Some Sam Houston State University students took to the center stage Sunday to scare up some money for the theatre department’s seniors.
The musical theatre program’s ensemble class put on an entertaining night full of nearly glass shattering high notes, pelvic thrusting and costumes with classic music from “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Addams Family,” “Shrek the Musical,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Wicked,” “Rocky Horror Pictures” and “Young Frankenstein.”
All the proceeds from the performance go to the New York Senior Showcase, which takes a select few seniors to audition for agents and casting directors as well as see a Broadway production.
“The big capstone at the end of the four years is to be able to go and let the industry see them, use them and get representation,” said Laura Avery, Ph.D., head of musical theatre.
Caleb White, senior theater major, said the goal is to get good exposure early in their career.
“If we’re looking to move up to New York and start a professional career, it’s a good stepping stone for us to meet casting directors, possible agents, artistic director,” he said. “Anyone in the business that might help us further our careers.
The two songs that engaged audience members most were “Freak Flag” from “Shrek the Musical” and “Time Warp” from “Rocky Horror.” The latter song had the entire audience on their feet pelvic-thrusting with the cast.
The show opened with on a high note with Avery taking the stage as Christine Daae from Phantom of the Opera to sing the end of the title song. She then introduced the musical theatre ensemble class as they entered the Performing Art Center Recital Hall singing Masquerade, an appropriate song considering the array of costumes.
A few of the next few numbers were “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” from “Sweeney Todd,” “No One Mourns the Wicked” from “Wicked,” “When You’re an Addams” from “The Addams Family” and “Transylvania Mania” from “Young Frankenstein.”
If you would like to learn about the Sponsor-A-Senior Program, please call Dr. Laura Avery at 936-294-3404.