Media Theatre's New School has Auditions August 17

The Media Theatre’s New School, a conservatory-style educational approach to music theatre, is headed into its fourth year. Enrollment is by interview or audition only. Jesse Cline, the theatre’s Artistic Director, will hold auditions on Saturday August 17 for the 2013-2014 session.

Cline, who led the theatre to Broadway World Philadelphia’s “Best Theatre Company 2012” Award,  instructs the acting classes within The New School, while resident music director Tom Fosnocht teaches vocal music and music theory. There is also a movement element to the course. The New  School is the only theatre school in Delaware County and the region with a focus on preparing students for performance in music theatre. It includes instruction in the three disciplines of acting, music, and movement—all of which are needed in the performance of music theatre.

“The music component of the New School curriculum will be a quantitative assessment of each student’s musicianship,” Fosnocht explained. “The assessments will encompass an introductory and intermediate understanding of reading music as well as a basic knowledge of music terminology.”

Since 2010, Fosnocht has become an integral part of the continued mission of the professional music theatre company housed at The Media Theatre.  He music directed Broadway Series productions ranging from “Mame” in which he worked with Broadway’s Andrea McArdle to “Annie”, working with Emmy-winner Wanda Sykes in her music theatre debut.  He is the recipient of Broadway World Philadelphia’s “Best Music Director” 2012 Award for The Media Theatre’s “Wings”.

Dance is an essential element of music theatre and will be an important element during The New School. The class teaches elements of various dance genres and incorporates them into combinations designed specifically for the students.

“Acting, music, and dance are intertwined throughout this program,” Cline added. “The objective of the New School is to incorporate all of these elements into a common approach put forth by the faculty. If one were to synthesize the fundamental premise of the training it would be that ‘the truth is everything’. This premise is essential and should maintain itself in everything that takes place on stage. Each student finds the truth within himself or herself and that particular truth means they are individual and special.”

All priority casting of young people for The Broadway Series, such as the upcoming “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, and the Youth Series is from The New School.

The New School enters its fourth season mid-September with two age groups. The teens meet on Mondays at 4:30pm with the younger age group meeting on Thursdays at 4:30pm. Only 15 students are accepted for each age group.

Auditions take place Saturday August 17 at 1pm for both age groups. Please be between the ages of 8 to 17 and prepare a song and monologue. For those previously registered in The New School, no audition is necessary—simply email rer764@gmail.com stating you will be continuing in the 2013-14 Season. For more information, call Jesse Cline at 610-891-0100.