Broadway’s Danny Zolli To Teach Master Class In Tampa

TAMPA, FL – Before the curtain rises on the New Tampa Players’ next production, a Broadway musical theater veteran will lead a master class that could help Bay area residents land a role.

In preparation for its upcoming performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, the New Tampa Players, in conjunction with the University Area Community Development Center, will present the Master Class with Danny Zolli on Saturday, March 11 from 2 to 5 p.m.

The class will take place at the University Area Community Development Center, located at 14013 N. 22nd Street in Tampa. Tickets for the class are $100 and are available at the New Tampa Players’ website at http://www.newtampaplayers.org.

The class is targeted toward juniors and seniors in high school and college students looking to major in theater arts, as well as actors throughout the Tampa Bay area who want to improve their skills.

Zolli was the star of 27 national and international productions and concerts of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. He was also the lead singer of The British Rock Symphony, The World Rock Symphony Orchestra and Niel Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway national concert tour.

This is not the first time an actor of Zolli’s magnitude has hosted a master class with the New Tampa Players, according to Doug Wall, the troupe’s president.

“Years ago we had a master class with Broadway composer/producer Neil Berg, veterans Rita Harvey, Robin Irwin and others,” Wall said. “We used to produce a Broadway summer camp for high school kids wanting to pursue the theater arts.”

Although Zolli has not taught a master class before with the New Tampa Players, he’s no stranger to the troupe. He’s been a perennial participant at the Broadway Comes to Tampa fundraiser, which helps keep the New Tampa Players active in the performing arts community.

Wall said having talent such as Zolli teach a Master Class for the New Tampa Players gives the troupe a sense of credibility.

“It lets actors in the Bay area know that we are well connected to the New York scene, and people can see what we’re all about at the same time.”

Topics covered in the master class are scheduled to include:

• Zolli’s experiences in the theater from a young age, his history with Jesus Christ Superstar and various other productions around the world, his experiences on Broadway and touring the world as a professional singer and actor
• Strategies on how to prepare for and complete a successful audition
• What an audition panel is looking for, what they are thinking and what separates a strong audition from a weak one
• Feedback on audition etiquette, the participants’ work and what to look out for in a simulated professional audition environment
• Strategies for what to do with the outcome of a successful or unsuccessful audition
• Basic methods for character development
• Basic methods for scene study, both musical and dramatic
• Philosophy for monologue choices, preparedness and execution
• Basic method for song selection, preparation, interpretation, performance and the power behind the lyric
• The power of networking
• The pros and cons of amateur vs. professional
• The differences between a hobbyist, a working actor and a star
• Where you are as an actor, where you want to be and where you can expect to be with diligence and drive
• Learning the ultimate tool of surviving the industry’s ups and downs

Participants who want to take part in the live audition experience should prepare two contrasting songs to audition with as well as a dramatic or comedic monologue no longer than two minutes. Due to limited time, some students may not be able to participate in the live experience. Priority will be given to those students who sign up first.

Jesus Christ Superstar is scheduled to open Friday, March 31 and run through Sunday, April 9. For more information, visit http://www.newtampaplayers.org.

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