McCluer Theater Students Meet 'Dreamgirls' Cast at The Muny

Area high school theater students will get the chance of a lifetime Saturday when some students meet the professional cast and crew of Dreamgirls at The Muny.

After a successful run of Dreamgirls at and , 11 McCluer High School students will have the opportunity to meet professionals of the Muny production Saturday evening. The Cappies are a "Critics and Awards Program," a national critics and performers program that trains student performers and journalists on how to critique stage productions.

Earlier this year, McCluer received a $5,000 grant from the Arts and Education Council’s Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers for the production of Dreamgirls in their high school.

“It would have been impossible for us to do Dreamgirls without the grant,” Doug Erwin, director of speech and theater at McCluer High School and the fine arts coordinator, said in a press release. “The grant allowed me to hire a vocal coach to work with the students so they could learn the vocal styles of the '60s and '70s as well as a seamstress who could custom tailor costumes.”

In turn, the production has paid off in dividends for students. The production has led to more than $156,000 in scholarships for the high school cast and crew, including $1,000 for Cappie nominees and $2,500 additional for winners for scholarships to .

“I am thrilled to see how the investment Maritz made in partnership with the Arts and Education Council has provided students with greater access to higher education. It is wonderful to see these talented students being recognized and given the opportunity to pursue a future in the arts,” commented Cynthia A. Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council.

Saturday, the 11 students will be able to do a backstage tour of the Muny as well as a meet and greet with the Dreamgirls cast.

The Muny production runs through July 22.