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Year in Review: Camp Broadway’s Top Seven Moments of 2023

Oh, if life were made of moments… For Camp Broadway, 2023 was made of so many memorable moments and milestones… here are just are a few of the highlights.

1. American Girl Partners with Camp Broadway

The year started off with a big announcement from American Girl Brands. To mark the release of Kavi, the doll of the year, American Girl donated $25,000 to Broadway Education Alliance, Inc. to fund full and partial Camp Broadway scholarships for kids participating in the camp’s summer programs in New York City. “American Girl’s 2023 Girl of the Year™, Kavi Sharma™, has a passion for performing, whether it’s playing piano, dancing, or writing and singing her own songs, and she dreams of taking the stage on Broadway one day,” American Girl wrote on its website. “To celebrate young performers like Kavi, American Girl is partnering with Camp Broadway, a leader and trusted source for educational and experiential programs that help make theater arts accessible for young people.”

2. The Camp Broadway Ensemble performs with the new york pops at carnegie hall to celebrate barry manilow

In May, New York Pops’ acclaimed Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke directed an all-star concert event that honored the Grammy®, Tony®, and Emmy® Award-winning icon, Barry Manilow. The Camp Broadway Ensemble worked with Reineke, received a visit from Broadway choreographer Warren Carlyle, and rehearsed with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall to prepare for the concert. The Ensemble shared the stage with the cast of Harmony, Norm Lewis, and recent Kennedy Center inductee Dionne Warwick. In 2024, the Camp Broadway Ensemble will return to Carnegie Hall to perform with the New York Pops. For registration and audition information, visit our Camp Broadway Ensemble Page. 

3. Asa Pentas Mahakarya Academy launches camp broadway in jakarta

After the official announcement that Asa Pentas Mahakarya Academy would be presenting Camp Broadway® in their new home in Jakarta, Indonesia, Camp Broadway Indonesia welcomed their first Shining Stars and Mainstage students in July. Artistic Director Adit Marciano, who is also a Camp Broadway alum, said, “Attending Camp Broadway and working with Broadway professionals was a seminal experience for me. Featuring Camp Broadway® at our academy enables us to offer children an authentic musical theatre experience and provide access to the most talented performing arts teachers in the world.” Marciano is currently auditioning students to perform with the Camp Broadway Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in 2024. Mainstage and Shining Stars Jakarta will be held June 24-29, 2024. 

4. Camp Broadway NYC goes behind-the-emerald curtain

In July, Camp Broadway New York’s Mainstage campers took a field trip to The Gershwin Theatre to go behind-the-scenes of Wicked. The students had the chance to get up close and personal with costumes, masks, props, and set renderings from the show and speak with two cast members before seeing a matinee performance. Wicked celebrated its 20th Anniversary on Broadway last fall.

5. Bill berloni and "sandy" visit camp broadway

Before the Mainstage Showcase Finale at Symphony Space, campers received a visit from a special guest. Broadway’s most acclaimed animal trainer, Bill Berloni, and “Sandy” stopped by to chat with the campers and congratulate them on their performance. Berloni got his big break in 1976 when he was asked to find a dog to play “Sandy” for the world premiere of Annie a the Goodspeed Opera House. Since then, Berloni has trained a variety of rescue animals for stage and screen.

6. Camp Broadway Alums Open shows on Broadway

Two Camp Broadway alums made their marks on Broadway this season. Joshua Kenneth Allen Johnson joined the original Broadway cast of Back to the Future, which our Mainstage campers will see in 2024. Sammi Cannold made her Broadway directorial debut with How to Dance in Ohio. “As the original, there are no degrees of separation between Camp Broadway and the real deal,” said Cannold

7. Colleen Jennings-roggensack receives broadway league leadership award

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, vice president for cultural affairs at Arizona State University and executive director of ASU Gammage, one of Camp Broadway partner sites, received Broadway League’s Distinguished Service Award. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Broadway industry and peers,” Jennings-Roggensack said. “I am grateful to the Broadway League, colleagues, and our loyal patrons at ASU Gammage who make our mission of connecting the community to live theater possible,” Jennings-Roggensack told ASU News. Camp Broadway returns to ASU Gammage in June 2024. Registration is now open. 

Be part of Camp Broadway’s 2024 moments. Registration for Camp Broadway Ensemble, Mainstage, and Shining Stars is open. Click here for dates and more information.

