Justin Guarini Coming to Haddonfield Theater Arts Center

With a new session of classes approaching, is bringing in a familiar face to the South Jersey region.

Season one American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini will teach a master class at the center on Oct. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. His class will be just one of the many highlights in the upcoming fall session that connects budding stars with entertainment pros.

Scott Laska, who opened the center in 2009 with his wife, Christa, has been good friends with Guarini for many years.

“Justin and my husband were part of a choir together,” Christa said. “They recently sang together at an event. Justin was very excited to hear about the school.”

“He's been very busy,” Scott added. “We were talking recently and it lined up that he could come this fall. He did American Idiot on Broadway recently and had been in Atlanta working on a new musical based on a Stephen King story. But he's back in town now.”

Guarini will do vocal exercises with the kids as well as teach a small acting class. The master class will not be limited to just enrolled students either. Anyone is permitted to attend the center's master classes.

“We've had people of all ages who are not enrolled come to our master classes in the past,” said Scott. “So we invite anyone to come and join us.”

Guarini won't be the only guest that to visit Haddonfield Theater Arts Center this fall. Tyrick Jones from the Broadway show Finian's Rainbow will also come by for a lesson. A date for Jones' visit has not been set, but it will likely be sometime in late November or early December.

Entering its third season, the center currently teaches classes for students as young as 4 years old to teens. Classes include instruction in acting, singing, physical stage movement and more. The theater typically brings in about 60 students per session.

At the end of June each year, Haddonfield Theater Arts Center puts on an original performance in which all of their students participate in. The show is performed in conjunction with Maestro Studios.

“Writing an original show is something that our parents love that we do for the kids, and it's a unique experience,” Christa said.

For parents interested in enrolling their students at Haddonfield Theater Arts Center classes this fall, there will be an open house on Sept. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There, parents and students will be able to tour the studio and meet instructors at the school in advance of the new classes for the season. Students who enroll by Sept. 9 will receive a free gift, though enrollment is ongoing at the school through April.

For more information on the Haddonfield Theater Arts Center, visit haddonfieldtheaterartscenter.com.