C.C. Courtney
C. C. Courtney was born in north Louisiana but he never stayed there much, constantly moving around from age 5. He considers himself to be from New Orleans which he still loves beyond measure. When he was only 8 he started preaching at churches in the South. He entered college at the tender age of 15, receiving a degree in Economics. He stopped preaching at 16.
CC had started working in radio and TV when he was 14 and went at it full-time at age 16, working all over the US. He returned to New Orleans for a legendary 2 year stint where he not only dominated the airwaves but had his own rock band and appeared on stage with most music stars of the day, including the Beatles. In fact, it is said that CC is the most popular radio personality in the history of New Orleans radio. (click)
By chance, CC met the famous actor Steve McQueen who told him to go to New York immediately to study acting with Sanford Meisner. After only 2 years CC landed a principal role on an NBC soap opera, The Doctors. The show and CC's role were immense hits. He appeared on NYPD and several other series popular at the time.
At this time CC got into writing and had several shows produced in New York, best known being a rock musical, Salvation, the biggest off-Broadway hit of the year and from which there was a song, Why Can't I Touch You, (click) that reached #4 on the charts. Later CC co-wrote Earl of Ruston, (click) which ran on Broadway.
Suddenly, in the midst of all this success, CC got married, moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains and had two children, a son Kat and a daughter Silver, whom he delivered. He continued to act, write and began to teach acting. He was guided in this process of learning to teach acting by Sanford Meisner.
Then he suddenly moved again, this time to Carmel, CA where he published and edited a trade magazine. CC received 21 gold records for his work in the music business.
Wanting to fill some holes in his knowledge, CC went back to the universities and received two Master of Fine Arts degrees, one in Directing under Barry Kyle, of the Royal Shakespeare Company. CC wrote several more plays, which have been produced at universities, by regional theater, and in various commercial venues.
Over the years, CC has continued to act, doing many plays from regional theatre to off-Broadway. He also acted in films, working with such famous directors as Louis Malle and Steven Soderbergh. He also did independent films.
Alongside his acting and writing career, CC has directed plays from university theatre to Broadway. For 30 years, CC has taught acting in private classes, at universities and for 8 years, at the Neighborhood Playhouse, where Sanford Meisner developed his technique. It was there that CC realized that teaching was his greatest gift. "Next to raising my children, teaching is the most important thing I've ever done."
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Did you see our latest news earlier in the week? Chitty flies again! We're thrilled to announce that rights to the full, 2-act version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang are now available without restrictions for performances scheduled to take place before 31st December 2023. Applications for 2024 are currently restricted to those in venues of less than 500 seats. Apply today! www.mtishows.co.uk/chitty-chitty-bang-bang #chittychittybangbang #newrelease #trulyscrumptious
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Xanadu is now available for licensing! You have to believe we are magic... Xanadu is a moving, electrifying tale of endless fun that will keep audiences in stitches, while the original, legendary chart-topping tunes lift them out of their seats. Find out more: www.mtishows.co.uk/xanadu #xanadu #newshow #amateurtheatre #licensing #olivianewtonjohn #strangemagic
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Bravo to everyone at @_spotlight.theatre who went Into the Woods at Nottingham Arts Theatre earlier in the month. These photos look great! Photo credit: Martin Holtom. #intothewoods #nottingham #amateurtheatre #amdram
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A huge congratulations to everyone at @green_room_productions on their hugely successful production of Sunshine on Leith. We really would have walked 500 miles to grab a ticket. #sunshineonleith #pottersbar #amateurtheatre #wyllyotts
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As schools across the UK and Europe wind down for the Summer holidays we wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible teachers everywhere who make musical theatre happen year after year. To those teachers we say: you are an inspiration! We had close to 100 of these incredible teachers take part in this years Junior Theatre Festival, so lets enjoy the special teacher number from that days awards ceremony. #teachers #jtf22 #musicaltheatre #schoolshow #inspiration #education #broadwayjr
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We love these production shots of Disneys The Little Mermaid JR from @pqanorthampton #merfolk #thelittlemermaidjr #performingarts #disney #broadwayjr
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Bravo to @curtaincallshrewsbury on their production of Roald Dahls Matilda the Musical JR. Theyre currently having the best time working on the show, and these wonderful photos prove it! Enjoy your final performances. #matildajr #broadwayjr #shrewsbury #roalddahl #youththeatre #maggots
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WHAT A PICTURE We'll definitely be sticking these in the family album A few snaps from @haslemereplayers dress rehearsal of KIPPS - The New Half a Sixpence Musical which runs at Haslemere Hall this week. Break a leg! #kipps #kippshalfasixpence #haslemere #haslemerehall #surreytheatre #surrey
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Do you love musicals and want to work at MTI? We're searching for a new Licensing Assistant / Receptionist. The successful candidate will be required to work from our newly refurbished office in London at 12-14 Mortimer Street, W1T 3JJ. The core duties/responsibilities will include: Reception duties: * answering a busy telephone switchboard * greeting all visitors to the office Amateur Licensing support: * show availability requests * answering basic enquiries both via phone and in email * general administrative support as required Professional Licensing support: * general enquiries * generation of invoices as per instructions from the Professional Licensing team * vetting of foreign language translations The successful candidate will have a keen interest in musical theatre (on or off stage) and have excellent administrative skills. For full details visit: https://www.mtishows.co.uk/.../job-vacancy-licensing... #vacancy #licensing #receptionist #job #musicals #opportunity
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JTF is making the news! @skynews @fyi_skykids came to Birmingham last month to share the power of jazz hands and spirit fingers with a wider audience. The JTF piece will air Saturday at 10:30 and 16:30 and then on Sunday at 10:30. We can't wait! Check out this sneak peak, which follows Timi from The British Theatre Academy. #jtf22 #news #jazzhands #broadwayjr
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