Broadway League Presents Colleen Jennings-Roggensack with Distinguished Service Award

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, vice president for cultural affairs at Arizona State University and executive director of ASU Gammage, one of Camp Broadway’s partner sites, received Broadway League’s Distinguished Service Award.

Next year marks the 25th year of ASU Gammage’s Camp Broadway program. Read what Jennings-Roggensack had to say to Camp Broadway’s Elysa Gardner in advance of the 20th Anniversary.

Camp Broadway: Twenty years ago you were also the first presenter in America to recognize the Camp Broadway could be an effective program to engage kids and parents in the community with your theater. What did you know then that others had not realized yet?

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack: It was so exciting because the first time I actually just came to New York and watched Camp Broadway in process, I knew that something special was happening. And it wasn’t just a camp activity that you were sending your child to, but it was a deepening of the roots of musical theater, a true American art form in young people. And I have a daughter myself. She’s no longer little, but she was a Camp Broadway camper. And partly what I learned from that is that you instill and plant that seed for theater at that young age. It stays, it blossoms, it grows, and they become lifelong supporters of theater, of art and culture. I would also say what’s really fascinating is they learn how to take risks and how to put themselves forward with a group of other young people they didn’t know and create something marvelous in a short amount of time. So what better way to have young people not only be dedicated to art culture and Broadway but to understand inside of them is a creative being who’s capable of problem-solving on all levels? Also, it teaches them to take the unfamiliar and make it familiar. And that’s what I think is fabulous about Broadway and about the fact that understanding each other through each other’s stories is what’s really, truly exciting. And you learn that at a young age and that the theater is a place where you can become familiar with the unfamiliar, you take it with you outside of the theater, into your community, and into other situations.

Camp Broadway: What role does Camp Broadway play right now in youray play right now in your community?

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack: For us to continue to do Camp Broadway, it’s really critical that people know how do you access, how do you get in, that there’s a place for you to come in, and that there’s a future. It isn’t about the past. We love the classics, but it’s also about the new voices. So our commitment to Camp Broadway is one that is about keeping this American art form musical theater deeply rooted, but also giving it breath and air so we know where the future goes with it.

Camp Broadway: You’ve paid tribute to your parents on various occasions. How did they encourage you and your siblings?

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack: What’s really great, my dad was in the military. He was in the Air Force, so we lived all over the world. But our parents gave us, and both my parents have passed on three gifts, and these were the three gifts. The first gift was, you will be a success if you just broaden your horizons. The second gift they had was, you must give back and you must give back to the community. My mother always said you stand on the shoulders of those who came before you. So I like to think of all those kids who came to Camp Broadway are creating those shoulders, that the next generation is going to stand on, and as they go forward, the next generation will stand on and they’ll stand on my shoulders. And then the third thing gift my parents gave me, which I think is really important, and theater is a place for it, my dad always said, get a job. He used to say, you can’t hide from work, so find the work you love and do that. And I think that Broadway, theater, and culture is a great place for a young person to work. And all of you parents who are listening to this thinking, oh no, my child’s not going to become a starving artist somewhere – you don’t have to starve. And you can use all of those skillset sets that you’ve learned from camp all the way up as you go forward.

Listen to Camp Broadway’s entire interview with Colleen Jennings-Roggensack on the Develop Your Character podcast.

Registration for Camp Broadway in Tempe, Arizona is open for 2024. For more information on the ASU Gammage program, click here.

Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, vice president for cultural affairs at Arizona State University and executive director of ASU Gammage, received Broadway League’s Distinguished Service Award.

Meet Katie Powers – Broadway Costumer and Camp Broadway Alum!

Katie Powers is a Camp Broadway alum who recently began her Broadway career working as a costumer on Rock of Ages. In our most current blog post, Katie shares her Camp Broadway experience and how it turned her into the professional she is today!

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by Katie Powers

Katie Powers (far right) Work, work, work… and lots of FUN at Camp Broadway Mainstage!

I quite literally grew up at Camp Broadway attending the week long programs in New York City each summer from 2007 to 2017. I was fortunate enough to experience all three camps offered; Shining Stars, Mainstage, and The Next Step, plus participated as part of the Camp Broadway Kids Ensemble. Before attending camp, I had taken part in the few musical theatre classes that were available to me while growing up in Arizona, but I found them lacking in authenticity. Understanding that the best way to get an authentic experience is to go to the source itself, my mom signed me up for my first summer with Camp Broadway!

