Senior music major Provence Hatfield enjoys playing the piano while in a practice room in the Ralph R. Pottle Music Building. She is on her way to making her dream of being on Broadway become a reality by partaking in an Open Jar Institute program in the upcoming fall.
The Lion's Roar/Elizabeth Brown
Many theatre lovers often dream of one day having their shining moment in the lights on Broadway. One student in particular, senior music major Provence Hatfield, is taking one step further to make that dream come true.
Having recently participated in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) and finished as one of the 14 Music Theatre Initiative (MTI) finalists, Hatfield captured the attention of representatives from the Open Jar Institute who were present at the festival. According to Hatfield, they contacted her two days after, telling her to audition for their program.
According to openjarinstitute.com, the Open Jar Institute is a Broadway-integrated training program for actors located in New York City and “provides select students and professionals the most intensive one-on-one training with working Broadway professionals.” She auditioned, then was accepted for this upcoming fall’s residency program and is thankful for the opportunity to be able to further her passion.
“I’m really excited,” said Hatfield. “It’s all happening so fast I just don’t know how to process it. It’s a big deal for me as a person because this is my dream. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to sing on Broadway. This school will open so many doors to start working and performing in New York.”
She is also thankful for the skills she has gained up to this moment while at the university.
“I’ve been at Southeastern for five years,” said Hatfield. “Over these five years, I’ve received the training to get me to this moment. As a student at Southeastern, this is huge. There are not a lot of students in the music department who actually get to pursue this type of dream.”
As part of this eight-week program, she will receive training in singing, dancing and acting beside several members of the Broadway community. She will also attend classes and workshops, learn how to prepare for what it takes in the theatre environment, including auditions, under the guidance of a mentor and gain exposure to the community. After the program, she will perform in a showcase in front of several agents and casting directors in New York which could allow her to continue fulfilling her dream.
In preparation for the program, Hatfield plans to hold a benefit concert in May to help raise the funds needed to partake in the program. The exact date, time and location for the concert are to be answered. She also has a gofundme page open for donations at gofundme.com/ts7575g4.
Senior music major Provence Hatfield poses in front of Ralph R. Pottle Music Building.
The Lion's Roar/Elizabeth Brown