The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company was the brainchild of Penn State alumni James P. Jimirro and Robert W. Schneider. The company presents professional revivals of worthy Broadway musicals; in doing so it provides an opportunity for patrons to re-visit these shows and, in some cases, experience them for the first time. The Company chooses shows that it deems deserving of continued exposure. The company, as part of its casting, will introduce audiences to emerging artists within the New York theatrical community.
In this episode of The People of Penn State, Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford is joined by Jim, Robert and another of the company's talented leaders (and fellow Penn State graduate) Ben Nissen, to take us through each of their individual Penn State stories, why they formed J2 Spotlight, the mission of the company, some of their favorite works, and more!
Visit J2 Spotlight's website to learn more about the company and to check out some of their upcoming shows.
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Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu.
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Guest Bios:
James P. Jimirro (Executive Producer and Co-Founder, J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company) is the creator and founding President of The Disney Channel and Walt Disney Home Video. He received his BA in Radio-Television from Penn State, and a Masters in Mass Communications from Syracuse. He is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars). He has been honored as Distinguished Alumnus by Penn State, and was the Vision Fund of America honoree for achievement in the entertainment industry. He co-founded The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company, which presents revivals of worthy Broadway musicals.
Robert W. Schneider (Co-Founder/Artistic Director, J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company) holds academic appointments at Penn State University, New York Film Academy, and Mount Union University, as well as serving as the Artistic Director for The J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company and as an original programming producer at Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York City. He is the host of the podcasts Behind The Curtain: Broadway’s Living Legends, Gay Card Revoked, and This Was A Thing. For the past fifteen years Robert has been one of the most prolific leaders of online education in the arts. He is a proud member of SDC, AEA, and AGVA.
Ben Nissen (Associate Artistic Director, J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company) has spent several years working in producing, marketing, and publicity in the entertainment industry. Broadway/National Tour credits include An Officer and A Gentleman, Anastasia, Come From Away, Diana, Fiddler On The Roof, Harry Connick Jr - A Celebration of Cole Porter, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Phantom of the Opera, among others. Internationally, Ben worked on the Executive Producing team for the Toronto, London, and Australian productions of Come From Away. Film credits include MT Shorts' "Hey, Beautiful!" and "Still