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Camp Broadway Forever with Sammi, Jonathan, and Lila

Dear Camp Broadway Family,

For our 25th anniversary, we have been thrilled to hear from alumni and members of Camp Broadway Forever. Over the last week so many of you have reached out and I am thrilled to share some highlights and flashback photos from your time at Camp Broadway below!

Stay tuned as we debut online meet-ups, connections, and more. Anyone that has attended a Camp Broadway program and their family age 14+ (and anyone that has worked for Camp Broadway!) is encouraged to join through our website and our Facebook Group, Camp Broadway Forever

.

Check out these awesome memories and be sure to send me your own, too! I will be featuring several alumni every week.

See you at the theater one day soon,

 

 

Lila in Beauty and the Beast at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 2020

Lila D., Age 9, Florida

Shining Stars NYC, 2017

I attended Camp Broadway’s Shining Stars in 2017. It was really fun. I learned all kinds of great things and had fun with the show (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) we created and performed together. I stayed in New York City with my best friends and we went to CampBroadway together. I got to walk to camp every day with my family and friends. Being at Camp taught me new skills and prepared me for my first professional show. This February I played the part of the Little Girl in Prather/Broadway Palm’s production of Beauty and the Beast at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center near my home in Florida. I have amazing memories from Camp Broadway… designing props, singing, and dancing, coming up with an amazing new story and making new friends. I made forever-friends and I know that it was everything that prepared me for all of the theatres, singing, dancing, and acting I enjoy today.

 

Sammi Cannold, Camp Broadway Forever Member, NYC

CB Throwback

I’m working as a freelance director and most recently directed Evita at New York City Center and Celine Song’s Endlings Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop. Camp Broadway was everything to me growing up and the education it gave me has proven invaluable in my professional life — I’ve even found myself working on productions with several of my former camp-mates!

 

 

Camp Broadway Director, Jonathan Hadley

Jonathan Hadley, Camp Broadway Director, NYC

Memories from Mainstage New York City, 2002

Since these pictures were taken at Camp Broadway back in 2002, JONATHAN HADLEY has kept busy acting, directing, and teaching in New York and all over the country. You may have seen him as Bob Crewe in Jersey Boys, a role he played first on Broadway, then on the National Tour, and finally in Korea and Kuala Lumpur! Other tours include The Bodyguard and Fiddler on the Roof, and he is currently appearing in the stage version of CS Lewis’s The Great Divorce, which will resume its tour this Fall. Jonathan also received an MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College and was the Producing Director of the Depot Theatre, in Westport, NY for two seasons. But, of course, the best memories are those made at Camp Broadway!

Exclusive Interview: Tony Award Winning Broadway Producer, Dori Berinstein and Executive Podcast Producer Alan Seales

by Anna Allport

Hey, Camp Broadway fans! Did you hear the Big News?

We’re launching our first Camp Broadway Podcast: Develop Your Character, and it will be available today on the new smash-hit site for all things theater: the Broadway Podcast Network!

Camp Broadway’s Develop Your Character will be the very first BPN podcast dedicated to performing arts students and young performers, like you!

As we celebrate our podcast launch, let’s hear from the team who founded BPN, who—by the way—also want to hear from you! Check out the end of this post for ways to get your ideas for podcasts on the BPN airwaves!

So… as you probably know, podcasts are the perfect way to learn of the hot topics that Broadway is talking about. And the Broadway Podcast Network has you covered with a stellar lineup of theater industry hosts, plus super popular podcasts on theater-centric topics such as audition secrets, breaking into the biz, and chats with Broadway’s brightest stars.

BPN’s two founders, Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales created this centralized podcast hub as a digital home for the theater community’s storytellers—which makes sense since both of them are masterful storytellers, themselves.

