A local theater director headed to Broadway last week to get some tips to bring back home to his north Georgia students.

The trip was paid for through the director’s efforts in a local production that involved several young people from Dawson County.

Nathan Gerrells is one of eight nationwide honored with the Freddie G Theatre Experience, a program sponsored by the Music Theatre International Junior Theatre Festival.

The annual Junior Theatre was held in Atlanta this year, where Gerrells won an award for Outstanding Production 2010 for his direction of “Seussical JR.”

While in New York, Gerrells participated in master classes with choreographers, directors, producers, actors and designers.

“I’m hoping to gain some directing skills and choreography direction and marketing publicity skills,” Gerrells said. “I can bring that information back to the kids down here in Georgia.”

Gerrells also saw his first Broadway show in New York over the weekend.

“I’m just thrilled,” Gerrells said.

According to Freddie Gershon, chairman and CEO of Music Theatre International: “These teachers do inspiring work with minimal resources. We want to give them the opportunity to live the Broadway experience and interact with top professionals to reward them... .”