Message from the Summer Pre-College Broadway at Marist Director

Hey there! Thank you for considering the “Broadway at Marist” Summer Pre-College Program~ 

The American Musical is the most collaborative art form we have. Not only due to the countless mediums that create a Broadway show (writing, composing, singing, acting, dancing, directing, designing) but because all of those mediums must coalesce into a singular vision in order to tell one story. It is without a doubt my favorite art form; one that I believe has the power to create change in folks young and old. 

The Musical’s collaborative nature has made it a staple in the American education system and Marist College is no exception. However, as opposed to creating shows in a strict hierarchical structure like other institutions, Marist Theatre is for the students, led by the students, and performed by the students. I am excited to welcome you to our collaborative community for the two weeks of the program. Here, along with studying the performance and development of musicals, you will also be able to take your own wild ideas and bring them to life onstage!

In the spirit of collaboration, I am most excited about our partnership with New York Stage and Film, a company that develops Broadway’s next big thing right here on our beautiful campus (they were the first stop for Hamilton. Yes. THAT Hamilton.). We will hear from Broadway’s top professionals as they collaborate on their newest works. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am honored to be a part of it! 

I hope you will join us! I am excited to share the stage with you! 

 

Andrew Garret Karl (he/him) is an adjunct professor of Theatre at Marist College and the Director of Theatre Arts for the Newburgh Boys & Girls Club.  In 2012, Andrew started The Mimesis Theatre Project; a company that uses the collaborative efforts of an ensemble to create non-traditional musicals. Andrew’s work has been seen at Dixon Place, Flushing Town Hall, The 92nd Street Y, JAGFest, Feinstein’s/54below, The Cape Rep Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, and The New London Barn Playhouse. Andrew is most proud of his work as an educator, having taught students from all over the country, aged 2.5 to 75 how to use the tools of performance to grow closer to themselves and their community. Andrew holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College and an MA in Arts Administration from Baruch College. More information can be found at andrewgarretkarl.com.