ACE Sisters Land Roles in Broadway's 'Matilda,' 'Annie' National Tour
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Brooklyn Shuck sings "Name in Lights" from "The Boy From Oz "at "Songs for Story Shifters." A transcript of this video can be found here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 5, 2014) — Two of the University of Kentucky's youngest stars are demonstrating the talents they honed as part of UK Opera Theatre's Academy for Creative Excellence (ACE) in major musical roles. Brooklyn Shuck, who previously starred in "Annie: The Musical" on Broadway, landed one of the four alternating title roles in "Matilda The Musical" on the Great White Way. Her sister, Sydney Shuck, will step into her shoes taking the role of Kate in the national tour of "Annie."
On Aug. 31, Brooklyn took the stage as Matilda. The 9-year-old rotates in the title role of Matilda created by novelist Roald Dahl. A Tony award-winning musical, "Matilda" is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, the youngster dares to take a stand and change her destiny.
Brooklyn first performed on Broadway in 2013, starting as a swing portraying various orphans in "Annie." That summer, she moved up to take over the role of Kate in the Tony award-winning show.
Sydney will take on the role of Kate starting Sept. 26, as "Annie" begins its national tour in Detroit, Michigan. The 11-year-old will use her versatile talents to portray the next-to-youngest orphan of the six orphans in the popular musical's cast. Together the group led by Annie comprises a gritty, ‘unloved’ and vulnerable group of young girls.
After showing special dancing talents at a very early age, Brooklyn and Sydney joined the ACE program at UK, which promotes a well-rounded and balanced approach to arts training that focuses on both individual development and teamwork. At ACE, the sisters were able to hone their dancing skills, as well as study voice and acting. While the program maintains a fun atmosphere that reflects the joy of live performance, it also strives for professional-level standards and intends to train children and youth for potential careers in the performing arts, from triple threat performers in musical theatre to actor-singers in opera and beyond.
During Brooklyn's time studying with ACE, she appeared in several productions including UK Opera Theatre's town-and-gown musical revue, "It's a Grand Night for Singing!" and at the annual holiday sing-along concert "Alltech Holiday Celebration of Song," where Brooklyn was the lead vocalist on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” During Sydney's time with ACE, she appeared in "Seussical the Musical."
Brooklyn and Sydney are the daughters of Angie and T.G. Shuck, of Lexington.
To find out more about Brooklyn or follow her experience on Broadway visit her website, http://brooklynshuck.com; like her fan page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrooklynShuck; or follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BrooklynShuck.
ACE is an outreach program of UK Opera Theatre in the UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The School of Music has garnered national recognition for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition, theory and music history.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu
