Krissy Brown, Arts Council Art Education Director, earned the Freddie G Fellowship, which allows selected theater instructors to study in New York. Ambassador Ava Hess had two honors: Outstanding Performance by an Individual for her role as Olaf in the Ambassadors’ production of “Frozen, Jr.” and was named a Performance All-Star along with Andrew Hunt. Also, Angelique LeMaster got a callback for a choreography video.
“Overall, it was a great experience. Last year we were nervous and this time I felt more like the kids could really enjoy the experience,” said Brown.
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There were 47 Ambassadors and chaperones. The Ambassadors performed their version of “Frozen, Jr.”, participated in various workshops, learned from experienced stage performers, met their peers from other programs and enjoyed being together.
The individual recognitions were a nice bonus. Brown applied for the Freddie G Award last fall and had a phone interview by a panel, but with several applicants from two festivals vying for eight slots, it wasn’t a given.
“I was definitely surprised. I was not expecting it,” she said.
The Fellowship gives Brown an all-expenses-paid trip to New York this summer for a week of professional development, seminars and master classes with Broadway professionals. It also includes a $5,000 prize to enhance Arts Council youth programs.
“I am very proud of Krissy’s dedication and continued development of our youth program, which serves to enhance the Springfield Arts Council’s mission and bring our programs to a new generation,” said Arts Council executive director Tim Rowe.
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There were 15 kids named outstanding performers. “Frozen, Jr.” was only the third show for Hess, who attends Global Impact STEM Academy, so she was definitely surprised for that distinction, but Brown was less so, knowing her skills.
“Ava acts completely from the heart, she’s feeling her characters. Her energy is so on all the time, she just lights up the whole room,” Brown said.
Their all-star recognition allowed Hess and Hunt to work with theater professionals, who taught them a new dance and song they performed with fellow all-stars in front of festival attendees.
“My room was in the same hallway as Andrew’s and when he heard the news he went screaming and running down the hallway, he was so shocked,” Brown said.
Brown was also pleased for LeMaster, a Miami East student and longtime Ambassador and veteran of most of the program’s Broadway Jr. shows. She’ll find out in March if she gets the callback for the choreography DVD, which gathers a select group of attendees who show off their skills with various dances and songs.
“It felt like they really belonged there,” Brown said of the overall experience.
Local audiences can see the Youth Arts Ambassadors’ live during their next production, “The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet,” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28-29 at the John Legend Theater.
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