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Professional Strides for Musical Theater Graduates

Twenty-nine veterans of of this signature TFT program find gainful employment, from Broadway to San Diego

Students at TFT are often referred to as “professionals in training,” and no program at the School has made the case for that designation more forcefully than the Ray Bolger Musical Theater Program. A recent survey found that no fewer than twenty-nine graduates of the Bolger Program, listed below, are working professionally in current Broadway and national touring productions, and for major regional companies.

"Our students work very hard," says TFT Professor Jeremy Mann, Head of Singing for the Bolger program, "not only training as artists (actor/singer/dancers), but in their academic work. I believe that their commitment to such a rigorous program results in their achieving both a high professional skill level and work ethic."

The Ray Bolger curriculum, according to its mission statement, places a strong emphasis on music, the element that sets this form of theater apart from all others: "The inherent philosophy of the Curriculum is that proper vocal technique is at the core of all Musical Theater singing, regardless of the given style (Pop, Rock, Gospel, Country, “Legit”, etc). The singing actor who possesses a solid vocal technique--successfully integrated with the physical, emotional, and intellectual bodies-- can adapt to a wide variety of styles and demands in Musical Theater, and will ultimately be more competitive in the professional field."

"The passion of our students for the work," Mann says, "and their understanding of the immense value of theater in our society, motivates them to diligently pursue work as performers post-graduation. And the professional world tends to embrace them, thanks to their talent and focus as performing artists."

Travis Robertson ’03: "Book of Mormon" on Broadway
Peter Musante ’05: Blue Man Group 
Taylor Sternberg ’06: "Jersey Boys" on Broadway
Chris Fore ’06: "Jersey Boys", Las Vegas
Sarah Girard ’07: "Legally Blonde", PCPA Theaterfest
Aleks Pevec ’07: Original Broadway Production of "Catch Me if You Can"; current revival of "Evita."
Jimmy Lambert ’08: Broadway National Tour of “Mamma Mia!”
Melinda Porto ’11, Klarissa Mesee, Clay Stefanki ’10, Ryan Castellino ’08: “Miss Saigon”, La Mirada
Parnia Arayi ’09: "Tommy", San Diego Repertory Theatre
Jamison Lingle ‘09: National Tour of "Emma;" "The Robber Bridegroom", International City Theatre
Tatiana Holthaus (Mac) ’11, Jamison Lingle ’09: "The Robber Bridegroom", International City Theatre
Jessica Keenan-Wynn ’09: Broadway National Tour of “Les Miserables”
Angelica Richie ’10: National Tour of "Damn Yankees" 
Carly Bracco ’10: National Tour of "Peter Pan" with Cathy Rigby 
Tatiana Holthaus (Mac) ’10: "Boy From New York City", Coast Playhouse
Cami Gonzales ’10: 2012 Summer Season, Utah Festival Opera
Melanie Fernandez ’11: "The Fix", International City Theatre; Disney World Cruises
Cristina Gerla ’11: 2011-12 Season at PCPA ("Romeo and Juliet", "Little Women", "Legally Blonde")
Juliane Godfrey ’11: "The Music Man", Arena Stage (Washington, DC)
Melinda Porto ’11: Disneyʼs "Brave", El Capitan Theatre
Jordan Arago ’12: "Sweeney Todd", Moonlight Amphitheatre
Jonathan Eidson ’12: "Legally Blonde", San Diego Musical Theatre
Charissa Hoagland ’12: "The Producers", Hollywood Bowl
Joanna Jones ’12: "Thriller Live!", Londonʼs West End
Melissa Reinertson ’12, Danielle Rosario ’12: "Meet Me In St. Louis", Cabrillo Music Theatre

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