OU Peggy V. Helmerich School of Drama Alumni Prepare to Work on Broadway With Productions Returning This Fall
Adam Honoré (’15) is one of the OU alumni now working on Broadway, eagerly preparing for its long-awaited reopening.
As Broadway begins its preparations for a fall reopening after over a year of waiting due to COVID-19 suspensions, several alumni of the Peggy V. Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma are preparing to return to work in live theatre in a variety of Broadway productions.
“Broadway, as it re-emerges from the most prolonged blackout of its history, is filled with a combination of uncertainty and the promise of new beginnings,” stated Helmerich School of Drama director Seth Gordon. “And when it does re-emerge, several of these productions will have OU Drama alumni making important contributions.”
The lineup of several alumni working on Broadway this fall includes:
Adam Honoré, B.F.A. in Drama, with emphasis in Lighting Design ('15), is making his Broadway design debut as the lighting designer for the upcoming comedy production Chicken and Biscuits. Performances begin Sept. 23 at the Circle in the Square Theatre. Honoré is the first OU School of Drama alum to officially head the lighting design of a Broadway production.
Brad Gray, B.F.A. in Drama; with emphasis in Lighting Design (’12), is the moving light programmer for three of Broadway’s hit productions: The Lion King, returning to the Minskoff Theatre on Sept. 14; Jagged Little Pill, with performances starting Sept. 21 at the Broadhurst Theatre; and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, with performances returning on Sept. 24 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
Michael Cole, B.F.A. in Drama, with emphasis in Lighting Design (’11), is the associate lighting designer for Caroline, or Change. The Roundabout Theatre Company revival production has its previews beginning on Oct. 8 at the Studio 54.
Kirk Fitzgerald, B.F.A. in Drama, with emphasis in Lighting Design (’11), is the assistant lighting designer for Mrs. Doubtfire, with performances currently scheduled to resume on Oct. 21 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Fitzgerald will also be working on the upcoming MJ The Musical, with performances scheduled to begin on Dec. 6 at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Nate Putnam, B.F.A in Drama, with emphasis in Sound Design (’07), is the head of sound for the upcoming Diana: The Musical. With performances beginning Nov. 2 at the Longacre Theatre, Diana: The Musical will premiere as a special presentation on Netflix on Oct. 1, two months ahead of its Broadway debut.
“We are very focused on the future of the American theatre at the Helmerich School of Drama and, clearly, Broadway producers are seeing how our program is turning out students who can help them achieve their goals,” Gordon said.
This article was originally published by the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts.
Article Published: Wednesday, August 11, 2021