Alex Brightman | Musical Theatre Scene Work | American Theatre Wing's Master Class Series

Streamed live from Asylum NYC, two-time Tony nominee Alex Brightman teaches a class on scene work in musicals. This class will focus on the do's and don'ts for acting when not singing, and how to bring your authentic self to classic musical theatre characters. #musicaltheatre
--About Master Class Artist, Alex Brightman--
Alex Brightman is a two-time Tony nominee for his titular performance in BEETLEJUICE and as “Dewey Finn” in SCHOOL OF ROCK. After making his Broadway debut in James Gardiner and Nick Blaemire’s GLORY DAYS, he has gone on to appear on Broadway in WICKED, BIG FISH and MATILDA as well as Off-Broadway in ASSASSINS (City Center Encores!), ALICE BY HEART (NYS&F) and NOBODY LOVES YOU (The Old Globe).
--About the American Theatre Wing's Master Class Series--
Our Master Class Series provides attendees with exclusive access to hear and learn from the titans of our theatre industry. Guests will range from top-tier Actors, Directors, Playwrights, Designers, and more! Attendees will have the opportunity to hear the many and vast ways to finding your way in the business with each featured artist sharing their unique journey and path to success as a creative.
For more information on the American Theatre Wing's Master Classes:
americantheatrewing.org/progr...

[@sondersighs]

This is incredible, I hope that if Alex decides to do another master class or share his wisdom that Im there to witness it in person. Thank you American Theater wing for still keeping this up, it has so many gems of wisdom.

[@firewheels90]

Dude... Alex Brightman brings it all to this Master Class. I love how naturally and simply he brings the concepts to the actors to elaborate on what they already have and where the scenes could possibly go.
Well done, everyone. This was fantastic to watch.

[@bigguynyah]

I love Alex! He’s incredible, and so are these lovely actors and scenes! Thank you all!!

[@juliasings6131]

This is really cool to look back on almost a year later. I was the one who asked the question about directing, and at the time, iirc, I had honestly just discovered what directing was. Up until that point, I wanted to act, and then I kind of got a sense of what directing was and I realized *oh, that sounds fun, I could be good at that!* And when I asked that question, I was still kind of trying to fully understand it. It was a great first perspective to have, looking back. I didn't even fully realize this as I was first watching your response, but now, with a year of understanding, practice (or as much as I can practice without a show to actually direct), etc, it's so obvious just how important collaboration is. Part of why directing is so appealing to me at this point is the collaboration. Take phantom of the opera. It's one of my favorite shows. I know it like the back of my hand, I've analyzed it a ton, I understand it as well as I can. But someday, whenever I get the opportunity to direct it, I'll get so many more people who also understand it, and their understanding might have led them to different conclusions than mine. I want that. I want us to be able to share our thoughts, take what we like, leave the rest, grow our understanding regardless, and use it all to ultimately put on a damn good show that does the material, actors, crew, etc, etc justice, because they're amazing and they deserve it
And I'm glad the idea of collaboration was presented to me so early on. Not that I wouldn't have gotten there anyway, necessarily, but having it put into my mind right away is so helpful
Basically, thank you for answering my question, it feels really good to have gotten that response from an actor that I love so much (I wish I could see Beetlejuice before it closes but alas that's not in the cards for me), especially so early on in my journey of discovering that I wanted to direct. And now, a year later, now that I'm so much more confident in who I am and my ability to succeed as a director, it just feels right to go back and give that thank you :)

[@Empoweredwoman1234]

Musical theater is NOT a lower class art form. In fact, the older musicals are not only classy, but offer a dynamic experience for everyone. Think Les Mis, Gypsy, and Chicago. It's the modern Disney rehashes and musicals made from trashy movie comedies that are lower class (not the actors, but the quality of the shows themselves). Producers apparently want dumb down audiences coz they don't want to finance real musicals like those written by Sondhiem or Chaude Michelle Shomberg. They just want quick bucks. Very sad for the next generation, as they're really missing out.