PROJECTS
James Madison University: Senior Showcase, Movie Musical Magic (2024), Sunday in the Park With George (2023), Chicago (2023), Movie Musical Magic (2023), Once (2022)
2024
JMU SENIOR SHOWCASE
https://www.jmushowcase.com/claudia-obenschain
Spring 2024
Movie Musical Magic
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Dir. Kate Arecchi
Fall 2023
Sunday in the Park With George
Stepping into the character of the Nurse and Betty in "Sunday in the Park with George" was so incredibly fun. This was my first full-show experience of Sondheim, who I greatly admire, which furthered the incredible experience of this production. This show also brought the fun challenge of two disparate time periods to explore, which was aided so much with our incredible dramaturgy team.
Dir. Kate Arecchi
“Cell Block Tango” Monologues
“Roxie’s Story”
“Chicago After Midnight”
Spring 2023
Dir. Kate Arecchi
Chicago
During my time as an assistant director for the musical Chicago, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate closely with the director and production team to bring this iconic show to life. This role let me step into a different part of the production, handling and solving different challenges and being part of making creative choices that helped the show succeed.
Our primary vision for this show was the relationship between reality, lies, and the media. We used a lot of physical storytelling, specifically in the ensemble, to suggest what might have happened and raise the question for the audience of is what this character is saying the truth or a fabrication? I was able to stage a lot of these moments, specifically the “Cell Block Tango” monologues, Go to Hell Kitty’s Arrest in “Chicago after Midnight”, and Billy’s monologue in “Roxie’s Story”.
Movie Musical Magic is a cabaret production that weaves together many family-favorite songs to create a magical experience for children and parents alike! I was lucky to be a part of the first iteration of this project, creating a unique opportunity with an incredible company to help shape what the production looks like moving forward.
This production was so rewarding because we got to witness the joy we were bringing to the audience through our own joy in performing this material. We also had a sensory-friendly matinee performance, a first for me, which was incredibly exciting and allowed us to extend the magic further into the community.
Spring 2023
Movie Musical Magic
Dir. Kate Lumpkin
Spring 2022
Dir. Kate Lumpkin
Once
Being a part the musical "Once" was an amazing journey that's hard to put into words. Every part of it, from rehearsal to performance, felt like a special and fulfilling experience. The company became such a cohesive unit that I am so proud to have been a part of.
Our production featured a unique orchestration due to the unique talents in our company. I played the violin part, which was a combination of the violin 1 and key moments of the violin 2 part. We also had many guitars, drums, accordion, viola, piano, flute, mandolin, and ukulele. This created a musical experience that is quite unique and is unlikely to be seen in any other production.
The impact of "Once" went beyond just the show - it became a part of me and changed how I see music and storytelling. Looking back, being in "Once" created lasting memories and made me appreciate the power of art and collaboration.
