring and revitalizing America’s musical theatre heritage.

At The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut, Goodspeed develops new musicals and nurtures emerging artists. Dedicated in 1984, the theatre is named in honor of the actress Norma Terris, star of Jerome Kern’s Show Boat and a devoted patron and trustee of the Goodspeed Opera House during her later years. She presided over the dedication of The Norma Terris Theatre, and in 1987 she established The Norma Terris Fund to expand the talents of individuals and to foster the vitality, excellence and diversity of musical theatre at The Norma Terris Theatre. The Norma Terris Theatre formerly was a factory built in the early 1900s for Susan Bates, Inc., which became one of the largest manufacturers of knitting needle and needlework accessories. In 1982, after locating to a larger facility, Susan Bates, Inc. donated its abandoned factory in Chester, Connecticut to Goodspeed Musicals. An intimate 200-seat performing space, The Norma Terris Theatre was fully renovated, opening its doors on July 10, 1984 with the new musical, Harrigan ’N Hart.

As Education Director, I work with others to promote the understanding of and appreciation for musical theatre and to nurture the talent of artists engaged in this indigenous American art form. To help assure the success of this mission, Goodspeed has established The Max Showalter Center for Education in the Musical Theater. Located at the Goodspeed facilities in East Haddam, Conn., the Showalter Center provides a varied and enriching environment for individuals to engage in all aspects of musical theatre while receiving crucial instruction from professionals in the field.

Professional Development

New Writers’ Residency

A week-long residency at Goodspeed facilities for students enrolled in New York University’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program. Open to second year MFA candidates enrolled in the program. Working with professional directors, music directors and actors participants spend one week at Goodspeed facilities composing and writing original material for musical theatre pieces. Material is performed for an invited audience at the end of the residency.

Funded by:

* The ASCAP Foundation – Irving Ceaser Trust
* The Adolph & Ruth Schnurmacher Foundation
* The Noel Coward Foundation

Music Direction Intensive

During Winter 2010, Goodspeed Musicals will demonstrate its leadership and continued innovation in musical theatre education by offering the first Music Direction Intensive in the country. This highly selective program will provide a limited number of individuals with practical training in all aspects of Music Direction. The six day intensive will offer participants the opportunity to work with internationally renowned experts in music direction while networking with industry professionals. Participants will use the latest technology to receive hands on training in the management and implementation of the audition, rehearsal and orchestration process. Participants will also attend nightly lectures given by industry experts on pertinent subjects relating to real world success in the field of Music Direction. For more information, visit the program’s web page.

Associates Program for Pre-Professionals

Mentored opportunities for individuals seeking advanced training in various areas of musical theatre are available. Click on the following links to learn more:

ADMINISTRATIVE - INTERNSHIPS

PRODUCTION - INTERNSHIPS

PRODUCTION - SEASONAL

PRODUCTION - TECHNICAL APPRENTICESHIPS

Funded by:

* Mohegan Sun
* Elaine and Andrew McKirdy

Patron & Student Education

Goodspeed Opera House Tours

The Education Department and Goodspeed Guild offer guided tours for schools, adult and senior citizen groups. Tours cover all aspects of the Goodspeed Opera House, from the stage to the scene, paint, costume and prop shops.

Teacher’s Instructional Guide

The Teacher’s Instructional Guide (TIG) is intended for use by teachers who will bring their school groups to attend performances at Goodspeed Musicals. The TIG provides background historical information, teaching ideas and prompts to facilitate students’ knowledge and appreciation of the show’s themes and characters. The TIG activities are influenced by state and national standards associated with the arts, language arts and social studies for high school levels. To view the TIG, please click here.

Program Notes

Program Notes are created for each production. They share various insights into the show with the goal of enriching patrons’ experience at the theatre. Program Notes can be found in the theatre’s printed program, in Curtain Magazine and by clicking here.

High School Arts Education Collaboration

For the past three years, this program has engaged young and underserved teens in the creative process of musical theatre, and by doing so, made the art form accessible to new generations of theatergoers. Each season, the program exposes over 500 high school students to a high-quality musical theatre production, and gives them a special “behind-the-scenes” look into the making of a show. Students from English/Language Arts, Fine and Performing Arts, and Visual Arts Departments spend a day at Goodspeed, participate in various workshops, and attend a matinee performance at no cost. Students meet with Goodspeed professionals to learn the many disciplines involved in theatrical production, such as auditioning, music direction, props construction, stage management, painting, costume design, set construction, and technical effects including lighting and sound. The program allows Goodspeed to create an environment for students in which they can interact with all aspects of musical theatre while receiving crucial instruction from professionals in the field. Facilitators for the program include dedicated and talented professionals from Goodspeed’s Artistic, Production/Technical, and Administrative Departments committed to maintaining the integrity of the program and ensuring that the young people receive the very best experience possible.

The Speaker’s Bureau

Select members of the Goodspeed Musicals staff are available to speak to area schools, churches, businesses and civic groups on a wide range of topics.

First Friday

Mingle at our Friday night happy hour at both theatres. Starting at 6:30 p.m. enjoy an introductory talk by a member of our creative staff, complimentary appetizers, and specially priced wine, beer and cocktails. More info

Meet the Cast

Backstage at Goodspeed, an informal post-show audience discussion with the cast, is offered select Thursday evenings at the Goodspeed Opera House. More info

Talkbacks

Participate in the process of creating a new musical at The Norma Terris Theatre at post-show discussions between the audience and creative staff. More info

Kids/Teen Nights

Introduce your favorite young person to the magic of musical theatre. Each adult who buys a regular ticket for the evening performance on specified dates may purchase a $15 ticket for a child age 5 - 18. Meet the cast members after the Friday evening show for autographs. More info