Broadway Producer Dori Berinstein is a four-time Tony Award winner, whose most recent hit, The Prom, is currently being adapted for Netflix and will star Meryl Streep, Ariana Grande, and Keegan-Michael Key. Ms. Berinstein is an Emmy Award-winning director, producer, and writer for film and TV. She also co-founded Camp Broadway.

Executive Producer and CTO Alan Seales is a theater and technology maven, with experience acting, producing, and directing—as well as building websites, working as an engineer for Google, and heading Talks at Google.

I had the honor of speaking with Ms. Berinstein and Mr. Seales recently. Read on and catch their enthusiasm for theater podcasts!

CB: Both of you come from very successful backgrounds in theater: producing, directing, acting, writing, tech. So… how did you get into podcasts?

Dori Berinstein: I fell into podcasting as a commuter: listening to and loving the art of conversation. It’s a rare thing these days when people are lost in deep conversation about a particular topic, and I really love that and treasure it…. But I had trouble finding theater podcasts. We’re surrounded by amazing storytellers in our theater community: this is the perfect world to find conversationalists… and so, it’s the perfect community for a podcast network, which brings people who want to talk about theater together.

Alan Seales: Yeah, I was looking for content and couldn’t really find anything, either, so I created my own podcast…. But I realized that there were, literally, dozens and dozens of other theater podcasts that already existed—great content that people aren’t able to discover. So it seemed like a no-brainer to pull them all together in one place, where we can work together and complement each other, in terms of sponsorship and exposure. And podcasts are great: for me, being in New York, on the subway, they’re accessible and portable. Theater on demand!

CB: Did the two of you participate in the theater when you were in school? If you did—or didn’t—how did that shape you as a theater professional?

Alan Seales: I had a real interest in technology and engineering—but also grew up loving performing and the arts. My parents encouraged the engineering and computer side, and I got a computer science degree, but after that, I thought: ‘I’m gonna try to be an actor.’ But I wound up combining tech and performing. I supported myself by making websites for people, in addition to my Actor’s Equity weekly pay in regional theater. But I always wished I had a resource like Camp Broadway when I was younger. There was theater stuff I learned in my mid-to-late twenties that I wish I had learned in my mid-to-late teens.

Dori Berinstein: As a kid, I knew that I loved theater so much, from my earliest memory…. I auditioned for everything because I just wanted to be part of that community, but I wasn’t cast. And when I was growing up, there were no opportunities to be behind the curtain—to direct or produce or apprentice in any way— so it wasn’t until adult life that I got to be part of this community. If there had been a place like Camp Broadway when I was growing up, I would have been thrilled, because Camp Broadway was never about having to be really good from the start, it is about the love of theater, and just being a part of it. That would’ve been the perfect place for me—which was my incentive, along with Susan [Lee’s], to launch Camp Broadway.

CB: Do you have any advice for performing arts students hoping for careers in the theater?

Alan Seales: Basically, if you like doing anything, there’s a place for you in the theater. There are writers, directors, actors, producers, tech jobs… there are front-of-the-house managers, back-of-the-house managers, people who do the finances and budgets, people who maintain the staff and the payrolls, press agents, and marketing agents… So, really, my advice is: do a little research, dig into the podcast world, see what’s out there in terms of job categories. There are plenty of ways to be successful without ever making it to a Broadway stage. There’s regional theater. Community theater. Do you like reading music? Do you like composing? Be an instrumentalist. Do you like telling stories? Become a playwright. Start writing stuff down. Or be a lyricist. There are so many ways to do what you like in the theater. Just find your niche!

Dori Berinstein: Theater should be part of everyone’s life. If you can, go to the theater. Whether it’s Broadway, regional theater, local theater, theater at school…go. You know, I did a lot of work with Carol Channing. I made a film about her life. And I laughed when she always said: “Theater is fertilizer on the brain.” And I really agree with her! Theater helps you see the world in so many new ways. When you put on a show, you have your ‘theater family,’ and it’s an incredible experience. I look back and I think I was so right to want that and chase that, and it is everything I hoped it would be. And so, however you’re a part of theater, make sure it’s part of your life!

