"Strictly Sondheim 2" features a few guest alumni. Here's what they've been up to:
Monday, April 29, 2013 at 8:22PM YMTC values the lifecycle of the artist. We strive to be a place to which our performers can return throughout their artistic lives. In recent years, our alumni have come back to be actors, assistant directors, workshop teachers and choreographers in our productions.
YMTC's artistic STAFF have devoted their lives and work to their respective crafts, and they bring these high standards to all of the students that grow up and learn their craft here.
In our upcoming concert Strictly Sondheim 2, a YMTC fundraiser to support our tuition assistance fund, you can witness these two elements coming together. Three YMTC alumni -- Mark Krey, Simone Kertesz, and Z Hansen -- were invited to join YMTC Directors, Jennifer Boesing and David Möschler in the performance of songs from the musicals of Stephen Sondheim. The CONCERTS will take place on Saturday, May 4, at 5pm and 8pm at a private home in Berkeley. We are so excited to welcome them back and to have them play a part in supporting YMTC's current and future students.
Here are their stories:
MARK KREY
“My time at YMTC was important for me, because it was the first time I had been taken seriously as an artist. Growing up in the East Bay and participating in the musicals at my high school was fun, however we were still being treated like kids. When I met Jennifer and began acting in YMTC productions, I felt a responsibility to tell a story as if it were the first time the story had ever been told, and that responsibility came from the profound respect she and everyone involved at YMTC gave to the young artists, like myself, who wished to express themselves through musical theater.”
Mark Krey (Marc Maynon) performed in many early YMTC shows, including the roles of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, Tony in West Side Story, and Jesus in Godspell. Since graduation from UCLA with a degree in Theatre, he has acted in 16 short independent films as well as held starring and supporting roles in 4 feature length independent films, one of which which headlined The Queens World Film Festival (2012) in New York 100 Proof. He has acted in two web series as well as held a supporting role on the Discovery Channel ID show I Almost Got Away With It. He has released 3 EPs as well as 1 LP and a live album of his own original music. He's presently putting together another band with his brother Josh Krey, another YMTC alumnus, and he is always writing his own music and going out on auditions. In May he will be shooting a supporting role in a Academy of the Arts short film called Tap Dancer and also shooting a supporting role in a independent feature length film called Black Mirror.
SIMONE KERTESZ
“YMTC opened my eyes to the world of musical theater and taught me how to be an artist. It taught me how to be a respectful, creative individual with an understanding of how to conduct myself on a professional level. It provided me with a tool set that served me well in college and now as I begin my professional career. There is a certain magic that is inherent in YMTC, and the joy that I experience when I’m working with YMTC is like no other. I have made lifelong friendships and professional connections. But, most of all, I feel that YMTC has provided me with a community that will always welcome me with open arms.
“Since graduating from Berkeley High School, I have been busy. One year ago I graduated from CSU Chico with a degree in Musical Theater. Since graduating from college I've had the wonderful opportunity of performing in the new musical The Fourth Messenger which premiered at the Ashby Stage. This summer I will be in San Jose Stage Company’s Reefer Madness. I feel very lucky to have had such an amazing year professionally and there is no doubt in my mind that YMTC will always play a role in that.” Simone worked with YMTC from its early beginnings and played many roles through the years. Some favorites include Aldonza in Man of La Mancha, Fantine in Les Miserables, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Cinderella in Into the Woods.
Z HANSEN
“Performing in shows year round with YMTC, and knowing that there is always a company I could rely upon to put on tremendous show after tremendous show has given me enough of a push to pursue a future in theatre. YMTC opened my eyes to the onstage world of musical theatre like no other association or experience had or has yet. I feel truly lucky to have had the opportunity to work alongside brilliant actors, musicians, and directors.”
Since graduation from Albany High School, Z is completing his freshman year at CSU Chico with a major in Musical Theatre. He has performed in nine YMTC productions. Favorite roles include Moonface in Anything Goes, Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, Father in Ragtime and Arab in West Side Story. At CSU Chico he has performed in two productions, The Fix and 12 Ophelias, as well as a student-directed one-act, and he tours with a musical theatre ensemble, The Off Broadways. He is looking forward to taking part in YMTC’s summer production of Sweeney Todd.