At Camp Broadway, I found the authenticity I was looking for and knew I was being prepared for what I wanted to do. First of all, we rehearsed in the exact same studios as the real Broadway shows! You can’t get much more authentic than that! I am very thankful that I was able to become familiar with these studio spaces as well as the hours real professionals work with so early in my life. It’s nice to go to work in an area you already regard as a home.

Camp Broadway gave me my first experience putting together a fully cohesive story, as opposed to a few song-and-dance strung together. Two years as a Shining Star introduced me to the importance of the ensemble, the foundation that musical theatre is built upon. During camp, there was no competition for roles. We came to understand how to function as a group of unique individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses coming together to tell a story.

These lessons came in even more abundance once I was old enough to enroll in Mainstage where the real work begins. Camp Broadway, especially in the case of Mainstage, is not summer babysitting while Mom and Dad go to work. The week the campers spend at Camp Broadway Mainstage is work. It is fun work, rewarding work, work I would look forward to with anticipation all year, but work nonetheless. Learning a whole show in time for the Family Finale at the end of the week requires campers to exercise our bodies, our minds, and our creativity. At the end of the week, campers and parents alike are impressed at what we are able to accomplish in such a short amount of time and it all comes down to the hard work and dedication asked of the extraordinary kids. The week also provided a safe place to explore your abilities and to make mistakes. Throughout my time in Mainstage and after continuing to The Next Step, I learned to persist in the face of frustration and fear. I learned that criticism is constructive and offered by those who care about me so that I can refine my work. I was taught to make bold mistakes and to learn from them. I had found that theatre is a collaboration and to take inspiration from those around me who have strengths where I have weaknesses. These are all skills that I use in my professional life in wardrobe in costume design.

As a child, I had dreams of performing on a Broadway stage. However, after seven years of training to do just that I realized I was unhappy. I knew that I wanted to work in theatre but not as a performer. I am so thankful that Camp Broadway had always made it a priority to showcase all sides of the theatre business. In addition to summer camps, I also participated in the Camp Broadway Kids Ensemble. This audition-based ensemble, comprised of performing-loving kids from all over the country, is featured frequently at special events throughout the year including the New York Pops Annual Birthday Gala at Carnegie Hall. During rehearsals for this star-studded event, Camp Broadway organized an industry workshop that had opened my eyes to the fact that I could work on Broadway doing what I REALLY loved; sewing.

Katie Powers works as Costume Intern for the Camp Broadway Kids Ensemble performance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Fast-forward a few years and the Camp Broadway team was there to support me when I was ready to work. After aging out of the Camp Broadway programs, I was generously offered a position as the costume intern for the Camp Broadway Kids Ensemble appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November of 2017. It was here that I was able to demonstrate the skills that camp had fostered. I worked hard and without complaints. I persisted in the face of unexpected costuming crises and used quick thinking and cooperation to solve them. Most of all I learned others appreciate seeing these skills in you and come to trust your abilities. Camp Broadway taught me to be kind and connect with everyone I work with to build strong relationships. These concepts are so important as professional theatre is a close-knit community; nurture it and it will nurture you.

Katie Powers, costumer Rock of Ages

I am so very thankful for the 11 summers I spent as a Camp Broadway Kid. These many weeks ensured that the summers of my childhood were steeped in the world of musical theatre. This time in my life was essential in preparing me for a career in professional theatre and introduced me to my passion in life. The lessons I learned from the choreographers, music directors, leading players, and my fellow campers are invaluable to my career in professional theatre today. I am very proud to be working with Camp Broadway as an adult, and I hope that I am doing my part to prepare the next generation of theatre lovers!

 

Camp Broadway presents AT THIS STAGE

by Camp Broadway AT THIS STAGE™

Broadway has always been a destination for happiness, creative expression, and humanity. The stories and songs of the theatre serve as an outlet for inspiration, joy, celebration, and hope for a better future. With today’s world full of uncertainty, it can be downright scary! But trials and challenges can be used to reflect, improve, and join as a community to build a more positive world.

For 25 years, Camp Broadway® has been dedicated to making Broadway accessible and enriching for theatre-loving kids and their families through workshops, camps, and special events. While nobody could have predicted that Broadway shows wouldn’t be running each night, we want to do our part to make sure its brilliant stars continue to brighten and enlighten our world!