CB: Anything else that you would like to share with the Camp Broadway audience?

Dori Berinstein: What I love about what we’ve created with the Broadway Podcast Network is that there are so many voices! When you go to BPN, maybe you’re familiar with one podcast, but you very organically discover so many other different podcasts, and voices, and storytellers. There’s something for everyone. It’s like a one-stop-shopping place for everything theater!

Alan Seales:

And we’re putting together a bunch of new original content, too, that I really can’t mention yet—but go to BPN.FM and sign up for VIP notifications. There’s just so much good stuff there, and more good stuff coming!

Dori Berinstein:

I’d like to add that we want to make sure that we support podcasts for the Camp Broadway audience. What kinds of podcasts would you like to hear? Which podcast guests would be your dream guests? Engage with us, so that we can be sure that we’re creating content that would be exciting for you!

 

You heard it, Camp Broadway fam: The Broadway Podcast Network welcomes your suggestions and ideas! Please send them to: https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com

 

Visit Dori Berinstein:

Dramatic Forces

Deep Dive Broadway

Instagram

 

Visit Alan Seales:

Theatre Podcast

Broadcast Network

Instagram

 

Special thanks to Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales for this exclusive interview—and for collaborating with Camp Broadway to launch our Develop Your Character podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network!

Broadway’s Got the Beat!

Skylar at Head Over Heels on BroadwayBy Skylar Raye Noyes

If you are looking for a hilarious, exciting, relevant show with both incredible dancing and singing, then you need to go see Head Over Heels right now! This musical is very empowering to watch because it promotes self-expression, self-love, and self-acceptance! Not to mention, it is a hilarious comedy and the Go Go’s music had me dancing in my seat the entire show! The story also takes place during the Renaissance, which I loved. I was certainly head over heels for Head Over Heels!

Peppermint

The storyline follows the love lives of the main characters, each one overcoming obstacles along the way in order to find their love. The snake, Pythio, guides the lovers and helps them accept themselves for who they are. Besides the amazing dancing, the highlight of the show was Pythio, who was played by Peppermint, the first transgender woman to originate a principal role on Broadway! I loved seeing her represented on the stage! Her character, Pythio, promotes self-expression and self-acceptance, helping the characters become comfortable with loving who they love. Watching this play out on the Broadway stage made me so happy. I wish everyone could learn to love themselves and each other for who they are! The “be yourself” message certainly inspired me and the audience. During intermission, I felt the loving energy throughout the theatre as I sat in my seat. The empowering message of Head Over Heels was already inspiring this audience! The great impact that theatre has on people is truly amazing, and this show certainly impacted this audience.

Jeremy Kushnier

During Act Two, I became aware of some creative symbolism. The purpose of Head Over Heels taking place during the Renaissance was because renaissance means “rebirth” in Old French. The society in the musical goes through a rebirth itself at the end of the show when a new open-minded ideology sweeps over the kingdom. It was also exciting to see Rachel York play Gynecia because a few years ago, I performed at Carnegie Hall with her thanks to Camp Broadway! Overall, the show is powerful, hilarious, inspiring, and empowering. The music is also extremely catchy, so I’m going to go listen to the soundtrack of Head Over Heels right now!

After the show, I went to the stage door to meet the cast and ask them a few questions!

What is a message that you hope people take away from seeing Head Over Heels???

Jeremy Kushnier: “This is a message of acceptance, I think that we live in hard times right now politically, and it’s more important now than ever to live and let live, and love is love is love!.”

Bonnie Milligan: “Accepting who you are, your true authentic self is what leads to happiness and accepting that in others. The world needs to be more inclusive, that is beautiful and brings joy”

Taylor Iman Jones: “That Love is love, and acceptance is within all of us…all we have to do is love each other.”

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Peppermint: “Be yourself!”

