CMT San Jose
 | |
| Type | Theater Organization |
|---|---|
| Founder | John P. Healy |
| Founding Date | 1968 |
| Artistic Director | Kevin R. Hauge |
| managing director | Dana Zell |
| Location | San Jose, California |
| Theaters Used | Montgomery Theater |
| Number of Seasons | 56 |
CMT San Jose (Children's Musical Theater San Jose) founded in 1968 as Cabrini Community Theater, is a performing arts organization based in San Jose, California.
One of the largest youth musical theater and training programs in the US, the organization produces eleven full-scale musicals per year, in addition to classes, workshops, and summer camps. Nine of their productions cast every child who auditions in three different age groupings from the ages of 7–20. Two are showcases for more professional performers who donate their time and talents to benefit the organization.[1]
CMT is the oldest performing arts organization in San Jose. It was the first non-professional company in the country to stage the musicals Aida and Miss Saigon, and the first to produce a number of others on the West Coast including A Christmas Carol, Billy Elliot, Sister Act and American Idiot. The company has earned 12 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and as of 2024 has put on over 400 musical theater productions.[1][2]
History[edit]
In 1968, John P. Healy started the Cabrini Community Theater (CCT) at age 17 from a touring group of 15 friends known as the "Entr’actes".[3] By the early 1970s, the CCT started a branch specific for youth named the San Jose Children's Musical Theater, which became the name for the entire organization within a few years. Healy directed, choreographed, musically directed and designed most of the 150 shows produced by CMT until he left in 1982.[4]
Michael Mulcahy was brought on as CMT's first executive director in 1993. In 1996 Mulcahy hired Kevin R. Hauge to be the company's first full-time Artistic Director. Hauge continues in this role today and by many accounts has increased the production value of the organization's performances.[5]
In 2001, the organization changed its name to Children's Musical Theater San Jose.
In 2016, Artistic Director Kevin Hauge received an honorable mention by the Tony Awards for Excellence in Theater Education.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, CMT Mainstage rehearsed and performed In the Heights remotely.[6] In the following year shows were held outdoors.
Alumni[edit]
Broadway performers[edit]
- Alex Brightman – School of Rock, Beetlejuice[7]
- Myha'la – The Book of Mormon[8]
- Ryan Vasquez – The Notebook, Hamilton[9]
- Megan Masako Haley – Wicked, Mean Girls[10]
- Aaron J. Albano – Newsies, Cats, Aladdin[10]
- Isabella Esler – Beetlejuice[7]
- Dennis O’Bannion – White Christmas[11]
Other alumni[edit]
- Teri Hatcher – actress, singer[12]
- Kate Walsh – actress, businesswoman[12]
- Jason Jurman – actor[13]
- D. C. Douglas – actor, voice actor[14]
- Anna Maria Perez de Tagle – actress[10]
- Jennifer Cihi – singer, actress[15]
- Darren Korb – songwriter, composer, voice actor[16]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "About". CMT San Jose – Children's Musical Theater. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "CMT San Jose – Children's Musical Theater San Jose". CMT San Jose – Children's Musical Theater.
- ^ "S.J. arts director fondly remembered". The Mercury News. 30 August 2007.
- ^ "JPH Obituary". www.sjcmt.net.
- ^ "How Children's Musical Theater built a cast of thousands". The Mercury News. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "CMT holds virtual rehearsals for performers sheltering in place". The Mercury News. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b December 13, David John Chávez. "Bay Area teen puts goth angst to work in 'Beetlejuice' musical". Datebook | San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Getting to Know The Book of Mormon's Myha'la Herrold". El Observador.
- ^ "Hamilton star from San Jose offers sage advice". The Mercury News. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Impact Report 2023". CMT San Jose – Children's Musical Theater.
- ^ Chávez, David John (6 December 2013). "Home-grown choreographer returns for CMTSJ's 'White Christmas'". Bay Area Plays.com.
- ^ a b "40 years of Broadway musicals". The Mercury News. 26 June 2008.
- ^ "Jason Jurman Obituary (1979–2014) – Legacy Remembers". Legacy.com.
- ^ "D.C. Douglas Credits: Stage/Theatre Resume". dcdouglas.com.
- ^ "CMTSJ Alumni: Paula Benedetti Danner: from Children's Musical Theater to touring company of Annie". CMTSJ Alumni. 19 February 2010.
- ^ Matt Roben (6 April 2020). "Composer Darren Korb". What Can You Tell Me (Podcast). Retrieved 31 May 2024.