April 10, 2023
Austin Playhouse is presenting a staged reading of KEYS, a musical for young audiences with book by faculty member Roxanne Schroeder-Arce and music and lyrics by alumna Jenn Hartmann Luck (M.F.A. 2011).
Geared towards audiences between the ages of six and ten, KEYS features live music performed on stage by the actors. The new musical centers on the accomplishments young people can achieve if they believe in themselves. Austin Playhouse's reading is commissioned by the Magik Theatre in San Antonio, with support from The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities and UTeach Theatre areas. It was previously workshopped through New York University Steinhardt Educational Theatre's New Plays for Young Audiences Series.
Austin Playhouse's staged reading features multiple UT Theatre and Dance artists, including:
- Joseph Dailey (B.F.A. 2013) - performing as "Mr. Harley"
- Indya McKnight (B.F.A. 2022) - performing as "Ensemble 1"
- Katya Lopez (current B.F.A. in Acting student) - performing as "Ensemble 2"
- Nathan Ramos (current UTeach Theatre student) - performing as "Ensemble 3"
- Leila Rabah (current B.A. in Theatre and Dance student) - stage manager
- Lily Odekirk (M.F.A. candidate in the Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities area) - dramaturg
- Mateo Hernandez (M.F.A. candidate in the Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities area) - dramaturg
- Roxanne Schroeder-Arce (faculty member) - playwright
- Jenn Hartmann Luck (M.F.A. 2011) - composer and musical director
The performance will take place at 2:00 p.m. on April 30, 2023, followed by a brief talkback led by dramaturgs Mateo Hernandez and Lily Odekirk. The company will also perform KEYS at a local elementary school on May 1, 2023.
Click here to learn more about Austin Playhouse's staged reading of KEYS.
