Julia Leitao
  • Early Childhood Education/Theatre
  • Class of 2018
  • New Britain, CT

Julia Leitao Performs Off-Broadway in Eastern's NYC Showcase

2017 May 30

Brand-new graduates and select students from the theatre program at Eastern Connecticut State University brought their skills to New York City for the program's annual NYC Showcase. On May 21-22 at the Producers' Club Crown Theatre, 13 students (some of them now alumni) acted or worked behind the scenes in "Scenes, Songs, and Monologues 2017."

Directed by Jerry Winters, the production was a compilation of short works, including contemporary and classical texts, original dance and songs from Broadway musicals. "Scenes, Songs, and Monologues 2017" was performed by an ensemble of nine actors who played multiple parts.

Among the participants was Julia Leitao '18 of New Britain who played Woman in Christopher Durang's "Laughing Wild" and Georgia in Teresa Rebeck's "Spiked Heels." Leitao performed in a dance piece as well. Leitao majors in Early Childhood Education and Theatre.

In addition to presenting two public performances at the Producers' Club Crown Theatre, Eastern participants attended "War Paint," a Broadway show; participated in a movement workshop led by actor/director Danyon Davis; and toured the Lincoln Center Performing Arts Library, the Fashion District, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum.

The NYC Showcase was started in 1994 by Theatre Professor Ellen Faith Brodie. The event brings advanced theatre students and faculty to New York City at the end of the academic year to participate in an intensive tour that includes performance at an off-Broadway venue, theatre workshops led by professional NYC artists, tours of graduate schools, networking with industry professionals, and tours of Broadway theatres and other venues.