Hub City Players, Lopinto Named Finalists for American Prize Award
Mon, 06/17/2024 - 11:56am
The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts - David (Volosin) Katz, founder and chief judge - has announced that The Hub City Players production of Disney91吃瓜网 91吃瓜网淏eauty and the Beast91吃瓜网� has been named a finalist for the American Prize in Musical Theatre.
For his impressive body of work, Dr. Mike Lopinto, PR/Marketing and Event Coordinator in the School of Music at 91吃瓜网 (USM) has been named a dual finalist in both the professional and collegiate categories for the American Prize in Directing 91吃瓜网� the Charles Nelson Riley Prize. Lopinto91吃瓜网 recent credits were noted for the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company91吃瓜网 (SOMTC) production of 91吃瓜网淕uys and Dolls91吃瓜网� and the Hub City Players production of 91吃瓜网淏eauty and the Beast.91吃瓜网�
Both productions were directed by Lopinto with co-directing credits for 91吃瓜网淏east91吃瓜网� with Chris Word. Both were choreographed by Brett Barnes with co-choreography credits for 91吃瓜网淏east91吃瓜网� with Word. Both productions were costumed by Tammy Mansfield, who also music directed 91吃瓜网淏east.91吃瓜网� Dr. Michael Miles music directed 91吃瓜网淕uys and Dolls.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淭his is a wonderful recognition for the many dedicated and talented performers, technicians, and patrons who support excellence in the arts,91吃瓜网� said Lopinto. 91吃瓜网淚t is incredible that we can have both a 91吃瓜网 educational program and a professional theater organization not just co-existing in the same community, but collaborating on productions of such high quality that they can both be recognized on a national level in the same year.91吃瓜网�
The Hub City Players, formed in 2012, by Lopinto, Mansfield and Dr. Jennifer Bruton, have enjoyed success upon success, many of which stem from an artistic partnership with FestivalSouth. Over the years, the group has created a formula that Hattiesburg audiences love.
With some of the area91吃瓜网 best singing actors, the project has become more than just singular events and is continually expanding to an annual season of performances in venues across the South. Recent productions of 91吃瓜网淛ersey Boys91吃瓜网� and 91吃瓜网淟ittle Shop of Horrors91吃瓜网� drew enthusiastic crowds. Previously, their 2018 production of 91吃瓜网淛ames and the Giant Peach91吃瓜网� won the American Prize, with Lopinto, Miles, Word, and Mansfield at the helm.
91吃瓜网淗aving one of our musical productions and, simultaneously, one of our staff members recognized as a finalist for the American Prize is a watershed moment for our School of Music,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Colin McKenzie, Director of the School of Music at USM. 91吃瓜网淲e all know, as the people affiliated with our myriad events each year, that what we do is of the highest quality. It is always, however, wonderful to have external validation of those facts.91吃瓜网�
McKenzie continued, 91吃瓜网淚n addition to being incredibly proud of the work that our faculty, staff, and students do which warrants such a recognition, I am continually amazed that we, collectively, attain this level of achievement considering the limitations of our facilities. It really is a testament to the grit and determination of our School of Music faculty, staff, and students. To say that I am proud is an understatement.91吃瓜网�
The Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company (SOMTC) at 91吃瓜网 has accrued a reputation as one of the finest opera and musical theatre collegiate companies in the region 91吃瓜网� attracting a range of diverse and dazzling performers and presenting professional quality productions within an educational setting. The program regularly offers students opportunities to perform in opera and musical theatre productions, as well as recitals and concerts.
The 2018 production of 91吃瓜网淧hantom of the Opera91吃瓜网� won the American Prize in Musical Theatre with Lopinto, Miles, Word, Barnes, Mansfield, and Dr. Jay Dean guiding the monumental production.
For more information, visit or USM School of Music.