Camp Broadway® LLC and Streamable Learning have teamed up to present AT THIS STAGE™ a daily conversation with Broadway’s experts. Meet Broadway performers, designers, authors, career advisors, composers, and more! Classes are FREE and use distance learning technology to provide access to K-12 schools, homeschool networks, colleges, senior living and community centers, as well as any individual who has an internet connection. Audience members are encouraged to join the discussion and submit questions LIVE during the session!

Camp Broadway’s AT THIS STAGE™ will be hosted by actress/educator, Anna Raful; agent/author, Micheal Griffo and others. Sessions are scheduled daily and will feature professionals from many specialties in the theatre industry. We’re excited to bring together an all-star roster of guests for Broadway conversations.

You don’t want to miss the series debut! We’re excited to feature the one and only, Andrew Barth Feldman (Dear Evan Hansen, 2019). Andrew has an energy that lights up a room (and stage) and we’re excited to speak with him about his Broadway career, accomplishments, and how he’s giving back. This session will air Monday, March 23, 2020 at 1:30 pm EDT.

To view the schedule of guests and sign up visit www.CampBroadway.com/AtThisStage. New guests are being added daily! Already on the schedule include: actress, Krystal Joy Brown (Hamilton), author, Jenna Gavigan (Lulu the Broadway Mouse), renowned designer, Emilio Sosa, and more. Follow Camp Broadway® on social media for the latest guest announcements.

 

In Praise of the Process

by Denise Winchester

Don’t care how…I want it NOW… sound familiar? We all know ‘sweet’ little Veruca Salt, but maybe you have your OWN little Veruca at home (as I did a few years back), or maybe there’s a tiny little Veruca living inside of yourself (as there was inside of myself, a few years back) who wants it all now? If you’re finding yourself and/or your child becoming impatient, frustrated with the lack of “anything happening,” then it may be time to slow it down and examine your thoughts and beliefs about true success when raising a creative and/or performing child. Does it lie in the destination, or in the journey?

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Denise Winchester, single mom to 11-year-old Kid Reporter and creator of Kidsnewsnyc.com’s Waverly Winchester, and a brand new contributor to Camp Broadway’s Develop Your Character Blog. During the time between when Waverly was around 5 and just beginning to “develop her character” and now, I’ve learned an important lesson: You can’t get from A to Z without….P. What does the ‘P’ stand for? You guessed it: Process. And let’s throw in some patience, while we’re at it.

Whatever we want our kids to become – whatever they want to become for themselves – it all involves a process. I have a feeling that most parents, if not all, want the same thing for their children. We want them to succeed in life by trial and error, by eventually learning through their own actions and mistakes. We want them to learn about themselves and the world around them, to create themselves and become themselves in safe yet challenging environments. Throw in some fun and sprinkle in some Broadway Magic, and there you have Camp Broadway® – a great place for kids to discover themselves while discovering all about theater. Whatever anyone becomes in this life, there is a creative process attached to it, and in my opinion, there’s nowhere more fun to experience the creative process than the theater.

Literally, every aspect of theater, watching it, producing it, or performing it, is filled with opportunities for your child to learn about him or herself and his or her place in this world – and I firmly believe that raising a creative and engaged child is one of a parent’s most important responsibilities, and where better than the theater to begin a lifelong love of learning, of imagination, of creative development – on or off the stage? I’m thrilled to begin collaborating with Camp Broadway® along with my daughter because it provides so many lessons about life, about yourself all wrapped up in a fun and extremely creative, well, process, complete with all the magic of Broadway! Each session is a world of its own, filled with so many different ways to spark the creative process. From Shining Stars to Mainstage to MyMainstage to The Kids Ensemble, each provides a way for kids to learn about life and their place in it through theater and a process by which to become more engaged in life and more creative and imaginative.

Even Veruca would approve.

 

 

MEET THE AUTHOR

 

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“It’s Not Just Another Summer Camp, It’s Our Family’s Summer Adventure!”

“Camp Broadway is a place where thespians can go to do what they love – surrounded by people who really love it too!” says Isla Welge, age 11, who will be attending Camp Broadway in New York City for her third summer in 2020.

Isla Welge with parents and grandparents exploring NYC during the week of Camp Broadway Mainstage, Summer 2019

Camp Broadway is a family affair for the Welge’s bringing in grandparents from around the country to get together and spend quality time. Niki Welge, Isla’s mom, shared that the experience is wonderful for their family.

