03/26/2025
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Steubenville City Schools
Broadway Coming to SHS for Workshop
STEUBENVILLE- Broadway is coming to Steubenville High School as actors and officials take part with students in a special masterclass this Friday.
The SHS Thespians will host the Broadway Dreams Theater Workshop from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the school auditorium with a masterclass featuring actor William Egypt Franklin, who portrayed Lafayette in the touring production of the smash hit, “Hamilton,” along with press agent Ryan Rattelle and Broadway Dreams CEO Annette Tanner. Franklin will lead a dance and movement class for students while he, Rattelle and Tanner will give participants insight in a subsequent question-and-answer session.
Broadway Dreams is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Alpharetta, Ga., that is dedicated to providing life-changing musical theater training, access to Broadway professionals and a global support network to break barriers and make the arts accessible to talented young performers, regardless of their socioeconomic background. The workshops provide performance training, life skills and mentorship opportunities from the entertainment industry’s most distinguished talents. Since 2006, Broadway Dreams has conducted programs in over 50 countries and reached more than 20,000 students worldwide. More than $1.5 million in schoolarships have been disbursed during that time while 150 students have made their debut on Broadway and in national tours.
Adviser Scott Wolodkin said thespians from SHS and Harding Middle School will participate in the session.
“We have 50 high school students who are in Thespians that are actors and technicians, as well as 45 Harding drama students who will participate as well,” he said. “This is a new event. The theater department at the high school and middle school are very excited to have this event and hope this can be a stepping point to adding many more opportunities for the students. One of our middle school students attended a summer intensive last summer and had an amazing time and we are hoping to have many more students participate.”
He thanked Chris Haskins Roberts, a Broadway Dreams board member and Steubenville native who sponsored the workshop, saying her father Bob was a beloved teacher, coach and director in Steubenville City Schools for many years.
“She values her hometown and the performing arts, thus bringing us this rare opportunity. serves on the board of directors of Broadway Dreams. We are so excited to launch this relationship with Broadway Dreams and our cherished hometown of Steubenville. We know this will bring many opportunities in the future!"
Both Wolodkin and HMS Thespians Adviser Abby Macre were excited for the opportunity to bring a taste of the Great White Way to the school.
"We are very excited for the students to get to participate in an event like this. We have a strong theater commitment from the students so giving them the opportunity to experience a workshop like this helps elevate our program,” Wolodkin added. “We are grateful to Mrs. Macre and Chris (Haskins) Roberts for including Steubenville in this opportunity."
“Annette Tanner, founder and CEO, and the whole Broadway Dreams community are nurturing, challenging, exciting and inspiring. After spending a week around them this summer, I know this is an organization that aligns with our mission in our theater department here in Steubenville City Schools,” Macre said.
A few students who most recently appeared in the school’s spring production of
“Newsies” were thrilled to get their chance to learn from the workshop.
“It’s a good opportunity in a small town and exciting to talk to people who are members of the Broadway industry. I am also very excited to learn from those involved with Broadway since this is something I am very interested in post high school,” said junior Anthony Pearce.
“It gives me hope that I could also achieve a job to that scale, and also that a native Ohioian will be here to present a dance/movement workshop for us,” added senior Trymia Mayo.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get more dance experience and spend time with professionals working in the industry,” noted senior Nina Holt.
“I’m excited to learn new skills and also have the opportunity to have Broadway professionals here at Big Red,” concluded freshman Kyle Coladonato.
(Photo Caption:
The Steubenville High School Thespians will host Broadway Dreams for a masterclass and workshop this Friday. Professionals will lead a dance and movement class and provide insight on being part of the Great White Way. Pictured are SHS students in the spring production of “Newsies,” who will also take part in the workshop session.
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