Blog: Overtures Alums: Where are they now?

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Overtures is Signature Theatre’s two-week summer musical theater training program for college students and recent graduates.

Video audition submissions are due on Monday, March 11, and the program runs from June 17 – 29, 2019. Click here to learn more!

Catch up with several Overtures grads to see where this program can take you.

Matthew Gardiner

Associate Artistic Director, Signature Theatre

Matthew Gardiner

Matthew Gardiner is a key part of Signature’s artistic leadership team, and he’s directed and choreographed critically-acclaimed shows at theatres across the world. Gardiner got his professional start in the Overtures program while he was a student at Carnegie Mellon University, and he’s quickly become one of “DC’s hottest directors” (The Washington Post). His credits include Billy Elliot, Passion, Jelly’s Last Jam, Caroline, or Change at Round House Theatre, and many more.

Nick Blaemire

Actor in Broadway’s Godspell, Crybaby, Chicago Production of The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical, National tour of Falsettos

Nick Blaemire

Nick Blaemire is a Drama Desk Award-nominated Broadway actor, songwriter, screenwriter, and of course, Overtures alum. He credits Overtures with giving him important early connections in the business and for preparing him for the life of a professional actor.

Ryan Jamaal Swain

Featured in FX’s Pose, Broadway’s Choir Boy, Actor in National Black Theatre’s Kill Move Paradise

Ryan Jamaal Swain

Ryan Jamaal Swain is a writer, actor, and acting coach who has found great success on and off Broadway, and he’s currently a principal in Ryan Murphy’s musical drama Pose on FX. He is also currently appears in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy on Broadway. He was able to sharpen his skills and make connections all over the country as an Overtures participant.

Tim Rogan

Lead in Arena Stage’s The Pajama Game

Tim Rogan

Tim Rogan has acted in regional theatre productions across the country, and he’s currently starring in Ever After at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Tim recently made his Arena Stage debut starring as Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game. He’s also starred as Gaston in the National Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Chad in All Shook Up at the Muny in St. Louis, and Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at Casa Mañana in Fort Worth. Overtures got him noticed by DC area casting directors and led to jobs all over town, and he’s continuing to build an impressive stage career.

Ines Nassara

Dorothy in Ford’s The Wiz

Ines Nassara

Ines Nassara’s incredible jazz-inflected vocals have made her a sought-after performer in the DC area, and she recently starred as Dorothy in Ford’s Theatre’s production of The Wiz. She’s also a former Artist in Residence at Strathmore and a frequent cabaret performer at venues in New York City and across the area. Ines got her start in Overtures and in featured roles in Signature productions, including the world premiere of Crossing.

More Overtures Success Stories

Brianne Camp (Choreographer for The Walt Disney Company)
Jordan Kai Burnett (5th Avenue’s Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion)
Gabi Stapula (Arena Stage’s The Pajama Game, The Muny’s Newsies)
Florrie Bagel (National tour of Sister Act, The New Group’s Jerry Springer – The Opera)
Michael Mainwaring (Signature Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Olney Theatre Center’s In the Heights)
Kyle Schliefer (Arena Stage’s Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof)
Emily Zickler (Studio Theatre’s Carrie)
Aaron Reeder (Studio Theatre’s Passing Strange, Signature Theatre’s Showboat)
Ian Anthony Coleman (Signature’s Grand Hotel, National Tour of Amazing Grace the Broadway Musical, Arena Stage’s Oliver!