7/28/2019 Theatre Under The Stars Alumni Newsletter. WHERE ARE
THEY NOW?
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H U M P H R E Y S S C H O O L F O R M U S I C A L T H E A T R E
A L U M N I A S S O C I A T I O N A L U M N I N E W S L E T T E
R
When I was asked to write a piece for the newsletter Istruggled
with what to say and then Meredith Bechtel
walked down the hall and said Hi Bob. Some would see
this as a simple gesture from a fellow employee. I saw it
as this incredible evolution of life and a reflection of the
world that is the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre.
You see, Meredith is a recent graduate of the HSMT now
studying theatre at Syracuse University. She agreed toprovide us
some part-time assistance this summer (for
pay of course) while an employee was out on maternity
leave. She is kind of sharing a job with another HSMT
alum, Ally McGehee. The two of them expertly manage all
that happens through the main reception area which
often seems like playing traffic cop. To see Meredith and
Ally here daily re-enforces for me all that is good with
TUTS and HSMT.
To many of us, the proof that we have done a good job
teaching and mentoring our students is watching them grow into
adulthood. This summer
has really driven this point home to me. It seems everywhere I
have been lately I have run
into a HSMT alum that has returned home. They seem so grown and
more mature. They
have all stopped to talk and share what has happened in their
lives since they left HSMT.
Every time I see an alum, I am left with this thought. Maybe we
dont teach children
theatre maybe we train for adulthood. I like to believe that
what Shay and the amazing
faculty at HSMT teach is not just how to sing, dance, and act
but how to be the best you
can be. Maybe what comes with all of that are lessons on respect
and professionalism.
It reminds me that not everyone leaves our halls to be the next
Broadway star. In fact,
many go on to become lawyers, teachers, doctors, and other
professions. What they learn
here provided them the discipline and sense of self to become
who they are today.
What an amazing legacy for a musical theatre professional
development school in
Houston, TX. You have provided over 40 years of training youth
who have gone on to besuccessful adults. Truly amazing!
I urge all of you, as alums, to come back and visit us on site,
on stage, and on Facebook.
We continue to inspire youth and welcome our adults home.
Bob Lawson, Director, Education
A N o t e f r o m T U T S E d u c a t i o n D i r e c t o r
S a v e t h e D a t e
July 2013
With a pounding drum line, high energy dancers andtalented
singers, Humphreys School of Musical Theatredominated the stage at
Miller Outdoor Theatre with itsproduction ofDisneys High School
Musical!
For the first time in HSMTs history with Miller, thestudents
performed both day and evening shows throughoutthe third weekend of
June much to the delight of the almost14,000 Houstonians who
attended the production. The cast
was comprised of 50 talented HSMT students performing
hits such as Were All In This Together, Breaking Free,and Stick
To The Status Quo. A truly show-stopping
moment was during Getcha Head In The Game where the cast
performed an intricatedance performance using basketballs,
choreographed by TUTS Shay Rodgers.
Directing the Academy show at Miller Outdoor Theatre is truly
one of the highlights of
my year, said TUTS Education Manager, Rozie Curtis. This year,
of course, was even
more special because Miller granted us the opportunity to
present both during the day
and evening. To see the joy on the faces of the young audience
members watching the
show during the day was wonderful! Then to see the magic of the
evening with fabulous
lighting put a very large bow on a very impressive gift.
In addition to our amazing HSMT students, we also incorporated
the energetic drum line
from Westside High School and the exciting new group called Torn
Tuxedos. The drum
line students reminded me of how special our line of work is and
shared their tweets
exclaiming this is the most fun I have ever had in my entire
life!
TUTS and HSMT is thrilled with the overwhelming
responseDisneysHigh SchoolMusicalreceived and are grateful for the
communitys support. We look forward to
spending another great summer under the stars in 2014.
A n n u a l P i c n i c i n t h e P a r k The annual Picnic in
the Park cast party hosted by
Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Alumni
Associationand Leading Ladies took place on
Thursday, June 13th. Alumni Association and
Leading Ladies members, cast members, and their
parents gathered on-stage at Miller Outdoor
Theatre to enjoy a delicious potluck lunch
following the HSMT performance ofDisneys
High School Musical.
The lunch provided the opportunity for Alumni to
mingle with current HSMT students and showtheir support for the
talented kids. Funds raised
by the Alumni Association assist HSMT
productions, likeDisneys High School Musical,
with the rising costs associated with putting on a
musical.
Thank you to all Alumni whoparticipated in the Annual
Picnic!
H S M T R o c k s M i l l e r !
W h e r e A r e T h e y N o w ?
Acclaimed actor and playwright, Bruce Norris, began his
theatrical career in Houston as a student in the Humphreys
School of Musical Theatre. Years later, he continues to
recognize the importance of HSMT firsthand.
After college, Bruce focused on his career as an actor. Hewon
roles at many venues such as the Steppenwolf Theatre
Company of Chicago, in addition to numerous roles on
Broadway. Following his time on the stage, Bruce began
working behind-the-scenes as a playwright. He is best
known for his recent play, Clybourne Park, which won the
Tony Award for Best Play in 2012, Olivier and Evening Standard
Awards (London) for
Best Play in 2011, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2011. His
newest play,
Domesticated, will premiere later this year at the Lincoln
Center Theatre in New YorkCity.
In April, Bruce was an honored guest at the 2013Moonlight
Serenade: Celebrating 45
Years Under the Stars Gala benefitting TUTS Education Programs.
In appreciation of the
training he received during his formative years, Bruce made a
generous contribution to
the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Alumni Associations
Artistic Fund.
