Broadway performer, and Artist-in-Residence, Mara Newberry Greer, will hold a dance workshop for students and community members this Saturday, August 18, from noon-1:30 p.m.  

 

The Theatre Program in the Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts welcomes Greer as their artist-in-residence for the 2018-2019 academic year.  She is a director/choreographer originally from Louisville, Ky. Greer graduated from the University of Michigan with her BFA in Musical Theatre and continued her career in New York City for almost a decade. She has performed on Broadway, National Tours and Regional Theaters across the country. 

 

As a director and/or choreographer, Greer has worked at Paper Mill Playhouse, Music Theatre Wichita, Sacramento Music Circus, Seattle 5th Avenue, North Shore Music Theatre, Lexington Theatre Company, Fulton Theatre, Gateway Playhouse, and Pittsburgh CLO.  Her work has included Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone, Guys and Dolls, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Christmas Story, Shrek, The Music Man, Toxic Avenger, 9 to 5, and Matilda. 

 

In addition to providing workshops and master classes for students in the school of Fine Arts, Greer will be directing and choreographing the Fairmont State University production of "The Addams Family," a musical comedy based on the cartoons by Charles Adams. The performances of "The Addams Family" run October 26, 27, 28 and November 1, 2 and 3.  There will be two school-day performances for local schools.

 

The Artist-in-Residence Program at Fairmont State University is designed to enhance the academic and curricular arts programs of the University, provide the opportunity for faculty development and growth and provide a valuable intellectual and cultural resource for the community. The program is made possible by an annual stipend from the Fairmont State Foundation, Inc.

 

Successful residency programs have been provided in recent years by British musician Emma Peake, stage director Jeffrey Ingman, poet Maggie Anderson, sculptor Wayne Trapp; the late local jazz legend, Johnnie Johnson. Residencies have included mentoring of Fairmont State University students, well-received performances and exhibitions for the college and community and workshops for public school students and teachers.