Lauren Haughton Gillis, a renowned figure in the theatre world, has an extensive background as a performer, producer, director, and choreographer. She once graced the Broadway stage in “Wicked,” leaving a lasting mark.

Box Office Success and Its Implications

The box office sensation of “Wicked” has been nothing short of remarkable. With a worldwide gross of nearly $456 million, it has set records among Broadway-based movies. This success is a significant boon to programs like the Florida State University Music Theatre Program. Lauren Haughton Gillis, an assistant professor in music theatre, has played a crucial role in producing, directing, and choreographing Broadway shows. Her experience in the realm of theatre is extensive and has contributed to the growth and recognition of such programs.

Teaching and Research Areas

Lauren Haughton Gillis' teaching areas encompass music theatre dance, acting the song, music theatre workshop, movement, tap, ballet, and jazz dance. Her research focuses on direction, choreography, musical theatre swing, and understudy pedagogy. Through her teaching and research, she imparts valuable knowledge and skills to aspiring theatre artists.

Movie Adaptation and Its Popularity

The movie adaptation of “Wicked” has become the biggest U.S. and global opening for a Broadway musical. It holds the highest-grossing title at the U.S. box office and continues to bring popularity to both the musical and other theatre versions based on the 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire. This phenomenon is seen as a major boost to the theatre industry.

Senior Showcase and Career Opportunities

The FSU Music Theatre Program, housed in the College of Fine Arts and offered jointly through the College of Music and the School of Theatre, is highly competitive. Graduating seniors have the opportunity to participate in the Senior Showcase each spring in New York City. This provides them with a platform to perform for directors, talent agents, and casting directors from across the United States, opening up career opportunities in theatre, music, dance, and more.

Impact and Discussion

Lauren Haughton Gillis is available to discuss the impact of “Wicked” on FSU's Music Theatre Program and its industry-wide success. She emphasizes the importance of live events and human gathering in a society increasingly dependent on computers. She believes that the current platinum age of musical theatre, with high levels of talent, requires proper training. The FSU Music Theatre program has a good reputation, and she is excited to contribute to its growth. Guiding the next wave of musical theatre artists brings her great joy.Quotes from Lauren Haughton Gillis:With the record-breaking success of “Wicked” in the box office, how does that provide a boost to music theatre programs like FSU’s that focus on guiding the next wave of performers?“The worldwide success that the “Wicked” movie is having and the audience that the musical will now be able to reach is incredible. As our society moves closer and closer toward dependency on computers for everything, I believe the need for live events and human gathering will become ever more important. Ever since “Hamilton” came on the Broadway scene and now with “Wicked” in movie theaters, I’m really feeling like we are in a platinum age of musical theatre. The level of talent is at an all-time high and young people need training to compete. The FSU Music Theatre program has a very good reputation and I’m excited to help it continue to grow. Guiding the musical theatre artists of tomorrow brings me supreme joy and is my life’s purpose. I’m thrilled to be in Tallahassee as the new BFA Music Theatre Director.”What are the most important aspects of executing a Broadway show/movie as complex as “Wicked?”“The most important aspect of creating a musical is collaboration. It takes an enormous team to execute the storytelling involved in a Broadway musical. The audience sees the cast on stage but years before that product can be enjoyed, the book writer and composer create from scratch. Then a team is assembled meaning a producer, director, choreographer, music director and a host of designers. Then actors, singers and dancers audition, and a cast is assembled. A Broadway show usually has various readings and workshops and if those are successful, you’ll get a regional theater production which could become a Broadway show one day. It takes rewrites and tough conversations and finding the magic that everyone works for.”