Event Date:
August 11, 2023 (All day)
Carol Scott, the executive director of Wild Horse Children’s Theater was one of five outstanding educators from schools and performing arts centers around the U.S. who received the Freddie G. Fellowship.
Carol was flown to New York in July to work one-on-one with Broadway professionals at the twelfth Annual Freddie G Fellowship G from July 13 to 16.
The event was underwritten by Music Theater International’s Co-Chairman Freddie Gershon and his wife Myrna. Dozens of educators attending the 2023 annual Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta and the Junior Theater Festival West in Sacramento applied for the program. The five winners were selected based on their exceptional commitment to their students, community, and craft.
In addition to the all-expense paid visit to New York, each of the teachers’ organizations receives $5,000 from Freddie and Myrna. The teachers are empowered to identify and select how their respective school’s theatre program can best utilize the funds.
The Freddie G. Fellowship provided the winning teachers with special master classes focusing on creative blocking, choreography, vocal techniques and music direction led by an array of the industry’s best and brightest. In addition, the teachers toured the Museum of Broadway and enjoyed a special dinner reception with Freddie Gershon and the MTI team.
As part of this immersive weekend, the participants attended productions of Here Lies Love and Shucked, and observed a developmental workshop performance of Between the Lines JR. During the workshop, the teachers experienced Broadway as theatre insiders, giving their feedback to the developmental process from their unique perspectives.
“The four days fully engaged the winning teachers in the Broadway musical theatre world and provided one-of-a-kind learning opportunities for them to take back to their schools, students and communities,” says Gershon. “These teachers perform inspiring work with limited financial resources. We want to give them the opportunity to live the Broadway experience and interact with qualified professionals to reward them for all they do to introduce the next generations to live theatre and simultaneously enhance their knowledge, skills, and experience. Myrna and I feel strongly about teachers and their significant role.”
Wild Horse Children’s Theater is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. They believe in making theater accessible to all children regardless of race, skill level, cognitive differences or ability to pay. Their goal is to provide a quality arts program in a nurturing environment that fosters building relationships and empowering children while developing character through mutual respect and collaboration.