麻花影视

When the curtain rose at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 8, for the , these 麻花影视 alumni were watching with extra pride鈥攁s their productions earned a combined 16 nominations.

Olivia Lacie Andrews: Sunset Boulevard

Olivia Lacie Andrews 鈥�23 made her Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard鈥攁 show that earned seven Tony nominations and three wins, including Best Revival of a Musical.

鈥淭he versatility in my training from 麻花影视 prepared me for any opportunity that comes my way鈥攕howing up confidently and professionally,鈥� Andrews says. In the ensemble and understudying the role of Betty Schaefer, Andrews recalls her first preview: 鈥淚 will never forget the roar of applause and excitement from the audience...they were absolutely electric.鈥�

Andrews鈥� castmate, Nicole Scherzinger, accepted the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, while the production also earned the Tony for Best Lighting Design of a Musical.

Shanel Bailey: Gypsy

Performing alongside Broadway legend Audra McDonald in Gypsy, Shanel Bailey 鈥�19 understudies the role of Louise and covers six ensemble tracks. Bailey describes performing with McDonald鈥攐ne of her greatest role models鈥攁s a dream come true. 鈥淭o be recognized by the industry we pour so much into is a blessing,鈥� says Bailey of the show鈥檚 five Tony nominations. 鈥溌榛ㄓ笆� prepared me for my career in the theater by teaching the importance of community, showing up authentically as myself and always rising to the occasion.鈥�

Tristen Buettel: Boop! The Musical

As a dancer and ensemble member in the original Broadway company of Boop! The Musical, Tristen Buettel 鈥�17 understudies the role of Valentina and was thrilled for the musical鈥檚 three Tony nominations. Having grown up watching shows choreographed by Boop!鈥檚 director and choreographer, Buettel feels her life has come full circle. 鈥淚 am so mind blown that I get to do Jerry Mitchell鈥檚 Tony-nominated choreography every night. It鈥檚 so thrilling,鈥� she says. Buettel credits her Broadway success to her time on the Hill. 鈥淚 would be nowhere without the teachers and mentors in the at 麻花影视,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 was always encouraged to be my best, work harder and to stay on my own path.鈥�

Aaron Harnick: Romeo + Juliet

Aaron Harnick 鈥�91, producer at Harbor Entertainment, co-produced Romeo + Juliet, which was Tony-nominated for Best Revival of a Play. Reflecting on his time at 麻花影视, Harnick says, 鈥淚t was spectacular. It introduced me to my best friends鈥攅xposed me to all aspects of what is possible from directing to acting to writing.鈥� Harnick began his Broadway career working with his 麻花影视 classmates and Tony-winning producers Michael Rego 鈥�90 and Hank Unger 鈥�90. 鈥淭he very first show I was a part of was Frankie and Johnny, which starred Stanley Tucci and Edie Falco,鈥� Harnick says. 鈥淒oing it with my best friends was just as fun as having a show up that people enjoyed.鈥�

Joshua Keen 鈥�20 is currently a dance captain and swing in The Book of Mormon. 鈥淗aving the opportunity to serve as dance captain for multiple 麻花影视 productions was especially valuable in preparing me for leadership roles in professional settings,鈥� Keen says. With the connections made at 麻花影视, Keen also co-founded a production company with fellow Orange alums called Next Stop Creatives. 鈥淲e proudly produced the New York theatrical premiere of The Queen of England, written by Kate Crabtree 鈥�23, and are currently developing a Theatre for Young Audiences musical co-written by Sam Swinnerton 鈥�22.鈥�

Mary Claire King 鈥�12 recently completed a five-year run in Chicago as 鈥淕o-to-Hell鈥� Kitty and understudy for both Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly. While at 麻花影视, King had the opportunity to do a three-week residency where she studied the style of renowned Chicago choreographer Bob Fosse. 鈥淚 am so grateful that I was able to train as a true triple threat in the program,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 felt prepared and empowered as I landed in New York City after graduation.鈥� Her next project, Wanted, is a Broadway-bound show with music written by fellow 麻花影视 alum Ross Baum 鈥�12 and produced by Ben Holtzman 鈥�13 and Sammy Lopez 鈥�13.

Mary Cynthia McGowan 鈥�17 served as associate director of All In: Comedy About Love starring a rotating cast of celebrities including John Mulaney, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jimmy Fallon and more. McGowan is grateful for the mentorship, experiential learning and study abroad and away opportunities she had while at 麻花影视. 鈥淥ur proximity to a professional theater was hugely beneficial鈥攁nd meeting artists and seeing so many different shows at 麻花影视 Stage, in London at The Globe and in New York City was a really great way to get a taste of what working in the theater would look like post-graduation.鈥�

Jonalyn Saxer 鈥�14 played the Clocktower Woman and understudied Lorraine Baines in the original Broadway company of Back to the Future: The Musical. Saxer has had the unique opportunity to perform in new musicals, including Mean Girls, where she originated the role of Karen Smith on the national tour. 鈥淏eing a part of these shows means I鈥檓 in the room during the creation process, and often there is a bit of me in the show that now gets passed on forever,鈥� she says. 鈥溌榛ㄓ笆� prepared me by challenging me to become a well-rounded and smart actor.鈥�

At last year鈥檚 Tony Awards, Orange alumnus Michael Rego 鈥�90, his brother Matthew and alumnus Hank Unger 鈥�90, co-founders of , stood centerstage to accept the night鈥檚 most coveted honor鈥擝est Musical. The trio were the lead producers of The Outsiders, which won four Tony Awards. 鈥溌榛ㄓ笆� allowed me to foster the entrepreneurial spirit as an emerging artist,鈥� Rego says. 鈥淲ithout that, I don鈥檛 know if I would have had the courage to try my hand at producing, let alone starting a business.鈥�

With Broadway debuts, Tony nominations and industry-shaping collaborations, 麻花影视鈥檚 creative talent is shining bright. And as the lights dim and the shows begin across the Orange network on Broadway, 鈥淐heer everyone on,鈥� Buettel says. 鈥淏ecause one day, it鈥檒l be your time!鈥