Syosset Alum Turned Broadway Star Gives Advice to Theater Students

Broadway star Marissa McGowan recently returned to Syosset High School to give valuable advice to theater arts students and members of the Association for Creative Thespians.

McGowan conducted a workshop with students in which she talked about her career on the stage and screen and provided many helpful tips. Among the students present were cast members of the school’s upcoming production of “Les Misérables,” a show in which McGowan herself starred on Broadway, playing the roles of both Eponine Thenardier and Cosette.

“Working with Marissa was an amazing experience. It was great to get advice and direction from someone who had played [Eponine] before and knew the show so well,” said Templar Wright, who also plays Eponine in the show. “She helped me a lot both with vocals and acting in such a short amount of time and I’m thrilled I had the opportunity to work with her.”

McGowan has also appeared on Broadway in “Bonnie and Clyde” and the most recent revival of “A Little Night Music,” as well as numerous regional theater productions including “The Nutty Professor” and “The Sound of Music.” She has also appeared in film and on television, more recently on TNT network’s “Major Crimes.”

The Syosset High School ACT will perform “Les Misérables” on March 10, 11 and 12 at Syosset High School. Theater arts teacher and ACT adviser Gene Connor is theater director while Kristen Howell is musical director for the show.

Story by Syntax, Photos courtesy of the Syosset CSD

• Photo A: Syosset HS alumna and Broadway star Marissa McGowan (front row, third from left) conducted a workshop with theater arts students and members of the Association for Creative Thespians. She is pictured with cast members of the school’s production of “Les Misérables,” Syosset CSD Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts, K-12 Michael Salzman, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers, “Les Misérables” musical director Kristen Howell, theater director Gene Connor and Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante.
• Photo B: Syosset HS alumna and “Les Misérables” star Marissa McGowan provides some tips to cast members of the school’s upcoming production of the musical, Paul Esswein and Jordyn Goldstein.