Head Over Heels concludes its Broadway run on January 6 so get tickets now at Head Over Heals Musical.

Head Over Heels was named a 2018 TOP 10 Pick from Entertainment Weekly!

Thank you to Eric Gelb, co-producer of Head Over Heels, for setting us up to review this amazing show. Eric is a Camp Broadway blogger who now attends NYU’s Steinhardt School for Culture, Education, and Human Development for educational theatre. Stay tuned for a look at NYU’s Legally Blonde, which Eric directed. With Eric’s talent, drive, and initiative, not to mention his beaming personality, we know he will go far in the theatre world and we are looking forward to seeing what he does next!

Meet CB Alumni: Eric Gelb

Our very own Eric Gelb is getting into the producing/directing game… BIG TIME! Eric was a former blogger and editor for Camp Broadway, who now attends NYU’s Steinhardt School for Culture, Education, and Human Development for educational theatre. He is currently Co-Producer of Broadway’s Head Over Heels and directing NYU’s Legally Blonde the Musical… and we couldn’t be more proud!

I was able to catch up with Eric and talk with him about his motivation and passion for directing and producing. Stay tuned for an exciting review about both shows! In the meantime, follow the links below for more information.

When you were younger, how did you get started as a Camp Broadway blogger? Did you take any classes or attend any events with CB?

I grew up with an incredible theatre community at a local community arts organization – Project DayDream, Inc. A theatre mom had tagged me in a call looking for bloggers and I applied and started first as a blogger and eventually became an editor, working closely with talented young writers across the nation. It’s an experience that helped me grow immensely in taking initiative, being responsible, and continually creating content for a growing audience.

What was one of the most memorable blogs or experiences that you have had with Camp Broadway?

My senior year of high school was my final year with Camp Broadway and it was a huge transitional time for me. Something I loved about CB was I always felt like I had an anchor to NYC. I came back and forth to NYC to visit schools, and Kerry, my advisor, invited me to visit the CB offices. It was my first “NYC meeting” ever in a fancy office in Midtown, and I got to meet the people who make CB happen and got to hand-deliver my portfolio to the staff and talk to them about my future with CB (which is happening soon, I promise!). It was so cool and a milestone for me — and confirmed that I wanted to come to NYC.

When did you decide that you wanted to become a producer and what sparked this interest?

I’ve wanted to produce ever since I was little – I co-produced my first musical when I was 13 (long story…) and I loved the control I had to help find the venue, the team, the performers, pulling it all together. It’s a very unique role where you get to see and interact with so much that makes the job what it is.

What does your job as a producer entail?

Getting the money to make the show happen.

What was your very first producing experience?

I was unsatisfied with the opportunities that my town had for young people who didn’t want to be on stage. My best friend wrote a musical when we were 13 and I co-produced it with him. It was the best.

How did you get the opportunity to co-produce Head Over Heels?

I’m part of a producing initiative that helps underrepresented groups break into the Broadway community! My work on the show started in May and continued until the show opened.

What sparked your passion for directing, what do you love about it?

I fell into it. I knew I wanted to work offstage, and through my work as a general intern at a Performing Arts Education and Entertainment company, I found I liked being in charge and cleaning up moments in the show. What do I love about it? Directing is a highly personal experience. I like getting to know people through the method in which they perform and watching them grow and building that relationship of trust. It’s very special.

What does your job as a director entail?

I block the show. Who comes on when, who leaves when, why they do it and how they do it. I take care of transitions, how we move from scene to scene, and the tone of the show, which influences everything else – the set, costumes, lights. etc.

Is Legally Blonde your first directing experience? How did you get the opportunity to direct this show?

This is my first time directing on my own, but I’ve assistant-directed and student-directed, and co-directed before. I’m on the board of a club here at school, Lamplighters NYU which creates free theatre for young audiences in NYC and was given the opportunity to propose a show and direct it to the board. My friend Victoria suggested my favorite show of all time, Legally Blonde the Musical. And here we are!