Camp Broadway Camper, Isla Welge, with parents, Billy and Niki Welge. Summer, 2019

“Camp Broadway gave us the opportunity to allow our daughter to spend a week doing what she loves while learning from the best of the best in NYC – a city rich with history and passion for musical theatre. It’s not just another summer camp, it’s our family’s summer adventure!”

The Welge Family takes advantage of all NYC has to offer, last summer seeing six Broadway shows and taking a behind-the-scenes Broadway tour of the New Amsterdam Theater.

“Participating in Camp Broadway in NYC is a theatre kid’s dream come true!” shared Niki.

Niki went on to say “It REALLY brings families together. We invited Isla’s grandparents (who live in Florida and Pennsylvania) to attend the showcase at the end of camp and they were thrilled at an opportunity to see Isla perform on stage in NYC!

Additionally, Billy Welge, Isla’s dad, grew up in New Jersey, so there are lots of family and friends in the area that the Welge Family connects with as a perk to their Camp Broadway Getaway!

Isla Welge performing in the Camp Broadway Family Finale featuring songs and scenes from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Niki shared “Because we live in Florida, my parents never get to see Isla perform, so they were SO excited to see her in the showcase. Plus, she was front and center in “Doll on a Music Box” – which made it even better. The choreography was SO cool!”

And at the center of all this theater-loving fun is Isla, having a blast with her new friends at Camp Broadway.

“I had an incredible experience and made life-long friends and memories. Camp Broadway is your place to shine in the spotlight!”

Campers, Isla Welge and Amanda Brown with Featured Player, Didi Gomez

 

 

A special thanks to the Welge family for sharing your experiences! Are you a Family or a Camper that wants to share your story?

14 Fun Facts from Shrek The Musical

The Dreamworks Animation Shrek franchise has been widely successful and is loved by over 41 million fans around the world. Its success brought about the Broadway musical in 2008. In this post, you’ll learn some fun facts about Shrek The Musical that may surprise you!

Shrek The Musical Script

  • Shrek is based on a children’s Book: You’ve probably never read the book, but the idea for Shrek came from a children’s book.  Late cartoonist William Stieg published Shrek in 1990, 11 years later it became a Dreamworks animated film, and in 2008, the first Shrek The Musical Broadway performance began.Shrek the musical: Shrek book

    Photo Credit: Amazon

  • Get to know the young Fiona: In the movie, we meet Fiona as a young adult woman stuck in a castle, a plot somewhat similar to Sleeping Beauty but this is not the case in Shrek The Musical!  Instead, we watch Fiona, grow from a young cheerful girl to a hopeful teenager and finally to a quirky adult.  The song, “I know it’s today” gives the audience more in-depth background information about Fiona’s life story.

Shrek The Musical Songs

    • There are exciting new songs to sing along to:  Once you watch the musical,  you will quickly realize that you don’t recognize the songs. That’s because many new songs were written for the Musical. A few songs from the movie like “I’ am a believer”, remained. Some fan favorites are- “Freak Flag”, “Big Bright Beautiful World”, “I know it’s today”, “Story Of My Life”, and many more!

  • The musical was choreographed by Josh Prince: who also choreographed the Broadway production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
  • Jeanine Tesori wrote the music for Shrek The Musical: She also wrote the music for Thoroughly Modern Millie, Violet, ‘Caroline, or Change, & Fun Home.
  • Lord Farquaad makes a reference to the hit Broadway Musical Wicked:  at the end of ‘What’s Up, Duloc?’ when he sings “and no one’s gonna bring me down!”

 

Shrek The Musical Cast

  • Brian D’Arcy James originated the role of Shrek on Broadway:  Several other actors namely Eric Petersen, Nigel Lindsay, Dean Chisnall, and Chris Munlep also played the role.
  • The Dragon wasn’t voiced by a soloist: Between 2008 – 2010, the voice of the Dragon was done by Broadway company members Haven Burton, Aymee Garcia, and Rachel Stern.
  • The Original Broadway cast starred Sutton Foster in the role of Fiona: While she can now be seen on TV in shows like Younger’ & Bunheads, she also originated roles in numerous musicals on Broadway, including Little Women, Drowsy Chaperone, and Young Frankenstein. She has six Tony award nominations and has won twice: once for Thoroughly Modern Millie and the other for the 2011 revival of Anything Goes.

