Texas State, University of Texas faculty announce music theatre workshop

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
February 28, 2012

Lyn Koenning, director of musical theatre concentration in acting at the University of Texas, and Kaitlin Hopkins, Broadway actress and head of the musical theatre program at Texas State University-San Marcos, have announced the launch of the Texas Music Theatre Workshop to be held June 10-30.

The workshop will be held on the University of Texas campus. Broadway veteran and Texas State faculty member Jim Price will also be on hand for the workshop, as well as other Broadway luminaries. Hopkins, Koenning and Price all serve as co-artistic directors of the workshop.

“We have a huge network of performers, directors, composers and playwrights ready to share their experiences, skills and insights with the next generation of artists,” said Koenning. “We’re delighted to bring Broadway’s best to Texas!”

At TMTW, students work side-by-side with these distinguished professionals and university faculty. The three-week program offers studio and master classes in acting, voice, dance, audition technique and performance. Registration for the 2012 workshop is currently under way and is limited to 120 students.

“There is tremendous talent in Texas but few options for comprehensive training in all aspects of musical theater by industry professionals,” said Hopkins. “At TMTW, we give them the added bonus of having our top faculty help prepare them for their colleges auditions as well as their careers."

Hopkins (Noises Off, Grinch, Batboy) heads the nationally renowned musical theatre program at Texas State while Price (The Civil War, Ring of Fire, Batboy) is the head of the highly touted playwriting program at Texas State. Lyn Koenning is an award-winning music director, vocal arranger and voice and acting coach whose students have appeared on Broadway, regional theatre, television and film.

Currently, TMTW’s roster of additional teaching artists includes Andrew Lippa, Tony Award nominee and composer of the Broadway musical The Addams Family. Lippa’s work on The Wild Party (book/music/lyrics) was recognized in 2000 with the Drama Desk Award for best music. Also added to the faculty is Broadway director Matt Lenz, who served as the associate director for the original production of Hairspray on Broadway, national tours, Las Vegas, Toronto and Cologne, Germany, and was recently the associate director for Catch Me If You Can on Broadway. Performer Joyce Chittick is also on faculty, having starred in nine original Broadway casts, including Anything Goes, Jersey Boys and Cabaret.

For more information on Texas Musical Theatre Workshop, visit texasmusicaltheatreworkshop.com.