How do you balance your NYU schoolwork with your job as a director/producer for both Legally Blonde the Musical and Head Over Heels?

Passion. The love for the work makes the 2 am work nights better. Seriously.

What are some differences and similarities when working on NYU’s Legally Blonde the Musical and Broadway’s Head Over Heels?

They both are the same in terms of reputation. Both very high-profile shows that people have high expectations for and you have to wow them not only in the show but in the PR and the other stuff that comes with it. Differences, Legally Blonde already existed in the world and it was my job as a director to figure out how we can tear it apart to make it worthy of being produced in 2018, and Head Over Heels’ story is completely original, with allows for a little more flexibility creatively.

Thank you to Eric for being so gracious and taking the time to speak to our readers! We all enjoy a little inside scoop and glimpse into the theatre world in New York City. I can’t wait to see both shows and tell you all about them!

Go see Legally Blonde the Musical November 16 through 18 on Facebook 

Head Over Heels 

Stay tuned!

Skylar Raye Noyes

A New Legacy for Camp Broadway

Broadway’s “Gypsy Swatch” is getting a new name—The Legacy Project—inspired by the Actors’ Equity Association, who changed the name of the “Gypsy Robe” to The Legacy Robe in 2018.

The tradition of the Legacy Robe originally called the Gypsy Robe, began on Broadway in 1950, when a member of a Broadway musical chorus presented a tattered feather-trimmed robe to a friend performing in the chorus of Call Me Madam. This actor added a piece of fabric from Ethel Merman’s costume to the robe and passed it on to another chorus member who was performing in Guys and Dolls (the very musical Camp Broadway features at their 25th-anniversary camp). Since that time, a Robe has been passed from production to production, ceremoniously presented to an ensemble member of the show on opening night at Broadway musicals. The presentation of the robe is one of Broadway’s most enduring traditions.

Actors’ Equity Association, the trade group for professional stage actors, is the industry steward of The Legacy Robe. As with any good tradition, there are specific rules that the Legacy Robe adheres to:

  1. The Legacy Robe goes only to Broadway musicals with a chorus.
  2. The Robe goes to a chorus member-only, whoever has the largest number of Broadway Chorus credits.
  3. The Ceremony traditionally occurs half an hour before opening night.
  4. The new recipient must put on Robe and circle the stage counterclockwise three times, while cast members reach out and touch Robe for good luck. The new recipient then visits each dressing room while wearing the Robe.
  5. The new recipient supervises the addition of appliques from their show to the Robe. Important rules for adding mementos: for wearability, durability, and longevity, add-ons must be lightweight, sturdy, and reasonably sized so each Robe can represent a full season.
  6. The opening night date and recipient’s name are written on or near the memento, and cast members only sign that section of Robe.
  7. The recipient will attend the next Broadway musical opening and will present the Robe to that show’s recipient.

Broadway dancer and Camp Broadway director/choreographer, Kristine Bendul, was a recipient of this famous Robe for her work in Twyla Tharp’s Come Fly Away.

“You dream so big, hoping to land that Broadway show and then the stars align, and you can say you have finally made it on the Great White Way! You don’t think the excitement of an opening night on Broadway can possibly be topped, that is until you realize you’ve become the recipient of the Gypsy Robe. It’s an honor to recognized for all of the time and hard work you have invested to get you where you are. I know the name has since been changed to the Legacy Robe, but it will always be the Gypsy Robe to me in my heart. I am a true nomad and free-spirited person and I am blessed to have been a Broadway gypsy.”

