Musical Theatre Students Bring Belmont’s Work Ethic to Montana

How three students landed roles at one of the country’s most prestigious playhouses

Earning their Spot 

Each student chosen for this year’s cast first earned their position through a rigorous audition process. Several found their way to the theater through the Southeastern Theatre Conference, one of the largest unified audition conferences in the country that gives aspiring actors the opportunity to audition for many companies at the same time. Once an actor caught the eye of Bigfork, they were called back for another more specialized audition based on the Playhouse’s needs for this summer’s shows. 

“Being offered a cast position at the Playhouse is an absolute honor,” said junior musical theatre student Marco Tomás. “To be part of their long legacy truly means the world to me, and I'll never forget what they told me when I accepted my offer: ‘You won't be sorry.’ They were absolutely right.” 

From Belmont to Bigfork 

The cross training that musical theatre students receive at Belmont is designed to prepare them for any skill they might need across many kinds of shows. At a playhouse like Bigfork, with so many productions to prepare for, this kind of range is a prerequisite. 

“The well-rounded curricula of Belmont's musical theatre and dance programs prepared me to be successful in four very different shows,” said senior musical theatre major John Turelli. “For instance, “The Music Man” is written with a more traditional style of singing, whereas “Mean Girls” has a pop/rock sound. The dance technique training at Belmont, paired with my semester in New York, has helped me to be a multifaceted and hard-working dancer in the rehearsal room.” 

Turelli spent his time in the Belmont East program training at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City, which proved foundational to the talent he brought to Bigfork. Serving as the Dance Captain for their production of Newsies, he was given the opportunity to hone his skills as both a dancer and leader. 

As Dance Captain for Bigfork’s production of “Mean Girls,” junior Kelly Goenaga made full use of her training in order to keep up with the rigor of the Playhouse’s pace. 

“Performing at Bigfork has proven to be extremely fun, yet extremely challenging. Memorizing multiple shows, portraying different types of roles within those shows, and performing each show multiple times a week has helped me work towards my goals of learning how to think quickly, work effectively, and maintain ultimate focus in a rehearsal setting or onstage,” she said. “All of these things are required for work as a dance captain or swing, which are positions I dearly desire to hold in future professional performance opportunities." 

Trial by Fire 

Performing so many shows tested each cast member, requiring the highest levels of endurance and intentional times of rest and self-care. 

“For the first seven weeks of the contract, we spent our days rehearsing for one show while performing in a separate show at night,” Turelli said. “We did not have a day off until all four shows were up and running. Belmont has taught me how to properly warm up and cool down my brain, voice, and body in order to sustain the intense schedule while performing at my best.” 

 The intensity of days at the Playhouse gave the students a taste of what is required of professional actors. While it pushed them to their limits, each of them learned to adapt and thrive. 

 “The rehearsal process is fast, demanding, and unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I relied on the technique, discipline, and training my professors at Belmont instilled in me—and then said a prayer,” said Tomás. “Bigfork was a testing ground of the training I had been given and taught me to get through 13 hour days while still performing well.” 

What Bigfork Means to a Budding Career

For many, earning a place at the Playhouse represents a launchpad from which to begin a life as a professional actor. As notable alumni such as J.K. Simmons can attest, a summer at Bigfork can turn a love of theatre into marketable skills for a competitive industry. 

“This has been one of the most important stepping stones in my early career as a young actor,” said Tomás. “The process has challenged me, taught me so much about the profession and introduced me to artists and mentors who have shaped the kind of career I hope to build in musical theatre.” 

Cast members often joke that if you can survive Bigfork, you can do anything. 

"After this summer, I truly believe that,” said Tomás.