Other Fun Facts

  • Bill Muray was almost cast as Donkey: Can you imagine not hearing the sound of Eddie Murphy’s comedic voice in Donkey? Neither can we, but it almost didn’t happen. Director, Steven Spielberg initially had Bill Murray in mind to be the voice of Donkey. However, the project didn’t go through until 1994 when he founded Dreamworks and by then things had changed and Eddie Murphy was cast as Donkey instead. Daniel Breaker is best known for playing Donkey in Shrek The Musical. He has also played Aaron Burr in the Hamilton.Shrek the Musical: Eddie Murphy as Donkey

    Photo Credit: Flickr

  • Shrek is not a random name: The word “Shrek” is derived from “Shrek Lekh” in Yiddish which could mean awful or terrible and “Schrecklich” in German that similarly means dreadful.
  • Shrek The Musical won two awards for costume design: a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. Shrek The Musical Custome

    Photo Credit: Flickr

  • Puss In Boots makes a short appearance: Although the character is not featured in the musical, Puss In Boots makes a silent cameo as he tips his hat to Shrek & Donkey during “Traveling Song”.
  • Shrek is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Shrek is one out of the 17 fictional characters on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Which one of these fun facts surprised you? Let us know in the comment section. If you love Shrek as much as we do, join us on MyMainstage, our virtual theatre camp to share your love for Shrek with us!

 

Defying Gravity

 

Ali Stoker

I have been binge-watching Ali Stroker on YouTube all week. Hold on. Ali Stroker is not a name in your cannon? Inconceivable! In 2019 she won the Tony Award for best actress in a musical. Talk about defying gravity! She’s in a wheelchair and incredible! TBH, I didn’t know who she was either until her amazing performance with her Oklahoma cast at the Tony’s that year. But now she is “part of my world.” Next month her debut middle grade novel written with Stacy Davidowitz, perfect for young theatre fans, will hit the shelves.

Theatre-loving 13-year-old Nat just moved from California to New Jersey leaving life with her BFF, Chloe, and her wheelchair racing world behind. When Dad drops her off for practice with a new racing team, she eyes a flyer announcing auditions for Wicked, her second favorite show only after Hamilton, at the JCC across the street.  The next day she skips a practice, heads over to the Center, and ultimately lands a role; her first-ever! Instant friendships, a crush, drama with Savannah, the lead, misunderstandings with Chloe, an adorable dog aptly named, Warbucks, an unexpected fire, karaoke, Pinterest cupcakes, an overabundance of Broadway references (especially Hamilton with a special shout out to my personal number from the play, “Dear Theodosia”) that only the serious theatre lover will appreciate…I wasn’t surprised when I smiled often and got “Defying Gravity” stuck in my head, but that moment that I shed a tear kind of threw me.

Group chats between the Broadway Bounders theatre kids are a big part of the book.  I absolutely LOVE all their names, each referencing a show or song.  Nat’s is “NatThrowinAwayMyShot.” How can you not love that? Do the promotional items for the book include a t-shirt or a sticker for my computer with the chat names? Speaking of swag, I wonder about a playlist.  I thought about it too late into the book but started making my own “Chance to Fly” on Spotify.  Please don’t judge me.  I tried to pick songs I could remember from the book and also just my favorites. What would Nat’s playlist look like? And while you are cueing up songs, make sure the Wicked soundtrack is ready, especially for the end.  My chills were literally multiplying during that part.

“‘I don’t want to be the next anyone…I want people to want to be the next me.'” Nat tells her dad.  I couldn’t help thinking was that 13-year-old Ali speaking? What aspiring actress wouldn’t want to be her now?

Dear theatre gods can you please let Ali and Stacy know that I have an Annie story to tell, too, and would love to hang out and be their friend (I’ll let it go that Stacy doesn’t spell her name correctly). When I was in 4th grade, I was Miss Hannigan. I know! Kind of unbelievable considering the source lol. It was the only lead in a play I ever got.  I wasn’t in it 17 times, but we can still be friends, right? PLUS–Ali and I share a birthday! So one a birthday and one a name. The three of us were meant to be!

Check out this video with Ali and Stacy. It’s 30 minutes long but worth it!

PS: This was one of those “G-d-I-Hope-I-Get-It” moments and I did! I’m the “Chief Bibliophile” for Camp Broadway’s Rialto Readers book club! Although we are still in our infant stage, it’s going to be big! Readers can sign up here.  I’ll be curating lists filled with books like Chance to Fly and so many others that kids like Nat and her Broadway Bounders friends will love. (PPS: Ali is a Camp Broadway alum–It was all meant to be!)

