Broadway star helps young talent at Landis Theater
VINELAND – With their opening night a week away, the Broadway Bound Summer Theatre Camp students welcomed a master class with a starring role model.
Laura Osnes, a two-time Tony nominee, sat on the Landis Theater stage Thursday afternoon giving young actors feedback on their performances that balanced between evaluation and inspiration.
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Hosted by CHS Theatrical LLC, the camp offers youngsters hands-on learning about all aspects of theater culminating with a musical production, which this year is “Fame Jr.”
“We’ll learn as we go, don’t be nervous, this is the time to learn from each other,” Osnes told the students ranging in age from 10 to 15. “Make big, bold choices. We are all here to support you.”
Osnes gave tips on how to audition, which she said is 70 percent of an actor’s job.
Ten teens took part in a mock audition, handing in head shots and singing 32 bars of music — a scenario New York actors face on a regular basis.
“This is the two minutes to show the best of what you have,” Osnes said. “I want you to feel something; it shouldn’t feel choreographed, it should be instinctual.”
Handing her music to the accompanist, Logan Marciano of Pittsgrove brushed her hair back from her face and pulled in a deep breath.
She performed “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables.”
“You have a beautiful voice,” Osnes told her, also passing on suggestions to help the 13-year-old gain more focus and convey the emotion of the song.
Marciano, who plans to have her name on a Broadway marquee one day, was delighted to work with Osnes, who starred in “Cinderella,” “Bonny and Clyde,’” and “South Pacific.”
“I love this,” Marciano told The Daily Journal. “When I was little, I used to sing with my parents, I just really loved singing and performing.”
“My first talent show was when I was 7 in third grade,” Marciano said, remembering the nervousness before her debut. “When I got on stage, I felt way more comfortable.”
But facing Osnes, she said, those butterflies were back.
“It’s kinda scary just because she has so much experience, you’re not as controlled up there,” Marciano said. “It’s really fun because she gives us tips and I look forward to following what she thinks I should do — I just wanted her feedback.
Osnes’ compliments were treasured.
“I was surprised, she’s probably heard so many voices, I was happy,” Marciano said.
It was a nationally televised audition that brought Osnes and Steven Calakos, one of the camp founders, together. They competed on the 2007 reality show “Grease: You’re the One That I Want!” for spots in the Broadway version of “Grease.” Osnes won the role of Sandy.
They remained friends, maintaining supportive roles in each other’s lives.
When Osnes learned about Calakos’ theater work with the local youngsters, she volunteered to help prepare them for future auditions.
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“We are amping it up a little bit now,” Calakos said. “We have kids who are approaching 15, and they are auditioning for their high school musicals, and if they really take this seriously, they're going to be auditioning for colleges.”
“College is right there at the professional level, and they need to know the business,” he said. “Having Laura here gives them an opportunity I don’t think they normally would have had.”
Osnes urged the students to connect with their characters on a personal basis.
“Find a situation in your life that you can relate to that,” she said, encouraging them to fully commit to the emotions of their song. “It’s got to be heart on the floor or it’s not worth singing.”
Justin Suits, 14, of Vineland, took her advice while performing “Oh! What a Beautiful Mornin’” from “Oklahoma.”
Back when he was a Winslow Elementary School second-grader, Suits got a permission slip to join the drama club.
“I went home and asked my mom, ‘Can I do this?'” Suits said. “She said, ‘Go for it.’”
He did, and still does.
“I fell in love with theater and kept doing all the shows after that,” said Suits, now a Vineland High School freshman.
“I want to become better at what I do,” he said, and working with Osnes is part of that.
When asked for tips to make it to Broadway, Osnes said, “There is no cookie cutter five-step plan to follow.”
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“What’s most important is to learn to follow your heart, it sounds so cliché but it’s really true,” she said.
Osnes was fortunate to win her first Broadway role, but others go to New York and scramble to each audition looking for their big break.
“I was really lucky I surpassed a lot of that,” she said, but knocking on doors works too.
“It’s tricky, but it’s possible,” she said.
“You’ll regret it if you never go for it,” Osnes said. “Keep training, keep learning and take opportunities like this to always grow and get better at your craft."
After class, Osnes signed autographs and said she was delighted with the level of talent she observed.
“Good thing we’re different ages,” she joked. “Hopefully we will not be up for the same roles at the same time.”
Breakout:
Fame Jr. takes the Landis Theater stage 7 p.m. Aug. 5-6. There is a 2 p.m. matinee on Aug. 6. Tickets: $13 for adults and $6 for children under 12, may be purchased at the box office, 830 E. Landis Ave. or by clicking here.
Cast List
- Nick Piazza - Deven Cannon
- Serena Katz - Elyse Frey
- Joe (Jose) Vegas - Marc Cadet
- Tyrone Jackson - Ferdinand Moscat
- Carmen Diaz - Logan Marciano
- Iris Kelly - Amanda Ellis
- Mabel Washington - Alayna Spencer
- Schlomo Metzenbaum - EJ Rada
- Grace (Lampchops) Lamb - Emily Jones
- Goodman (Goody) King - Henry Garton
- Miss Esther Sherman - Alexandra Brodzik
- Ms. Greta Bell - Julianna Giordano
- Mr. Myers - Jason Wheeler
- Mr. Sheinkopf - Michael Deem Jr.
- Dance Ensemble: Milania Ashmen, Cara Barse, Madison Battiato, Katie Cullis, Kayla Gannotta, Victoria Garton, Abigail Maines, Ana Maines, Lily Maines, Nicole Ortega, Heather Raguckas, Justin Suits, Anaya Troy, Alejandro Vega and Michelle Zheng.
- Music Ensemble: Sofia Amato, Sarah Caccese, Primo Centuolo, Carley Corbett, Cianni Fantauzzi, Sebastian Mercado, Carel Rios, Ella Schreiner, Jillian Schultz, John Terista, Hannah Town and Lianna Velazquez.
- Actor Ensemble: Giovanna Amato, Aaliyah Ayala, Alondra Collado, Angelina Colaprico, Andrea Ellis, Selena Figueroa, Gianna Gentile, Shirley Jin, Julia Lotkowska, Leonardo Luciano, Alaina Martinez, Cheyenne Olivieri, Jasaiya Phillips, Xavien Phillips, Alexis Spencer, Sydnie Stabile, Amir Troy and Gabriella Vega.
Deborah M. Marko: (856) 563-5256; dmarko@gannett.com