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Although the sci-fi horror story of Netflix series “Stranger Things” is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, cast members rarely visit the state.
Discovering Broadway, a not-for-profit that invites creative teams to develop musicals while spending time in central Indiana, will bring a “Stranger Things” star to Indianapolis this week.
Gaten Matarazzo, known for his portrayal of brainy adolescent Dustin Henderson, is scheduled to teach classes in acting and singing Aug. 16 on the campus of Butler University. Matarazzo will collaborate with Nathan Salstone, who’s been a cast member of “Sweeney Todd” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway, to lead two classes—one devoted to acting and one to singing.
On Aug. 22, Broadway actress Samantha Pauly will teach two dance classes presented by Discovering Broadway. Pauly portrays high-society golfer Jordan Baker in the current musical version of “The Great Gatsby” on Broadway, and she was part of the original Broadway cast of “Six” in 2021.
To reserve a spot in Pauly’s classes, scheduled at Noblesville’s Grace Church, visit discoveringbroadway.org. Tickets for the classes taught by Matarazzo and Salstone are sold out.
“Stranger Things,” which debuted in 2016, is made in Georgia. The show’s fifth and final season is expected to arrive at Netflix in 2025.
The Indiana Comic Convention hosted public appearances by “Stranger Things” stars Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Matarazzo was scheduled to visit the Hoosier Dome, an all-ages music venue in Fountain Square, with his rock band, Work in Progress, in 2019. The show didn’t happen, however, because Matarazzo became ill while on tour.
The Broadway credits of Connecticut native Matarazzo, 21, include roles in “Les Misérables” in 2014 and “Sweeney Todd” in 2023.
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Can’t say I’ve ever heard him sing, but I’ve seen better acting in grade school productions. Surely, he got this gig based solely on the popularity of Stranger Things.