We would like to extend a special thank you for his
participation and additional support of
the HSMT Artistic Fund which supports HSMTs annual productions
and enables theschool to deliver high quality, full length musical
productions to the community.
Left to Right: Bruce Norris, Bruce Lumpkin and M.G. Perez
Bruce Lumpkin re-joined the staff at Theatre Under
The Stars in July 2012 as Artistic Director to maintain
artistic oversight of TUTS producing operations,
provide creative direction to TUTS Humphreys School
of Musical Theatre, and enhance TUTS voice in the
arts community.
After earning his BFA from the University of Houston,
Mr. Lumpkin got his start in theatre here at TUTS as
the resident director of the Humphreys School. He
soon caught the attention of Tommy Tune, who
tapped Mr. Lumpkin to work on several Broadways
titles including Grand Hotel,My One and Only,Nine,
Stepping Out, and The Best Little Whorehouse In
Texas. His career has taken him to several respectedtheatres
across the nation including the 5 th Avenue
Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Casa Manana, Dicapo Opera
Company, Heritage
Entertainment, the Lyric Theatre, Maine State Musical Theatre,
North Shore Music Theatre,
the Pittsburgh CLO and Walnut Street Theatre. He countsSummer 69
andHonky Tonk Angel
among his off-Broadway work, and he served as the artistic
director to BroadwaysMindfreak
featuring illusionist Criss Angel.
Additionally, Mr. Lumpkin co-directed Grand Hotelon Londons West
End and served on the
creative team for the national tours ofDr. Doolittle andNine. He
received the BarrymoreAward for Best Director and Best Musical for
his revisionist look at Cabaret. Other personal
milestones for Bruce include his work in the world premieres
ofDodsworth and Grossingers
and the US premiere ofLa Vie En Bleu.
Bruce is thrilled to return to Houston and the theatre that gave
him his start in the industry.
TUTS is equally as excited to have him back!
800 Bagby St, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77002
Tel: 713-558-2600
HSMT: 713-558-8801
Fax: 713-558-2650
E-mail: [email protected]
Vo l u n t e e r O p p o r t u n i t i e s Theatre District Open
House
Mark your calendars! The Theatre District Open Housewill be held
on Sunday,
August 25th. Details and shift information to come.
Congratulations to Tommy Tune Awards Nominees and Winners!
There was a full house at the Hobby Center on April 16, 2013
as high school students and teachers were honored at the
Tommy Tune Awards. That evening, students nominated for
best actress, best actor, and best musical performed
highlights
from the productions they have worked hard on all year.
Nominees were chosen from forty-five Houston area high
schools who participated in the annual awards competition,
named in honor of native Houstonian and nine-time Tony
Award winner, Tommy Tune. Many of the students nominated
have attended classes or participated in the Humphreys
School of Musical Theatre.
Each year Tommy Tune best
actress and actor winnersrepresent Houston at the
National High School Musical Theater Awards in New
York City. Nominees from all over the US spend a week
in group rehearsals, individual vocal and acting
coaching by Broadway professionals, and discussions
with working actors. The week leads up to The Jimmy
Awards where nominees showcase their talent at the
Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. The 2013 Tommy TuneAwards
representatives were Allison Anderson, winner
of Best Leading Actress for her performance as Nellie
Forbush in Pearland High SchoolsSouth Pacific, and
Ryne Nardecchia, winner of Best Leading Actor for his
performance as Sweeney Todd in
Klein Oak High SchoolsSweeney Todd: School Edition.
We would like to applaud Allison, Ryne, and all the talented
high school students and
teachers who participated in the 2013 Tommy Tune Awards!
M.G. Perez grew up with TUTS and fostered his
love for the arts at HSMT. He attended TUTS
Humphreys School of Musical Theatre from 1973
-1980. The first HSMT production he had a role in
was Grease during the summer session at the old
W. Gray location. Many productions followed at
the old Music Hall, including:King and I,Peter
Pan, Carousel, Oliver!, andPinocchio to name a
few.
While a student at HSMT, M.G. embarked on
what would become an 18 year career as a news
reporter. It all began as a child anchor for
KHTVsNews Before the Hour. Upon graduation
from High School, M.G. continued his career in
journalism as a news reporter in Houston, Austin, San Diego, San
Francisco and New
York.
Deciding to return to his first love, the arts, M.G. became the
first recipient of the
University of Houston-Downtowns Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts
(BAFA) with an
emphasis in theatre. He continued his education earning his
Masters of Arts in Teaching
from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego last year.
M.G.s degree emphasis
was on special education and he developed his masters thesis on
What is the impact of
drama on the communication skills of children with disabilities.
Much of M.G.s
research for his thesis was conducted at TUTS River for
Performing and Visual Arts
Program. This Fall, M.G. will be applying to pursue a PhD in
performing arts.
Concurrent to M.G.s educational pursuits, he has continued to
perform in a variety of
productions in Houston and San Diego. He can currently be seen
at the Coronado
Playhouse in San Diego starring as Grobert in a production
ofCarnival!
M.G. believes his time at TUTS has greatly effected his life and
career. We are proud to
have M.G. as an alum and ambassador of arts education in the
community!
Like us on Facebook!Questions or comments? E-mail us at
[email protected] or call 713-558-2600.
Ryne Nardecchia
Allison Anderson
Rebecca Eckert, MatthewSmith and Bob Lawson
Katelyn Kapocsi, Samantha May and
Alexa Magro
Julian Malone, Alexis Vargas and
Brittany Chapman
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