Soon after the company opened in 1995, Camp Broadway put its own spin on this beloved Broadway tradition to enable theatre-loving kids to become part of the larger theatre community. At Camp Broadway, each camper is given a 6” x 6” fabric square, which is called a “gypsy swatch,” on which they are to create an original work of art to represent their unique “character”. (For many years, the fabric for these squares was donated to Camp Broadway by the wardrobe departments from Broadway shows to add extra authenticity to the tradition for the campers.) Each camper is then invited to take a bow in front of the camp cast and “pin” his/her swatch on our official robe—which travels from theatre to theatre across the country where one member of the Camp Broadway ensemble who has been attending camp for the most years gets to wear it for our family finale. By summer’s end, hundreds of separate colorful swatches have become one beautiful mosaic.

Camp Broadway choreographer and director Holly Raye had this to say about the company’s approach to this time-honored custom:

“There is so much history in the tradition of the [Legacy Robe] on Broadway because it honors the Ensemble performers who are the backbone of the show…When I started working with Camp Broadway in 2007, I was very excited to see how the company used the tradition of the Robe to teach campers the important lesson—that although they are part of a group each person plays his/her part in the overall success of the performance. Everyone at Camp Broadway loves this tradition and especially loves sharing it with the next generation of Broadway performers. The campers are fully engaged, and so happy for the recipient…you can tell they all want to be ‘the one’ one day.”

With more than 60 years of Broadway history embodied in the Robe, why the name change? While the word “Gypsy” was originally used to celebrate the ensemble actor/singer/dancer who traveled from show to show on Broadway, the term has taken on a negative connotation in recent years and viewed as an insult to the Roma people.

As artists, educators, and stewards of Broadways’ grand traditions, Camp Broadway LLC marks the company’s 25th anniversary by following in the footsteps of the visionaries who work we celebrate. As it was at the inception of the company and will continue to be ever so, Camp Broadway is committed to excellence and inclusion and welcomes audiences of all ages from everywhere in the world—all ethnicities and religions. The Camp Broadway Legacy Project will continue to be an important part of our annual programming. By doing so, the thousands of unique, colorful, and original works of art designed by each one of our campers, year after year, will symbolize the collective creativity and artistic contribution of future artists and audiences.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

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Mrs. Doubtfire Comes to Camp Broadway!

HELLOOOO! CAMP BROADWAY…

MRS. DOUBTFIRE THE MUSICAL TO BE FEATURED AT

VIRTUAL MUSICAL THEATER CAMP FOR KIDS, 10-17

TWO SESSIONS ONLY—JULY 13-24 AND JULY 27-AUG 7

Camp Broadway LLC, an award-winning leader in theater arts-focused youth enrichment programming, celebrates the company’s 25th anniversary with the announcement of MyMainstage—their first virtual, fully interactive, musical theater camp that is taught LIVE by Broadway professionals and delivered online to aspiring performers in the comfort and safety of their own home. MyMainstage includes 30-hours (Monday through Friday over two weeks, 3-hours per day) of classes in singing, dancing, acting, and related activities that culminate in a professionally-produced video of the camp ensemble showcase with LIVE commentary from special guests.

“Although theatres and many camps in New York and across the country are closed, we are dedicated to keeping Broadway in the hearts and minds of families and kids,” says Camp Broadway CEO, Susan E. Lee. “This summer, we are excited that our campers will still get to go inside a Broadway show thanks to producer, Kevin McCollum, and his team at Mrs. Doubtfire.” Camp Broadway’s campers from around the country will get an exclusive insiders’ peak into the making of this delightful family-focused musical along with interactive discussions with members of the show’s cast, creative, production team. This interactive program will be presented LIVE exclusively on Broadway on Demand. Other special guests at Camp Broadway this summer include William Berloni, Berloni Theatrical Animals, and Jenna Gavigan, actress/author of “Lulu the Broadway Mouse.”

Theatre-loving kids who would have attended camp at many of Camp Broadway’s partner theatres around the country will be singing and dancing with kids from as far away as Qatar and Guatemala. “Hosting a virtual camp allows Camp Broadway to make our musical theatre experience accessible to a much broader audience. All kids, whether or not they have performing experience, are welcome” says Lee.

