SGS Theatre Troupe Gets A Taste Of Broadway

Douglas Hamilton, a dresser with the Broadway production of “The Lion King,” visited Sampson G. Smith student thespians on Dec. 2.

Cast members of the upcoming Sampson G. Smith Intermediate School production of “The Lion King” got a rare treat Dec. 2 when a member of the Broadway production’s crew cmd for a visit.

Douglas Hamilton, the professional production’s dresser, visited the school to talk about what it’s like to work backstage in a Broadway show.

Hamilton came with props: Pieces of the costumes used in the actual show. The student troupers cheered each time they recognized one of the pieces Hamilton pulled out of a suitcase.

Hamilton took many questions from the students, who wanted to know everything from how long he’d been doing this (close to 40 years), to what else he’d done in the field (he previously worked with the Metropolitan Opera.)

Hamilton’s visit was facilitated by one of his relatives, Ciara Krause, a 6th Grade social studies teacher at the school.

Terri Seggio, director of drama at the school, said when Krause mentioned she had a relative working the Broadway show, she asked her if she thought he’d come talk to the students.

“He was very gracious,” Seggio said.

As a thank-you, the students performed some of the scenes from the show for Hamilton. Afterword, Hamilton said he was “very impressed” with what he saw.

A student gets fitted into one of the Broadway costumes.

“The production was very good,” he said. “I’m excited.”

Seggio said the visit was important to the students because “some of these children will never go to Broadway, for some of them, this will be their only experience.”

“To watch their faces when they brought out the costumes, it’s an experience they will never forget.”

“The Lion King” opens at SGS on Jan. 29.

Your Thoughts

comments