This week on After the Bell, Frederick is joined by Dr. Amy S. Osatinski! Amy is currently an Associate Professor of Theatre History at the Oklahoma City University where she is the Head of the BA in Theatre Innovation & Entrepreneurship. From 2008 to 2013, Amy ran the nationally acclaimed drama program at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado. In addition to her work as a scholar and educator, Amy is a director, performer, and intimacy director.

Amy's first book, Disney Theatrical Productions: Producing Broadway Musicals the Disney Way, explores the production practices of the theatrical producing arm of the Walt Disney Corporation. Tune in today to hear about Amy's experiences writing this book and her work as an intimacy director, as well as what advice she has for high school theatre students (and their teachers).

For more information about Amy's work, visit here!

To follow Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg.

On today’s episode, we’re discussing the arrival of the Mouse on Broadway in the early 1990s. That’s right—in 1994, the Walt Disney Company headed to Times Square, bringing their stage adaptation of Beauty and the Beast with them. Only, they didn’t get the warm welcome they were expecting.

Today, we’ll dive into the history of Disney on Broadway as we take a look at Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s contributions to both the Walt Disney Company and the Great White Way.

For a transcript of today’s episode, click here.

To see more of Frederick’s dramaturgical adventures as the Musical Theatre Dramaturg, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.

On this week's episode of After the Bell, Kaitlin Riley joins Frederick to discuss the route she is carving for herself on her journey of being a musical theatre performer as well as sharing insights from her recent experience choreographing a production of Chicago: Teen Edition.

Tune in to hear Kaitlin's story, her history with Chicago, and what advice she has for our student listeners. Then, if you're in the Central PA area, make sure to catch Kaitlin as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Hershey Area Playhouse from October 17 - 27!

To follow Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg.

Today, we’re leaving behind the Midwest and heading to the seedy streets of 1920s Chicago! This 1975 musical was a collaboration between writers John Kander and Fred Ebb, and famed director-choreographer Bob Fosse. Inspired by the real-life courtroom experiences of journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago follows Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly as they fight for attorney Billy Flynn’s representation.

While Chicago may have flickered out in its initial Broadway run, it was revived literally and figuratively during a 1996 concert presentation at New York City Center. We’ll chat about this and more on today’s episode.

For a transcript of today’s episode, click here.

To see more of Frederick’s dramaturgical adventures as the Musical Theatre Dramaturg, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.

On today's episode, Frederick is joined by fellow Cumberland Valley High School alum Marlie Dietz as the two discuss collaborating on CV's 2022 production of FOOTLOOSE. This fall, Marlie will begin her BFA in Musical Theatre at Ohio Northern University!

Tune in as Marlie shares insight into her unique audition process for CV's FOOTLOOSE, what musical theatre means to her, and what advice she has for high schoolers on their own theatre journeys.

To follow more of Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg.

On today’s episode, we’re sticking with smalltown America as we head to Bomont for the 1998 stage adaptation of the beloved 1984 film, Footloose! This musical follows Ren McCormack and his attempts to overturn Bomont’s ban on public dancing. Along the way, he enlists the help of his classmates and falls in love with the daughter of the preacher responsible for the ban.

We’ll discuss the developmental history of Footloose, notable changes made to the show following its Broadway run, and what you can expect ahead of auditions.

For a transcript of today’s episode, click here.

To see more of Frederick’s dramaturgical adventures as the Musical Theatre Dramaturg, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.

This week on After the Bell, Frederick is joined by Becki Toth, an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to being an educator, Becki is a professional singer, actor, and director in the Pittsburgh area!

Tune in as the pair discuss Becki's journey to becoming the multi-hyphenate artist she is today, Becki's dynamic relationship with The Music Man, and what advice Becki has to give our high school listeners.

To follow more of Frederick's dramaturgical adventures, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg.

Today, we’re discussing Meredith Willson’s valentine to his hometown of Mason City, Iowa—The Music Man! Premiering on Broadway in 1957, The Music Man celebrates smalltown life and follows traveling salesman Harold Hill’s attempts to con the citizens of River City, Iowa.

This show is a staple of Broadway’s Golden Age and follows many of the conventions established by Rodgers and Hammerstein. On today’s episode, we’ll chat about the developmental history of The Music Man and its enduring legacy, as well as what you should know before auditioning.

For a transcript of today’s episode, click here.

To see more of Frederick’s dramaturgical adventures as the Musical Theatre Dramaturg, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.

On today's episode of After the Bell, Frederick is joined by Dr. Bryan M. Vandevender, an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Bryan is a theatre historian, director, and dramaturg, currently at work on a book project that addresses the American musical in revival.

Frederick and Bryan will discuss the musical of the week - Oklahoma! - as well as Bryan's career trajectory and interests in musical revivals. To learn more about Bryan's work, click here!

To follow more of Frederick's dramaturgical adventures as the MT Dramaturg, give him a follow on IG: @themtdramaturg.

On today’s episode, we’re looking at one of the most influential shows of the modern American musical. When this show burst onto the scene in 1943, audiences weren’t quite sure what to make of it. It opened without a flashy dance number and without a star. All the audience saw was an old woman churning butter and a painted backdrop full of cornfields.

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s iconic musical Oklahoma! follows cowboy Curly attempting to get farmgirl Laurey to go to the upcoming box social with him. A simple plot for a musical whose history is anything but simple. We’ll chat about Oklahoma!’s legacy and place in American history, as well as what you should know before your audition.

For a transcript of today’s episode, click here.

To see more of Frederick’s dramaturgical adventures as the Musical Theatre Dramaturg, give him a follow on Instagram @themtdramaturg.