Frank Gaston, Jr. brings choreography skills back home
Frank Gaston, Jr.
Frank Gaston, Jr. has returned to Milwaukee to contribute his over thirty years experience as a director and choreographer to Milwaukee’s youth. The musical, ‘We Are the Drum, We Are the World’ a tribute to Michael Jackson.
Gaston has worked with countless international talents including: Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, Backstreet Boys, Maxwell, En Vogue, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Fantasia. He has won coveted MTV and VMA awards including his latest VMA win for Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.”
The show was held over for a extended week last weekend, and sold out all its additional performances. One of the show’s highlights was a local 8 year-old third grade student at Golda Meir School, Cameron Moutry, who portrayed a young Michael Jackson. Twelve schools from MPS participated in the production.
The show kept the audience on their feet especially during the moving tribute to Jackson using the entire cast of singers, dancers and a narrator.
Cameron Moutry as young Michael Jackson leads the rest of the young Jackson Five cast members in a performance of a classic Jackson Five song. (Photos by Pat A. Robinson)
Beyonce contributed to the show as well by sending in her robot costumes used by dancers in her 2010 Grammy performance and donated $10,000 to help the production which was costly.
Combined with special effects, lighting, sound technicians, staging and costumes, the audience was treated to a production like they’ve never seen put on by a community of local youth.
Gaston has said that, “If you share the light, you sparkle brighter. These kids know I’m real and I’m giving back.”
Gaston is a graduate of North Division High School. Being in a position to bring such a gift back home is special for him and for Milwaukee as well.