The Christian Hoff BLOG...

I am writing in response to Anne Marie Welsh's Tony Awards article in Sunday's Arts section of the San Diego Union Tribune (“San Diego shines on Tony Awards list,” May 21).

She mentioned that San Diego-trained talent earned Tony nominations. I am writing to be more specific. Both Christian Hoff (nominated for featured actor in a musical) and Casey Nicholaw (direction and choreographer of a musical) spent many years being trained at San Diego Junior Theatre.

Nicholaw was very involved with Junior Theatre during all four years of high school. He was in our high school honor society Confetti, and is remembered for his exceptional role as J. Pierpont Finch in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

Hoff started in Junior Theatre at age 8 and continued until he was 18. He was featured in “Tom Sawyer,” “The Sound of Music,” “Grease,” “Mary Poppins” and “Lil' Abner,” to name a few. Christian's father, Jann Hoff, was on our Board of Trustees and his mother, Susan, worked tirelessly as a volunteer.

San Diego Junior Theatre is very proud of Casey and Christian. Their training at Junior Theatre has led them down the path to a successful career on the Broadway stage.

Will Neblett
Executive Director
San Diego Junior Theatre