CLARTTH008 - Star Quality: Broadway's Greatest Performers
From the dazzling dancing of Gwen Verdon to the stirring baritone of Alfred Drake, from the hilarious antics of Nathan Lane to the powerhouse energy of Patti LuPone, from stage and screen sensation Chita Rivera to the multitalented Audra McDonald, this course explores the work and lives of the greatest stars of the American musical theater. It takes an unusual and profound talent to create the lead roles in the best Broadway shows, and these uniquely gifted performers have achieved the pinnacle of success in Broadway musicals. Through video clips of their most iconic performances and anecdotes of their personal and professional lives, discover what made each of these actors worthy of the title “Broadway star.” Includes a special virtual guest appearance from Kanisha Feliciano, Rice alum and Broadway star .
Course Details
Debra Dickinson, M.A., was the artist-teacher of opera studies for acting and movement at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music for nearly three decades, directing 25 productions for the Department of Opera Studies. She was a professional singer and actress in New York for 15 years before starting her career as a director. She performed with Richard Burton on Broadway in “Camelot” and as Guenevere opposite Richard Harris in the subsequent national tour. Ms. Dickinson has taught master classes for Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ebony Opera, served as the acting instructor for Glimmerglass Festival, Brevard Opera and Chautauqua Opera, and was the recipient of the Marcus Bailey and Betty Graves Shelfer Eminent Scholar Chair in Music Theatre at Florida State University. Ms. Dickinson holds an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a graduate degree from Hunter College in New York City.
On campus
This course will be delivered on campus/in person. Classroom and parking information will be sent prior to your course start date.
- Classical Voices
- That Broadway Sound
- Movie Stars on Broadway
- Dancers
- Larger Than Life
- Always Wonderful
- The Legacy Continues—Today’s Stars