Tony Award winner visits CU-Mansfield, works with music students in master class series
MANSFIELD, Pa. (05/19/2026) — Tony Award winner and two-time Drama Desk Award winner, Santino Fontana, visited Commonwealth University-Mansfield on May 2, to work with music students in a master class series.
Fontana offered two master classes and a Q&A session for Mansfield music students during his day on campus at the Steadman Theatre, Butler Music Center.
Ethan Hinshaw, a sophomore music education/performance major, who played the title role in Mansfield's recent musical theatre production of "Man of La Mancha" was one of the students who Santino worked with.
"It was incredible to see how a working professional approaches portraying a character and their motivations," Hinshaw said. "Santino taught us in a way that was understandable, yet nuanced and complex. He was great to work with!"
Fontana is an acclaimed American actor and singer, known for winning a 2019 Tony Award for "Tootsie," and voicing Prince Hans in the animated Disney film "Frozen." A frequent Broadway and off-Broadway leading man, starring as Prince Charming in Cinderella and shows such as "Sunday in the Park with Park with George" and "Hello, Dolly!" He is also recognized for TV roles in "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" and "Shades of Blue," alongside extensive voice acting.
Fontana's appearance was sponsored by the Mansfield Musical Theatre Organizations and funded by the Student Government Association.
Media Attachments
Santino Fontana headshot
Shown, back row from left, are Cody Ranck, Michaiah Watkins, Isaac Braucht, Ethan Hinshaw, Caleb Adman, Abigail Rice, Bobby Repp and Justin Knarr. Kneeling from left, are Phillip Peters, Santino Fontana and Hayley Ridge.
Santino Fontana during his time working with CU-Mansfield students.
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Julie Stellfox, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications, jms833@commonwealthu.edu, 570-484-2280Share this Story
Recent News
- Commonwealth University respiratory care achieves 100% credentialing success rate 6th year in a row
- CU-Mansfield student research advances understanding of water quality in mining-impacted regions
- Scholarship spotlights creativity, inquiry and academic achievement at Commonwealth University-Mansfield
- Studentled conference at CU-Bloomsburg highlights communication's reach
- Commonwealth University-Lock Haven to host Summer Preview Day for prospective students
- From Lock Haven to the Stanley Cup: CU-Lock Haven alumnus builds a career in sports
- CU-Lock Haven athletic training student completes full-immersion experience in Georgia
- Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg's ASL program powers student success
- Commonwealth University criminal justice faculty present research at conference
- CU-Lock Haven biology major earns national recognition through NOAA's elite Hollings Scholarship