Camp Broadway is proud to be presented at premier performing arts centers including ASU Gammage (Tempe, AZ), the Las Casas Foundation (San Antonio, TX), Smith Center (Las Vegas, NV), Adrienne Arsht Center (Miami, FL), FSCJ Artist Series (Jacksonville, FL), and West Hampton Beach (Long Island, NY).

Known as “Broadway’s original destination for theatre-loving kids,” Camp Broadways’ 2020 theme is “New York, New York.” Kids, ages 10-17, will have a fun and informative online theatre experience that encourages creative collaboration and new friendships. Under the leadership of director/choreographer and Broadway performer Holly Raye, campers will learn scenes and staging from Guys and Dolls Jr., considered to be one of Broadway’s most perfect musicals. A team of music directors led by J. Navarro will teach a selection of the shows’ iconic songs including “Adelaide’s Lament,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat”. The campers will also learn a Salute to Broadway medley, meet special guests, and much more.

Camp Broadway is presenting two camp sessions only: July 13-24 (sold out) and July 27-Aug. 7. For effective teaching and to promote personal interaction between teacher and camper, each session is limited to 60 participants.

For more information on MyMainstage, visit www.campbroadway.com/mymainstage.

Complete list of creative and teaching staff, visit https://campbroadway.com/team/

 

About Camp Broadway:

Camp Broadway LLC is an award-winning leader in audience engagement and a trusted source for parents, teachers, and presenters seeking quality year-round enrichment programs, experiential events, and educational workshops. Launched in 1995, the company makes theatre arts accessible for creative children to build confidence, hone presentation skills and discover their unique talents at every stage of their lives. Other programs include At This Stage, The Kids Ensemble, and The Roger Rees Awards. For more information, visit www.campbroadway.com.

For information on Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical, visit https://mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com/

ANNOUNCING HOMESCHOOLING CO-OP

ATTENTION HOME SCHOOL PARENTS

CAMP BROADWAY ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF HOMESCHOOLING CO-OP TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THEATRE ARTS PROGRAMS, and

CELEBRATES 2020 HOMESCHOOLING CERTIFICATION BY OFFERING A FULL SCHOLARSHIP FOR A STUDENT, 10-16, TO ATTEND OUR VIRTUAL MUSICAL THEATRE CAMP, JULY 27-AUG 7

Camp Broadway LLC, an award-winning leader in theater arts-focused youth enrichment programming, celebrates the company’s 25th anniversary with the announcement that it has received the Homeschooling Parent Association 2020 Certification. To advance our commitment to providing homeschool kids with access to theater arts education, we are forming the Camp Broadway Homeschool Theater Arts Co-Op and will host a bi-monthly virtual meeting beginning Tuesday, July 7 at 4:00 pm to encourage an ongoing dialogue with families and discuss topics of interest to the group.

To further the company’s mission to serve the members of the Homeschooling Parent Association community, Camp Broadway is pleased to offer a full scholarship for a theatre-loving homeschooled student age 10-16 to attend MyMainstage, a new song and dance-filled enrichment program for theatre-loving kids. This program is taught LIVE by Broadway professionals and delivered online to aspiring performers in the comfort and safety of their own homes. The session is being held from July 27 through Aug. 7. MyMainstage package is valued at $875 and includes LIVE instruction to all classes, access to the viewing party, official camp t-shirt and a commemorative patch, downloadable camp content and instructions for uploading videos and photos, and presentation of the professionally produced Family Finale. The scholarship application must be received by 6:00 pm on Tuesday, June 30. The recipient will be announced at the above-mentioned digital gathering on July 7th.

