Academy for Classical Education students participating in the production of聽“The Lion King Jr.”聽recently received a visit from Broadway theater veteran Russell Joel Brown. Brown聽has performed in a number of notable shows including Broadway productions of “The Lion King” and “Smokey Joe鈥檚 Caf茅.” His other professional credits include 鈥淏ig River鈥� and 鈥淭he Scarlet Pimpernel.鈥�
During his visit to ACE, Brown worked with student performers on their acting and vocal skills. He told students to try and understand the emotional significance of individual events taking place throughout the play.
鈥淭he way he knew the story and beauty of the piece was unique and beneficial for students to see,鈥� said Shelby English, Academy for Classical Education鈥檚 theater teacher.
English currently serves on the on the Georgia Junior Thespian Board. She met Brown several 
years ago when he served as a guest artist at the Georgia Junior Thespian Conference. English was grateful that Brown, an actor with such an impressive list of credits, decided to use his extensive acting and singing knowledge to give back to students. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know too many actors who have done a show professionally for that long who will come in and work with students on the same show,鈥� said English.
Brown is not the first professional to visit the Academy for Classical Education. The school plans to continue to offer similar interactive opportunities for students so they can learn more about various professions and see beyond school walls.
