Two of Mahwah's Own Performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse

By Debra Chuck

This past weekend the Paper Mill Playhouse presented 120 of the of the region’s most talented young performing artists from Paper Mill Playhouse’s Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory, including Mahwah’s own Sam Chuck and Colten Maurer, in a fully produced, original concert on the Paper Mill mainstage titled New Voices of 2014: Oh, What a Night! The concert has been described as a phenomenally successful tribute to the magical and unforgettable moments of the American musical.

Members of the competitive Conservatory who earned coveted spots (over 400 auditioned for the 120 spots!) in the Senior, Junior Plus, and Junior Companies, ages 10–18, were directed and choreographed by Paper Mill Playhouse’s professional artistic staff in this concert, which was a culmination of the five-week program.

On top of the performances, students spent the past five weeks for five hours a day in class studying dance, acting and musical theater scenes, and audition and performance techniques. In addition, they have had weekly voice lessons, master classes and workshops in areas such as stage combat and improvisation, and a visit with Telly Leung of the Paper Mill’s recent production of “Grease” and Fox’s “Glee.” The program’s alumni include Anne Hathaway, Laura Benanti, Rob McClure and Nikki M. James.

To learn more about the Paper Mill Playhouse, located in Milburn, visit: www.papermill.org