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Arts & Entertainment

New Voices of 2012: It’s Our Time at Paper Mill Playhouse

The Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to present more than 110 of the of the region’s most talented young performing artists from Paper Mill Playhouse’s Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory in a fully produced, original concert on the Paper Mill mainstage titled New Voices of 2012: It’s Our Time.  Members of the competitive Conservatory who earned coveted spots in the Senior, Junior Plus, and Junior Companies (ages 10-18) are directed and choreographed by Paper Mill Playhouse’s professional artistic staff in this concert which is the culmination of the five-week program.  Also appearing are numerous winners and nominees of the 2012 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards who won scholarships to attend the Conservatory.

Performances of New Voices of 2012: It’s Our Time will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.  Single tickets range in price from $25 to $45.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (973) 376-4343, online at www.papermill.org, or visit the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.

This year’s New Voices theme is a musical celebration of growing up and changing the world.  “The show contains many solos and duets, but my favorites are the full company numbers,” explains Paper Mill’s Education Program Manager, Carrie Rubino.  “It’s such strong ensemble work; to hear a company of over 100 kids sing in perfect harmony is breathtaking.  It really gives you a feel for what the future of Broadway holds, and anyone who’s a fan of musical theater should come and see the show.”

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The Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory is a program of rigorous study allowing students to enhance their individual performance potential while developing a broad base of theater experience and knowledge.  Students participate in intensive classes including musical theater performance, acting, dance, and improvisation, while also attending guest workshops led by professional actors, directors, and casting agents.  The final weeks are devoted to rehearsals for the New Voices Concert, performed annually on the Paper Mill stage.  The Conservatory offers the unique opportunity for gifted and talented young performers to work at their own level and challenge themselves to achieve new goals and learn new skills.  Key to the curriculum is the development of self discipline, respect, and a commitment to excellence that will serve these young artists throughout their lives.   

Students from Paper Mill Playhouse’s Conservatory have gone on to appear in numerous Broadway productions, film, television, and regional theater.  Conservatory Alumni include:

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Laura Benanti – 2008 Tony Award winner for Gypsy, Broadway roles include Into the Woods, The Sound of Music, The Wedding Singer, Swing!

Anne HathawayTwelfth Night, Film: “Rachel Getting Married” (2009 Academy Award & Golden Globe nominee), “Bride Wars”, “Get Smart”, “Brokeback Mountain”, “The Devil Wears Prada”, and Disney’s “The Princess Diaries”

Robert McClure – Broadway: Chaplin, Avenue Q

Nikki M. James – Broadway: Tony Award Winner for Book of Mormon, All Shook Up

Constantine Rousouli – Broadway: Ghost, The Musical, Wicked

Ali Stroker – Oxygen’s “The Glee Project Season 2”

Matthew Scott – Broadway: Jersey Boys, A Catered Affair, Sondheim on Sondheim

Monette McKay – Broadway’s Memphis, Mamma Mia! 

Lael Van Keuran - Broadway’s Sister Act

Elizabeth Egan Gillies – Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” and Broadway: 13! The Musical

Veronica J. Kuehn – Broadway: Mamma Mia!, Xanadu

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