Meet the Author

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A Walk Down Memory Lane with Bill Ahearn – Remembering 20 Years

Note from Camp Broadway:
To celebrate our 25 years, we have been listening to stories from some of our longtime collaborators, fans, and alumni. This week we are thrilled to hear from Bill Ahearn who we met in Tempe, AZ.

Are you a Camp Broadway Alumni? Join Camp Broadway Forever to stay informed with news and events. We also want to hear your story — so sign up HERE and connect with us today!

Note from Bill:

My spouse Susan and I saw our first Camp Broadway Mainstage Family Finale 20 years ago when Camp Broadway took their camp on the road and came to the Arizona State University Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, AZ. We were simply amazed by the performance and what the students and Camp Broadway staff accomplished in just 5 days.

After seeing that first Family Finale, curiosity got the best of me, and I finally asked if I could sit in on a rehearsal and see how the process worked. After that, I never went away! I spent the last 16 years volunteering at ASU Gammage in any way I could to support Camp Broadway. I dedicated my time taking pictures during the camp week so the students (and all their family and friends) could have that memory of all they had accomplished. I’m honored to share some of those photos and memories below.

Summer of 2020 was certainly different for all of us, being in the virtual world. Regardless, Camp Broadway remains one of the highlights of the year for both Susan and myself. We never get tired of seeing how the students grow during their Camp Broadway experience.

Photo by Bill Ahearn

It was 10 years ago that marked Camp Broadway’s 10th year in Tempe, and that year we were first introduced to Broadway veteran, Holly Raye. I can still envision the spectacular choreography she developed for our students!  And what was the featured show that year?  None other than Guys and Dolls! “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat”, performed by the younger group of campers, was amazing! Since that first meeting a decade ago, it has been great to see Holly return to Tempe numerous times as the camp Director/Choreographer.

Those 10 years since Camp Broadway Mainstage last featured Guys and Dolls flew by, and I can still recall how wonderful that Family Finale performance was! So, I can’t tell you how excited we were to find out Camp Broadway would have a Guys and Dolls revival for the 2020 camp! It was a treat to see Holly Raye at the helm again AND Camp Broadway’s, Anna Raful, in the role of Adelaide, that she also performed at that 2010 camp! (pictured below).

Photo by Bill Ahearn

It’s hard to believe that so many of the girls in this picture with Anna grew up with Camp Broadway and then we watched them go off to college.

I’m really enjoying this trip down Memory Lane and looking at the photos from camps that many of the veteran Camp Broadway staff have worked on. The enthusiasm of the instructors is unwavering and was certainly not diminished this year by having to teach via the internet. It was not hard for me to imagine being in the back of the classroom with my camera, watching the Camp Broadway staff bringing out the best in our students.

Who else did we get to see again this year? Chris Lewis! Pictured here is Chris during Camp Broadway 2017 as he brought to life a great Shrek, complete with Scottish accent.

Photo by Bill Ahearn

have to admit that the Camp Broadway instructors are great and their level of expertise and professionalism is 2nd to none. After all these years, I’m still learning things from them, and I’ve been sitting in on classes for at least 15 years. It was difficult not seeing everyone in person this year, but here are two more favorite photos that bring back some wonderful memories! First, Isaak Olsen with the kids performing All Shook Up in 2015 and second, Alexandra Carter in 42nd Street in summer 2018!

Photo by Bill Ahearn
Photo by Bill Ahearn

all got me thinking back to 2010 again.  Besides our pleasure in meeting Anna and Holly that year, In the Heights was performing at ASU Gammage during the week of Camp Broadway Mainstage. Our director, Colleen, worked her magic and was able to line up a very special lunchtime visitor, the only and only, Lin-Manuel Miranda! Besides Lin-Manuel being amazing, he was genuine and enthusiastic with the campers.  The students got to tour the set and pose for pictures. What a wonderful Broadway experience for them… and me! One of many personal highlights of Camp Broadway.

Photo by Bill Ahearn

such a treat looking back and remembering all the highlights of Camp Broadway over the years. Virtual camp or in-person, we enjoy making new and unique memories every year with Camp Broadway, and we look forward to many more years to come to add to our 20+ year collection!

 

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