Pasadena Musical Theatre Program registration opens April 1

The Pasadena Musical Theatre Program (PMTP) announced that for the first time, students in the summer session will perform in an original musical production, Jasper in Deadland. Written and directed by award-winning composer and lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver, the pop-rock musical is a featured event in the 2011 Festival of New American Musicals.

Oliver, who grew up in Sierra Madre and attended Pasadena Unified schools, is also writing the music for Disney’s upcoming musical, Freaky Friday. He is the Artistic Director for PMTP, a nonprofit musical theatre training program committed to bringing the highest quality in music and theatre education to students who live or attend school in Pasadena, Altadena or Sierra Madre.

"Jasper in Deadland represents the Pasadena Musical Theatre Program coming full circle," said Phil Hopkins, president of The Pasadena Musical Theatre Corporation's Board of Directors. "Our hope is that this is the first of many new musicals that will be written by PMTP alumni and premiered by our company.”

During the six-week summer program, students in 7th – 12th grades will participate in rehearsals and performances of Jasper in Deadland. Children in 4th-6th grades will perform in The Junior Follies, a combination of Broadway and Vaudeville classic songs, dances, and comedy routines. Selected students will also perform in an abridged version of Shakespeare’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

PMTP’s summer session takes place Monday through Friday, June 28-August 5 at Pasadena High School. This isn’t a theatre camp, but a unique performing arts educational program where students develop their skills and talent in acting, singing, and dance. PMTP’s teaching artists are all working theatre professionals.

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in conservatory style classes and master classes with Broadway performers.

“We love the work of Ryan Scott Oliver,” said the Tony award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. “He’s a fresh and talented new voice, and his songs are filled with wit, gusto, and melody.”

For information about The Pasadena Musical Theatre Program or to register for the summer session, visit www.pasadenamusicaltheatre.org. Priority registration takes place from April 1-May 1.

The Pasadena Musical Theatre Program...bringing high quality vocal music, theatre and dance education to children in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre since 1995. Visit us at www.pasadenamusicaltheatre.org.