Watch CCM's Musical Theatre Class of 2024 perform the song 'Stand Up' from the film 'Harriet'

In this excerpt from the CCM Musical Theatre Class of 2024 Freshman Showcase, students Benjamin Cheng, Jeffrey Cornelius, Michael Lee Jr., Madison Mosley, Peter Neureuther, Annalise Prentiss, Julia Schick, Cynsere Stevens and Jamal Stone perform Cynthia Erivo and Joshuah Brian Campbell’s “Stand Up” from the 2019 biographical film “Harriet” on the banks of the Ohio River and at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The film “Harriet” details the life and accomplishments of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who personally freed approximately 70 slaves on the Underground Railroad according to author Kate Clifford Larson. The song “Stand Up” is the lead single from the film's soundtrack. CCM's video for “Stand Up” includes still images by Julio Cortez/Associated Press, Dai Sugano/Twitter and John Minchillo/Associated Press.

Segments of CCM's Musical Theatre Freshman Showcase were recorded at iconic locations throughout the city in collaboration with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Imperial Theatre Mohawk Arts Center, Memorial Hall, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Washington Park.

CCM's Musical Theatre Freshman Showcase is produced and directed by Associate Professor Vincent DeGeorge, with music direction, arrangements, orchestration, mix and production by Assistant Professor Stephen Goers. Music recording is provided by CCM student Aaron Harris Woodstein. CCM alum Raven Thomas serves as content advisor. CCM students Nate Jones and Madison Mosley provide editing and digital imaging. Camera work is provided by students Jeffery Cornelius, Nate Jones, Madison Mosley, Nick Pattarini and August Bagg.

Student created showcases bookend the training experience for CCM’s Musical Theatre majors. A Freshman Showcase is traditionally presented in Cincinnati, while a Senior Showcase is presented for agents and casting directors in New York City. CCM curated the industry's first Senior Showcase in 1993, and was the first college to introduce a digital showcase experience in 2020. The 2021 Freshman and Senior Showcases are both being presented virtually in accordance with COVID Careful protocols.

The Freshman Showcase is the culmination of a year's worth of work. Students chose the songs, wrote their monologues and were involved in every aspect of the planning, production and post-production. CCM's full-length Musical Theatre Class of 2024 Freshman Showcase received a preview broadcast for family and friends on April 17, 2021, and will be released to the general public once post-production is completed.

Watch a trailer for the showcase below and subscribe to CCM's e-newsletter to receive updates on the full showcase release date.

Featured image at top: Freshman musical theatre majors performing at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in a still from the Freshman Showcase.