Harding Fine Arts Academy (Academy), an arts-integrated charter high school, recently provided two workshops and one master class for its students with three members of the North American touring cast of the Tony Award-Winning musical ‘Hadestown’ in partnership with Broadway Plus. Guest teachers included Matthew Patrick Quinn, Hades, Nyla Watson, Fate, and Jamari Johnson Williams, Worker.
On Tuesday, October 25, students at the Academy participated in two different workshops: ‘Group Dance’ and ‘Group Sing-Along.’ During the dance workshop 19 student learned what it takes to be a Broadway dancer. Williams, ensemble dancer in ‘Hadestown’, led a brief warm-up and taught an all-levels, hip hop combination from the show. During the ‘Sing-Along’ workshop, Watson led 15 students through a vocal warm-up, discussed technique, and taught a group number from her repertoire.
“I’m happy to see that [Harding Fine Arts Academy is] equipping students for the future as artist,” said Watson. “By bring in people from New York and other places, you are showing them the world is so big and that there are so many avenues to be successful, and that is so beneficial to them.”
That afternoon, a select number of advanced musical theater students worked one-on-one with Quinn in an “Acting Through Song” master class. During the master class, eight students performed a short musical theater solo for Quinn and received personalized feedback on musicality, acting, and singing technique.
“I had a very fulfilling experience connecting with the acting class students [at Harding Fine Arts Academy],” said Quinn. ‘I truly believe in the power of giving students the opportunity to learn from professionals. One on one instruction from mentors can offer students a unique chance to learn instruction from the people whose footsteps they may choose to follow someday,” Quinn continued. “My applause and gratitude goes out to the teachers for inviting me and to the students for their solid work.”
On Friday, October 28, Watson performed two songs from ‘Hadestown’ and answered questions from students during an all-school assembly in the auditorium.
“What a pleasure and privilege it was to see our students have the opportunity to work with and learn from members of the touring company of Broadway’s Hadestown!” said Mr. Jones, Director of HFAA Drama and Musical Theater Department. “Not only did this experience provide a space to perform music, choreography, and acting from the show, our students were able to gain deeper insight into the lives and careers of professional performers living their dream. I hope our students allow this experience to inspire them to further pursue their dreams and crafts.”
On Sunday, October 30, 12 students from the advanced drama class also watched the live performance of ‘Hadestown’ at Civic Center Music Hall.
These workshops were offered exclusively to students at Harding Fine Arts Academy as part of the Ignite Master Artist Series (Series). The Series actively advances the arts by cultivating rich and transformative educational opportunities for our students, and inspiring audiences through free community concerts. The Series is made possible thanks to generous donations from the Oklahoma City community. More information on the Series can be found online at www.hfaafoundation.org/ignite.
Broadway Plus is the world’s first and only Broadway experience company, connecting theater fans of all kinds to the artists they love. Through offerings of educational workshops, corporate events, VIP meet and greets, and group show tickets, lovers of Broadway can get closer to the magic of theatre.
View artists biographies online at www.hfaafoundation.org/broadway. Headshots provided upon request.
For more information, please visit www.hfaafoundation.org
