Paula Benedetti Danner: from Children's Musical Theater to touring company of Annie

Paula Benedetti Danner (hanging on banister)
and the orphan cast of Annie in 1978 at the
Curran Theater. Jennifer Cihi is in front
and in upper left corner is Molly Ringwald
(photo: Paula Benedetti-Danner)

The curtain was barely down on a 1977 CMT production of The Wizard of Oz and 13-year-old Paula Danner (née Benedetti) was rushing out the door -- not because the audience didn't love her (they did) but because she had a plane to catch: she and fellow cast member Jennifer Cihi had to be in Los Angeles for call back auditions of the second national tour of Annie.

“I barely made the flight as I ran through the airport trying to take Scarecrow make-up off my face.”

Paula and Jennifer were both cast (as was a very young Molly Ringwald), and Paula later went on to appear in the national tour of Cats, in commercials and fronted a rock band in L.A.

Now 45, she lives in Missouri, is a preschool teacher, hotel manager, mom and fashion blogger.

Her career started at CMT in 1971 at age 6 and she appeared in 19 shows. One of her favorite roles was Ado Annie in Oklahoma (1975), but it's not that role that she remembers as teaching her an important life lesson.

Instead, she still remembers desperately wanting a lead role in Cinderella. Instead, she was cast in the ensemble. Being in the chorus taught her the importance of contributing when it is someone else's turn to shine. “Not only was it a valuable life lesson, it was one of the most fun and memorable show experiences of my time at CMT.”

That and many other memories are part of Paula, but after all-is-said-and-done, “The most important thing I learned from John Healy and my CMT years is that only your best is good enough – best effort, best performance –always giving everything you have."

Carolyn Coulson-Grigsby: Theater professor's role model is CMT founder John Healy

Carolyn Coulson-Grigsby (Photo: Carolyn Coulson-Grigsby)

When Carolyn Coulson-Grigsby, 44, arrived at Shenandoah University in Virginia to teach and direct in its Conservatory theater division, she felt as if she had come full circle.

At her first CMT audition for Bye Bye Birdie (1977) at age 12, Carolyn’s voice could hardly be heard. Five years later she knew how to jitterbug, learned “being in the chorus mattered,” and was known for belting out her songs.

“The impact CMT had on my life was huge as it started my theater career. I made many good friends and learned the fundamentals of performance, and the importance of responsibility and cooperation,” said Carolyn.

After CMT, Carolyn obtained degrees from Santa Clara University and University of Connecticut. She also trained in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

The Conservatory’s musical theater program brought back warm memories of CMT. “It was a great environment – showing us you could have fun and work hard at the same time.”
She hopes to inspire her students in the same way that she was inspired by founder John Healy.

Dennis O'Bannion: CMT experiences prepared him for Broadway debut

Dennis O'Bannion (Photo: Dennis O'Bannion)

Dennis O’Bannion, 25, is living the dream of many CMT performers. He made his Broadway debut in the cast of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas in November 2009 and he attributes it to the training he received at CMT.

“There was so much education I learned in my years at CMT that created a solid foundation and prepared me for going to train and perform in the Big Apple,” said Dennis.

Between his first show State Fair (2000) and his last, the Marquee production of Thoroughly Modern Millie (2006), Dennis choreographed Starmites and assisted Kevin R. Hauge with two shows. Favorite roles include Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar and Baby John in West Side Story.

Realizing he wanted to be on Broadway, Dennis moved to New York City after high school and attended Marymount Manhattan College. The day after graduation he began rehearsals for his first professional job: Hello Dolly! starring Tovah Feldshuh and choreographed by Mia Michaels (“So You Think You Can Dance”). More regional theater work followed which led to his Broadway debut.

“I could not have been more prepared for professional theater without the love and support CMT continues to give. CMT changed my life as a person and a performer,” Dennis said.

Tyler Poelle: TV and Indie actor chose theater over sports

Tyler Poelle (Photo: Tyler Poelle)

For Tyler Poelle, performing in CMT’s Oliver! at age 13 revealed two things – he loved communicating through theater and he preferred the “all for one, one for all spirit” of theater over the competitiveness of sports.

“In sports there are winners and losers. In theater you celebrate victories and mourn losses together,” he said. Whether it was a small part in the chorus (with brother Travis) in Big River or, his favorite, the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar (his best friend cast as Judas), Tyler discovered what he was looking for: “a joy and excitement in sharing what we created together – the sense of community was a great atmosphere for young artists.”

That joy led him to study theater at Carnegie–Mellon University where he received a B.F.A. in acting. After a stint in New York doing workshops and theater Tyler moved to Los Angeles where he has appeared in several “Scrubs” episodes and was the lead in the independent film Skidmarks. His days are filled with studio classes and auditions for the 2010 television season.

Stephanie Faso: Special needs performer finds second home at CMT

Stephanie Faso (Photo: Erin Faso)

As a third grader, Stephanie Faso was obsessed with the Disney movie Annie (she loved pretending she was Annie in the floor-mopping scene). When she heard that CMT was staging Annie, she begged her mother to call the theater.

Erin Faso wasn’t sure there would be a place for her daughter. Stephanie, who has had cerebral palsy since birth, speaks by typing into a computer and is confined to a wheelchair. CMT welcomed Stephanie and the love was mutual.

Though she has no favorite show, Leader of the Pack (2007) was memorable because it was energetic and fun yet a more mature role. “Being onstage was awesome. I felt so alive and free and it built my self-confidence.” Stephanie added that “the choreography of theater is way more challenging than physical therapy.”

Now a DeAnza College student, Stephanie projects her passion for theater and CMT in every movement. “CMT has been a second home; a part of my identity.”

Renee Mignosa: Chapman University film student dreams of own production company

Renee Mignosa (Photo: Renee Mignosa)

Renee Mignosa has produced a student film at Chapman University in Los Angeles, she acts in independent films, she wants to own an independent production company, and it all stems back to CMT.

When she was 11, Renee saw CMT’s Annie. I turned to my mother and said ‘I can do that.’” And she did, in numerous performances, from Oklahoma (1994) to The Who’s Tommy (1997). Her favorite role was Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain. She still remembers the excitement of being onstage as the squeaky-voiced diva.

Her CMT experience enabled her to win an acting scholarship to Pace University and entrance into the Atlantic Theater Company in New York, founded by David Mamet and William H. Macy.

“CMT is the best thing that could have happened to me as a child growing up. It taught me so much about acting and myself and prepared me for the New York stage,” said Renee.

Joy Osborne: From shy flower to international teacher and CMT board member

Joy Osborne (Photo: Joy Osborne)

“I’m a purple pansy.” Joy Osborne still remembers her only line in CMT’s Jack and the Beanstalk. She laughed at the memory of the outgoing athletic 8-year-old playing a shy flower. “At an early age I found a home for my talents,” she said.

Joy, a NetApp recruiter and current CMT board member, has appeared in a total of 20 CMT shows. After taking a break to attend college, she spent four years teaching, beginning in Cupertino. A longing to teach abroad led to two years in Tanganyika,Tanzania where she learned some Swahili and worked with international educators and students.

When Joy returned to CMT in her first Marquee show Big (1999), it was as if she had never left. “I thought, I’m home again.”

Her favorite adult production was Ragtime (2008). She described it as “a true family show” with the performers lighting up the stage and everyone being given the opportunity to shine.

“CMT provided me with the life skills and self-assurance to live life with passion and confidence,” said Joy. “Lessons learned in the rehearsal halls and on stage gave me the ability to take on any challenge that comes my way.”