Twenty Coral Shores High School students and two teachers took advantage of the President’s Day weekend to celebrate the founding fathers of our country with the Broadway Student Summit in New York City and the box-office hit, “Hamilton.”
The summit is designed to connect theater students with the Broadway community — and with each other — through a series of workshops, master classes, and an unforgettable experience with musical. The program spanned two days and included an orchestra ticket to Hamilton, and six workshops in acting, voice and dance with cast and creative team members from the show.
During a master class on auditioning, Coral Shores students Lina Coole, Morgan Whittle and Sophie Kubida received individual coaching from a Broadway professional. The class focused on each performer’s individuality and creativity. The result was a more textured and authentic performance in a song or a monologue.
The students were also able to enjoy things in NYC that weren’t a part of the Summit. Due to the location of their hotel, the iconic Hotel Edison, students were able to walk and take in the sights near Times Square. They enjoyed the famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Friday afternoon, and Friday night they were able to attend the longest running play on Broadway, “The Play That Goes Wrong,” in its new theater location. Ice skating at Central Park, having a make-up tutorial from a professional make-up artist, and getting an unexpected backstage tour of the “Hamilton” theater and meeting the actors were also highlights.
Many of the students felt that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and are inspired to keep pursuing their own theatrical endeavors, starting with the CSHS Drama Club’s production of “The Little Mermaid” on March 29, 30 and 31 and on April 5, 6 and 7.
By MICHELE ZOFCHAK
