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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.

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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.

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