Broadway Bound

Senior Provence Hatfield credits Southeastern with opening the door to Open Jar Institute’s actor training program.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016 


 

Having participated in several Southeastern Opera-Music Workshop productions – including singing roles in The Pirates of Penzance, It’s Only Life, and Sweeny Todd – Provence Hatfield learned how to carry herself not only as a performer but as a person.

“Certain teachers had a great impact on me,” she said, “such as Dr. Stephen Suber, who taught me to
love and appreciate music of all genres and time periods; Dr. Alissa Row, who demonstrated how to be professional every day and how to work with an ensemble; and Jim Winter with the Southeastern Theatre, who taught me how to take direction and run with it. He also reignited in me a love for theater and a passion within me I forgot I had.”

The Amite native will soon head to New York, having received an invitation to study at the prestigious Open Jar Institute.

Hatfield will receive one-on- one training through an integrated program for actors and performers in New York City. Open Jar is designed to assist selected individuals break into the highly competitive world of professional acting and singing.

In the Southeastern Theatre’s play High and Mighty, Hatfield earned the opportunity in February to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Acclaimed Broadway director Jeff Whiting, who is associated with Open Jar, saw her performance there and invited her to audition for the program.

“One of the requirements, however, was I had to do a dance routine,” Hatfield said. “I had done a lot of performances, but never had any dance training,” she said. She got some quick instruction from dance instructor Alison Maraman on a jazz routine, which she practiced over a week and included in her audition tape.

“It was a pleasant surprise when I learned I had been accepted into Open Jar,” she said. She is now focused on raising the $11,000 needed for tuition and boarding at Open Jar through her summer work and a benefit concert, Making Dreams a Reality, held last month at Southeastern.

“One of the benefits of participating in the Open Jar Institute is the opportunity to meet and perform in front of directors and agents, which can open doors for a possible career,” she adds. “Eventually I would love to participate in Disney Broadway, a company that puts on Disney productions such as Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Frozen. Truly, that would be my dream come true.”

Her mentor believes Hatfield has what it takes to be successful.

“Provence has a unique voice with an incredibly wide range and a palate full of colors,” said Professor of Vocal Arts Stephen Rushing, who served as her vocal coach and mentor. “There is one characteristic though that separates Provence from many who want to go into musical theatre, and that is charisma. Her presence on the stage draws attention because of a natural stage personality and energy; it is something she was born with. This, combined with her sheer desire to perform, will certainly lead to bigger and better things. The opportunities offered through the Open jar Institute, combined with perseverance and hard work, are a recipe for success.”

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