January 19, 2007
School of Music graduate has lead role in musical
Jane Brockman
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Songstress Jane Brockman's star is shining bright as she prepares to sing the lead role in the Tony-award winning musical, "The Light in the Piazza," at the famed Fox Theatre in St. Louis.
A graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's School of Music, the New York-based Brockman returns to the Midwest for performances Feb. 9-11.
"Having one of our graduates sing the lead role in 'The Light in the Piazza' at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis is very exciting," said Robert L. Weiss, director of the School of Music, part of the College of Liberal Arts.
Weiss and a group of SIUC students will attend the Feb. 9 performance to "celebrate Brockman's success," he said. "I expect this will especially be inspiring for all of our music theater students who sometimes wonder if they will get a big break like this."
Winner of six 2005 Tony Awards including Best Score, "The Light in the Piazza" wowed audiences on Broadway and the production is now touring nationally.
The hectic schedule is nothing new for Brockman. For six years she has performed in "A Christmas Carol" at Madison Square Garden, sharing the stage with the likes of F. Murray Abraham, Tim Curry and Roger Daltrey. She also starred in "Carousel" and "The Sound of Music."
Brockman recently lent her talents to "The Producers" movie directed by Susan Stroman. In addition, audiences may recognize the brunette from her appearances on NBC's "Law & Order SVU," ABC's "All My Children" and in various television commercials.
The SIUC graduate is "constantly learning and trying to grow as a singer and an actor," she said. "You have to keep working at your skills as a performer so you are ready to audition and book your next job. One of the main things I learned from the many wonderful teachers and friends I had at SIU is that the journey is never over – to always keep learning and growing throughout your life and career."
Brockman holds a bachelor's degree in music from The Pennsylvania State University and a master's degree in music from SIUC. Brockman teaches voice and travels the country leading workshops in audition technique.
"The Light in the Piazza" is recommended for audiences 10 and older. Tickets are available on www.metrotix.com or by calling 800/293-5949.