BROADWAY THEATRE PROJECT (BTP) – Musical Theatre Arts Education for Kids

I am presently engaged in my yearly pilgrimage to help out with BTP’s musical theatre arts education program in Florida which runs from July 6-27. More than 200 talented students from 28 states, as well as Canada, England and American Samoa attend an intensive curriculum to properly prepare them for a professional career in performing arts.

As a prior student of The Guildhall School of Music and Drama programs, I am an avid supporter and believer of the critically important role that musical theatre arts can play in helping young men and women learn, gain confidence and succeed in life. Education in performing arts provides a foundation to tap creativity, enthusiasm and vivid imaginations – applicable to whatever career path we follow. It is important to support and fund these training programs.

Special guests include Patrick Wilson, Ashley Brown, Ben Vereen, Terrance Mann and Christopher D’Amboise, among others.

BTP apprentices will participate in work shopping numbers from shows currently in development including:

The Imagine Project - by Terrence Mann and Christopher D'Amboise. A performance piece will be created using historical songs from culture-changing artists who have transformed and transcended generations. This original work, created at BTP, will tell a moving story to the Beatles songs “Imagine” and “Because.” Mr. Mann began work on this concept with the National Dance Institute.

Havana - by Frank Wildhorn. Apprentices will work with Mr. Wildhorn, as well as artistic director Debra McWaters, on staging numbers from the show Havana. Vocalists will be featured as well as dance with a Latin flair.

Final Show … AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT:

The July 2008 session culminates in a show that showcases the talents of all apprentices consisting of original works created by the BTP faculty and apprentices. The show will be held on July 26 at 3 and 8 pm in the Ferguson Hall at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the TBPAC box office, 813-229-7827, or through Ticketmaster.

Founded in 1991, the non-profit Broadway Theatre Project is a prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students. Under the artistic direction of Debra McWaters, students attend an intensive three-week training program focused on acting, dancing and singing, as well as the critical life skills necessary to work in the professional world of entertainment.

For more information, support and make a donation to this terrific training program – http://www.broadwaytheatreproject.com/.

Photo: Sam Taylor with Ben Vereen.

SWEATING IT OUT ‘IN THE TRENCHES’ WITH BROADWAY THEATRE PROJECT

I'm preparing for my yearly pilgrimage to help out with BTP’s musical theatre arts education program in Florida on July 8. This year, more than 200 talented students from 28 states, as well as Canada, England and American Samoa will be attending an intensive curriculum to properly prepare them for a professional career in the performing arts. Special guests and workshops this year include:

"Moving Story" - by Christopher D’Amboise. A contemporary method of theatrical storytelling combining music, song, text and dance. Apprentices will work to develop a section from a new musical and perform an informal presentation.

"Alice"- by Frank Wildhorn. Frank has created a new show inspired by the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland. Apprentices will work with Mr. Wildhorn and BTP founder Debra McWaters, on creating the main characters in innovative and modern ways. Brandi Burkhardt will play the title role in the workshop. Pieces created from the workshop will be presented in the final BTP performance at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on July 28.

Founded in 1991, Broadway Theatre Project is the world’s most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students. Under the artistic direction of Debra McWaters, students attend an intensive three-week training program focused on the key disciplines of musical theatre arts including acting, dancing, and singing, as well as the critical life skills necessary to work in the professional world of entertainment. For more information – http://www.broadwaytheatreproject.com/.