CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The coronavirus nearly dashed the hopes of some graduating University of Cincinnati musical theater students, as their trip to meet agents and casting directors was canceled. But the show must, and is, going on.
For 27 years, UC's College-Conservatory of Music seniors have taken their show to New York City to perform in front of dozens of agents and casting directors in a performance called The Showcase. It's what helped launch the careers of UC alumni like Frozen's Noah Ricketts and Phantom's John Riddle.
"We've been thinking about it for years,” said Delaney Guyer, a UC theater arts senior. “We've had lists of songs we've wanted to do for years."
"It's just a lot of people,” agreed Madison Deadman, another UC theater arts senior. “To get an agent and be seen by the creative world in New York City."
Guyer and Deadman sat down with Local 12 to talk about the importance of the showcase and the disappointment when, a couple of weeks ago, COVID-19 dashed their dreams.
"They cut the trip off,” said Guyer. “They told us the showcase in New York was canceled."
So, all of that work that was done on campus would be for not -- or would it? As they say, as one door closes, another one opens.
"We wanted to make sure that COVID-19 didn't put a stop to their momentum but enhanced their experience of being introduced to the industry," said UC alum Chris Blem, of The Network, a digital agency for performing arts run with fellow UC alum Victoria Cook. He created a cyber-showcase online with fellow UC alum Joe Chisholm from Chisholm Designs.
When we spoke with Blem on Thursday, the showcase had been up and running for about 24 hours.
"All of the agents I saw were definitely the ones we were hoping for."
Agents like Justin Bohon, who actually helped coach the initial showcase, before it was called off. Now, he and other agents and directors can see the talent from the comfort of their offices.
"I'm already getting pretty awesome and amazing feedback from casting directors and agents of how helpful this is and how grateful they are," Bohon said.
"I got two emails from some great agents who say we're really interested in representing you,” Guyer said. “[They said] ‘Let's set up a FaceTime session so we can meet this week.’"
Deadman has also had calls with agents.
"One of them was like, 'Let's do it right now!' And I was like, 'Heck yeah! Let's do it right now!' and it went really well,” she bubbled. "Oh my gosh! Everything is happening right now. It’s a rush! A total rush!"
