Shenandoah Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 5

firsts @shenandoah Shenandoah Conservatory debuted the college premiere of “American Idiot” under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Theatre Jonathan Flom, M.F.A. Based on the GRAMMY® Award-winning album by Green Day, “American Idiot,” is a raucous and exhilarating rock musical about three disillusioned youths searching for freedom beyond suburban America. The groundbreaking rock opera finished its national tour in May 2014, with Shenandoah Conservatory holding the only license to produce the show at the nonprofessional level. Photos: Caleb Forsythe, Jason López and Scott Spriggs “We were thrilled to be the first venue to present the show after its Broadway and National Tour runs,” said Flom. “It goes hand-in-hand with the cutting-edge, contemporary training our theatre students receive at Shenandoah. We are further humbled by the generosity we received from the creatives who produced the original show, some of whom attended the premiere, and others, who sent their best wishes.” The production served as a collaborative effort between the conservatory’s music, theatre, dance and music production & recording technology departments. The commitment to pop/rock voice training excellence was further realized through the offering of multiple masterclasses and workshops for Shenandoah Conservatory students led by MaxTheatrix Broadway Audition Coach V.P. Boyle; “Rock the Audition” author, actor, singer and audition coach Sheri Sanders; “Zen of Screaming” vocal coach Melissa Cross; and choreographer and University of Alabama Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre/ Dance Stacey Alley, M.F.A. Masterclasses and workshops focused on dance and musical theatre, the theatre industry, acting techniques and auditions, and pop/rock vocal training and techniques. The red carpet was abuzz with excitement on Sept. 26, as Shenandoah Conservatory premiered the college debut of Green Day’s “American Idiot” under the direction of Associate Professor of Music Theatre Jonathan Flom, M.F.A. magazine 3