Open air theater gives graduate student professional experience

It was 8:30 on a summer evening, and once more James Neff stood ready on the stage. The late sun illuminated the crowd, making it impossible for the young lead to ignore his audience. Nearly 1,500 faces waited in expectation for the opening number. Depending on the night, the opening number either transported the audience back to the 19th century world of "Stephen Foster" or zapped the audience into the 1950s rock and roll era of "Grease." As the lead for both "Grease" and "Stephen Foster," James Neff did not stand to disappoint his audience.\nCurrently working on a master's degree in vocal performance, Neff, 22, spent last summer playing both Danny Zuko in "Grease" and the title role of Stephen Collins Foster in the musical "Stephen Foster." Neff signed on to play both roles before graduating from the IU School of Music last May. While acting peers raced to New York or L.A. after graduation, Neff found his acting niche in the Summer Stock Theatre. Neff performed with Summer Stock at My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown, Ky.\n"It was exciting. I was thrilled," said Neff. "It was a big step because it was really the longest run I've ever performed, a three-month run." \nNeff fell into these three months of excitement because a friend recommended him to the theatre's musical director. After the initial phone call, Neff learned he had one night to prepare for a private audition. The musical director drove to IU the next day, where Neff traded the anxiety of an open casting call for auditioning solo in one of the rooms at the music school. Dazzling the director with his singing voice, Neff was offered a contract to play the leads in both summer musicals. Then the work began. \nTwo weeks after graduation, Neff moved to Bardstown to start rehearsals for "Stephen Foster." Rehearsal hours extended from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Two weeks later, "Stephen Foster" opened, heralding the start of "Grease" rehearsals, which began the following day. Neff, along with the entire "Grease" cast, rehearsed the show during the day and performed "Stephen Foster" at night. Beginning in July, the cast performed "Grease" and "Stephen Foster" on alternating nights. "At first it was very confusing," Neff said. "I'd show up at the theater, and I'd really have to concentrate on what show I was doing that night." \nThis repertory style of theater presented other challenges for Neff. "Stephen Foster, the Musical," has been performed in the open-air theaters of My Old Kentucky State Park for 46 seasons. Neff helped retell the true story of American composer Stephen Foster while recreating a beloved character that many fans had seen before. Neff said he enjoyed putting his own twist and energy into the beloved role. The next night he would slip on a leather jacket and completely change musical styles playing Danny Zuko.\n"It's rare to find someone who could play such versatile roles," said Johnny Warren, the theater's communications director.\nMargaret Elder, the office manager and group coordinator, said she enjoyed having Neff around. \n"He was great, he was wonderful to have around, he was very professional and he is a wonderful singer. We really enjoyed having him here," Elder said. "We were really fortunate to have him. He did a great job."\nNeff attributes his versatility to his first four years at IU. As a member of Straight No Chaser, a band based out of Bloomington, Neff had the opportunity to sing in a completely different voice than he was being taught in his music lessons. The jazz experience gave him a needed edge for performing "Grease." Neff performed in all six operas last school year, preparing him vocally and mentally for the rigorous rehearsal schedules this summer. \nHis four years at IU were also spent in private vocal lessons with his favorite professor and mentor, Timothy Noble. As a master's student this year, Neff continues to rely on Noble's guidance. As for Noble, he is not surprised that Neff has already entered the professional world of theater.\n"Vocally he is miles ahead of most men in the Broadway idiom," said Noble. "It would not surprise me to see him in New York one of these days opening a show for Broadway."\nNeff tends to agree. During his next four years at IU, Neff plans to keep auditioning until he finds his way to New York. Eventually Neff wants to teach voice at a university -- after he has had his turn on Broadway, of course. \n-- Contact staff writer Kathlyn Von Rohr at kvonrohr@indiana.edu.