David Coolidge

The University of Findlay’s vocal music program will sponsor a Musical Theatre Audition Workshop, open to the public, at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the Egner Center for the Performing Arts, Room 004. The building is located on Frazer Street, behind the Alumni Memorial Union.

Professional actor, writer and director David Coolidge, of Findlay, will present a brief lecture on initial preparations for musical theatre auditions, which will be followed by a series of mock musical theatre auditions, using UF theatre students as subjects.

Coolidge is a 2000 musical theatre graduate from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM). Upon graduation, Coolidge was cast in the Broadway National Tour of “Parade,” directed by Hal Prince, and spent the next several years performing regionally and in Los Angeles, including in Jeff Calhoun’s critically acclaimed production of “Big River.”

In addition, Coolidge has worked in New York City as a director and playwright, directing six national tours for TheatreworksUSA and serving as the assistant artistic director. He also was assistant director for numerous professional productions, workshops and readings, most recently Lincoln Center’s annual gala honoring Disney’s president and CEO Robert Iger.
    
As a playwright, Coolidge’s work has been seen in NYC and surrounding areas. His children’s musical, “I Have A Dream,” was commissioned and produced by the Plainfield City School District in New Jersey. His one act play, “The SelFishies,” enjoyed an extended run in NYC and named a Finalist in the Strawberry One Act Festival.

Coolidge has served on an adjudication panel at American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, taught master classes on audition techniques at universities and performing arts high schools around the country, and has acted as a career coach for many young professional actors including Autumn Hurlbert, who was recently named runner-up for MTV’s “The Search for Elle Woods” and just joined the Broadway cast of “Legally Blonde.”

Those with questions may contact Micheal F. Anders, Ph.D., professor of music, at 419-434-4717.