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The new series rolls out at BW's Community Arts School this fall with classes and workshops for all ages, even adults who love music theatre.
Baldwin Wallace University's Community Arts School (CAS) has long held a popular summer camp in music theatre. Attendees have even included some future graduates of the University's acclaimed undergraduate music theatre program.
Now, those offerings, within BW's venerated Conservatory of Performing Arts, are expanding to include year-round quality musical theatre experiences and training for children through adults.
Heidi Biever, who is directing the expansion, has deep experience on stage and as an artistic educator. She is a professional musical theatre actor who's performed around the country and in international tours in roles such as Maria in "The Sound of Music" and Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors."
A graduate of Indiana University majoring in voice performance and music education, she founded and ran three musical theatre schools around the country, developing a curriculum that allows students of all ages to succeed.
"As musical theatre embraces the disciplines of singing, movement and acting, I work with students to understand the whole process while continuing to build their confidence, work ethic and skills," Biever says. "I promote healthy musical theatre singing techniques and the Meisner approach to acting."
"I believe in age-appropriate development that relies on a curriculum that builds from year to year," she continues. "That allows students to achieve a variety of artistic and life goals that come with cultural development and training."
While her approach to teaching is thoughtful and well-designed, students will enjoy the opportunity to celebrate some of their favorite musicals on the stage and play the parts that they love.
"Our approach incorporates a variety of movement styles and lots of participation. A student is rarely off the stage. They will help to create some of their own ideas, including cool props, costumes and lighting that bring their performance to life."
Biever says, through it all, she works to nurture each student's individuality and strengths as an artist.
"They learn to rely on themselves and each other in new ways. And we have a lot of fun. I would describe myself as a loving educator that sees great potential in students of all ages, encourages them to bring their best and sets them up for meaningful growth."
Most of the new CAS music theatre classes for school-age students include a wide age range, and that's by design.
"Theatre is about building community both on and off the stage," Biever explains. "In our entry-level classes, we have had great success having a variety of ages in the classes, and feature students in a way that is appropriate for their age and skill level. Theatre stories usually require a range of ages in the story, and having older and younger students allows for this variety in the casting.
"When a student shows both the interest and work ethic for taking on a more advanced approach, one of our advanced classes would be recommended. The advanced classes will be offered starting in the Spring and Summer."
There's even a class for adults who enjoy singing to take their Broadway belts out of the car or shower.
"Although no experience is necessary, past participants generally have done some performing either in high school or college or are looking for a nurturing and fun activity to have some 'me time' during the week," Biever notes. "They will sing and move to musical theatre songs that they love and learn some new ones as well! It is a very bonding and positive experience. Adults need artistic enrichment as much as children!"
Biever, who is married to BW's new music theatre music director, Richard Biever, also has plans to tap into the University's talented and often Broadway-bound undergraduates.
"We will have the talented BWMT students functioning as interns, interacting with the children — singing and dancing right along with them," Biever shares. "We are in the process of developing opportunities for the BWMT professors to give workshops and training to our students when available. It is an incredible opportunity to nurture the MT students of tomorrow."
"She sees all of the boundless potential in each and every child and lovingly and tirelessly works to nurture and grow this potential."
Among the rave reviews that Biever's approach has received, this parent testimonial sums them up best:
"It's hard to put into words the magic that is Miss Heidi. She infuses all of her classes and interactions with the kids with more love and encouragement than seems possible for one human to bestow. She sees all of the boundless potential in each and every child and lovingly and tirelessly works to nurture and grow this potential. I feel incredibly fortunate that our daughter had the opportunity to develop and foster her love of theatre in Heidi's classes."
Fall CAS music theatre classes will be held on the BW campus and begin on September 4. Registration is open now at cas.bw.edu.
