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.

Auditions are February 22, and the program runs from June 22 – July 4, 2020. Click here to reserve your audition spot and learn more!

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

Matthew Gardiner

Associate Artistic Director, Signature Theatre, Overtures Class of 2004

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 A Chorus Line, Billy Elliot, Passion and many more.

Nick Blaemire

Actor in FX’s Fosse/Verdon, Broadway’s Godspell, Crybaby, Chicago Production of The SpongeBob SquarePants Musical, National tour of Falsettos, Overtures Class of 2004

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, Overtures Class of 2014

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 also recently appeared 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, Overtures Class of 2010

Tim Rogan

Tim Rogan has acted in regional theatre productions across the country. Tim made his Arena Stage debut starring as Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game. He’s also starred as Prince Henry in Ever After at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, 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

Lead in Signature’s Spunk, Overtures Class of 2013

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 (LA Premiere of Found, 5th Avenue’s Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion)
Gabi Stapula (Arena Stage’s The Pajama Game, The Muny’s Newsies, Overtures 2012)
Florrie Bagel (Roundabout Theatre Company’s The Rose Tattoo, National tour of Sister Act, The New Group’s Jerry Springer – The Opera)
Michael Mainwaring (Round House Theatre’s Spring Awakening, Signature Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Olney Theatre Center’s In the Heights, Overtures 2012)
Kyle Schliefer (Arena Stage’s Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, Overtures 2008)
Emily Zickler (Studio Theatre’s Carrie, Overtures 2013)
Aaron Reeder (The Metropolitan Opera’s Porgy & Bess, Studio Theatre’s Passing Strange, Signature Theatre’s Showboat, Overtures 2004)
Ian Anthony Coleman (Signature’s Grand Hotel, National Tour of Amazing Grace the Broadway Musical, Arena Stage’s Oliver!, Overtures 2014)
Tiziano D’Affuso (Ford’s Theatre’s Into the Woods, Overtures 2014)
Derrick Truby (Folger Theatre’s Merry Wives of Windsor, Overtures 2017)
Adelina Mitchell (Signature Theatre’s Gun & Powder, Overtures 2018)
Lawrence Hailes (Signature Theatre’s A Chorus Line, Overtures 2014)
Chani Werely (Round House Theatre’s Spring Awakening, Overtures 2014)
Sean Watkinson (Signature Theatre’s Billy Elliot, Round House Theatre’s Spring Awakening, Overtures 2013)
Michael Mejia (Motion Pictures of In the Heights and West Side Story, Overtures 2006)
Shayna Blass (Signature Theatre’s Freaky Friday, The Mystery of Love & Sex, Overtures 2010)
Brittany Baratz (North Shore Music Theatre’s Sunset Boulevard, Shakespeare Theatre’s The Secret Garden, Overtures 2010)
Korinn Walfall (Signature’s Ain’t Misbehavin’, Jesus Christ Superstar, Overtures 2011)