MANSFIELD, Ohio — Mansfield native Jenni Barber helped local students sharpen their acting and singing skills during a master class at St. Peter’s High School on Monday morning.
The New York City-based Broadway star coached four St. Pete’s students and one Ontario student while they performed in front of an audience of fellow students, local professionals and others.
Since returning to her hometown, Barber said teaching classes like Monday’s has been one of the highlights of her stay.
Having gotten her first taste of theatre in Mansfield, she said it’s nice to come back and impart what she’s learned to others.
“What a wonderful place to go full circle,” she said.
Over the weekend, Barber appeared alongside the Mansfield Symphony and the Mansfield Symphony Chorus as the featured vocal soloist in the Mansfield Symphony’s annual holiday concert, “Holiday Pops.”
That was the first time Barber has performed on the Renaissance Theatre stage since 2005, when she starred as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.” More recently, Barber portrayed Glinda in Broadway’s “Wicked,” and has played major roles on Broadway in “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” “The Nance,” and “As You Like It.” She’s also known for her role as Lisa Heffenbacher on PBS television’s “The Electric Company.”
During the master class, Ontario senior Howard Leuthold performed two songs, which he said he intends to use for his college audition.
Leuthold said he appreciated Barber’s feedback, noting, “It was very nice to hear someone from Broadway say that I did great.”
Marrin Eighinger, a junior at St. Peter’s, said Barber helped her get into character for her comedic monologue.
“Getting into character can be challenging, but she helped me feel more confident,” she said.
Barber’s husband, Ron Robinson, who works in the production side of the music industry, was also on-hand to field questions.
Jim Cox, director of the St. Peter’s theater and performing arts program, said he was delighted to have such wonderful professionals with a local connection help lead the class.
