A performance clip from New Line's recent production of Bukowsical
Now gearing up for its 23rd season, New Line Theatre is a remarkable and possibly unique St. Louis arts institution. Committed exclusively to musicals, New Line is noted for bringing new shows to local audiences as well as for mounting unconventional productions of classics. The new season, for example, will include the regional premiere of Night Of The Living Dead, Jonathan Larson’s Rent, and the regional premiere (“straight from Broadway” per New Line) of Hands On A Hardbody.
New Line’s found and artistic director, Scott Miller, is a certified musical theater fanatic, a published author (his Deconstructing Harold Hill has a permanent place in my library), and the host (with singer/actress Deborah Sharn) of the weekly theatre interview show Break a Leg on 88.1 KDHX.
That much is pretty well known among local theatre fans. What might not be so well known is that the self-described “bad boy of musical theatre” has a musical theatre scholarship program, funded entirely by New Line supporters in the community. The New Line Theatre Scholarship Fund awards a $1,000.00 scholarship to a St. Louis metro area high school senior “who shows the potential to make outstanding artistic contributions in the musical theatre” and who plans to study musical theatre in college. The winner is selected each year by St. Louis Post-Dispatch theater critic Judith Newmark.
Earlier this week, New Line announced the winner of its 2013 scholarship: Elizabeth Ferris of Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, who plans to study theatre at Illinois Wesleyan University. Elizabeth has appeared in many productions at Althoff High School and with Looking Glass Playhouse, including Once Upon a Mattress, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hello, Dolly!, Chess, Guys and Dolls, Mame, and others.
"We always wanted to offer an annual scholarship," said Miller, "and we couldn't be happier to provide this small help to some young artist who wants to pursue work in the musical theatre. It's an amazing time to be working in the American musical theatre -- we're in a new Golden Age today -- and we hope that these promising students find as much joy in that work as the New Liners all do."
For more information on New Line’s upcoming season as well as its upcoming fundraiser Revenge of That 70s Game Show! Live! (Friday, August 2, at the Regional Arts Commission), visit newlinetheatre.com
This article originally appeared at Chuck's blog at OnStl.com.
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