On Friday, January 24^th, three cast members in the Broadway musical Wicked (playing in Columbia from January 22^nd to February 9^th at the Koger Center for the Arts) visited Hammond School. They offered three workshops – Broadway dance, improv, and singing – which students could sign up for and attend during the school day. The program gave students a unique chance to work with and ask questions of musical theater professionals.

“After I finished singing, [actor Matt Densky] came up and talked to me while also talking to the crowd and explaining his critiques,” reported junior Sanders Bethea, who attended the Broadway vocals workshop and got an opportunity to perform for Densky, a member of the Wicked ensemble and understudy for Boq.

By and large, students found the workshops meaningful and helpful.

“He can’t fix vocals in fifteen minutes, but he [helped] fix how I presented myself. It was a lot of character work, and [asking questions] about how at this moment, what am I singing about? Why am I having these emotions?” Sanders said.

Sara Gonzales, an ensemble member and understudy for Madam Morrible, led the improv workshop.

“Theater gives people an opportunity to express themselves in an avenue [where] they may not feel comfortable normally. I love that Wicked [provided] the opportunity to come and show that the stage is a place for you to feel comfortable to be your most authentic self and to bring that into a character,” Gonazales said.