For program details, contact Barb at 212.575.2055 or barb@campbroadway.com To apply, CLICK HERE

About Camp Broadway MyMainstage: This is Camp Broadway’s 1st virtual, fully interactive, musical theater camp. It includes 30-hours (Monday through Friday over 2-weeks) of classes in singing, dancing, acting, and related activities that culminate in a professionally-produced video of the camp ensemble showcase with LIVE commentary from special guests presented exclusively on Broadway on Demand. Known as “Broadway’s original destination for theatre-loving kids,” Camp Broadways’ 2020 theme is “New York, New York.” Kids, ages 10-16, will have a fun and informative online theatre experience that encourages creative collaboration and new friendships. Under the leadership of director/choreographer and Broadway performer Holly Raye, campers will learn scenes and staging from Guys and Dolls Jr., considered to be one of Broadway’s most perfect musicals. Music Directors will teach a selection of the shows’ iconic songs including “Adelaide’s Lament,” “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat”. Campers will also learn a Salute to Broadway medley, attend an exclusive watch party of a Broadway musical, meet special guests, and much more. To promote personal interaction between teacher and camper, enrollment is limited to 60.

www.campbroadway.com

Chasing Guys and Dolls

by Holly Raye

In 1992, Guys and Dolls directed by Jerry Zaks, starring Faith Prince, Nathan Lane opened on Broadway. I didn’t have an opportunity to audition for the original cast as I was on tour with another show for two years during that time. On a tour break, I went back to NYC and got tickets for the show. I was breathless waiting for it to start and almost unable to contain my desire to part of the cast! As I watched the exceptional performances, particularly the chorus, I was taken by the level of precision and heart in the choreography. I knew in my gut that this was going to be my first Broadway show, and I wanted it bad

Three months later I found myself on break from tour once again and went to an open call for a swing position in Guys and Dolls. I was cut after the first combination! “Surely they had made a mistake,” I thought. My fears were confirmed when choreographer, Chris Chadman, walked directly over to me, took my hand in his, and said, “thank you for coming.” My heart sank as I left the room feeling defeated and questioning my intuition. Ultimately, it was a friend of mine that was given the swing position, and I was very happy for her.

Six months later I returned from tour and started auditioning for anything to keep myself in New York City. My first week back I auditioned at Radio City Music Hall for the Easter Show and that same day went to the Winter Garden Theatre for my first ever attempt at Cats where I was let go after singing. But later that afternoon I received a call from casting director, Tara Rubin, who saw me at the Cats audition. She invited me to a private call for a replacement for Guys and Dolls!

I was one of only four girls being considered. The other actresses were brunette and shorter. I could tell Mr. Chadman really liked one girl in particular, but I gave it my all and felt really good about my performance. The next day I got a call from Tara Rubin saying I got the replacement position in Guys and Dolls.  I was shocked and overjoyed! I later found out they had originally cast another dancer, but she was signed for a show at Papermill Playhouse and was not allowed to break her contract.

I was thrilled at the opportunity to make my Broadway debut in THE show I always knew would be mine one day, even if it was as a replacement. Eventually, I was asked to join the cast permanently and I stayed with the show until it closed two years later.

The moral of the story is…you are never really auditioning for what you think! If I had not gone to the Cats audition, I would not have been invited to the private call for Guys and Dolls. That’s why it’s so important to show up and do your best. The rest will fall into place exactly when it’s right and when you are ready! Let go of the attachment to what you think should happen and always share the joy and celebrate the successes of those around you.

Some of my favorite moments: 

  • Sneaking into the downstage left wing to watch whenever Wade Williams was on for Sky Masterson. His chemistry with Kim Crosby as Miss Sarah was palpable. I can still feel it! Watching them in their scenes together was magical.
  • My friendship with JK Simmons. He played Benny Southstreet and is an incredible guy. He is now an Oscar-winning film actor!
  • Watching Walter Bobbie wipe the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief after “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and muttering under his breath, “I’m getting too old for this…”
  • Watching Faith Prince in “Adelaide’s Lament” break the fourth wall when someone from the audience sneezes loudly during her song.
  • Chris Chadman giving me the Havana Dance Specialty, because “I asked for it”.
  • Mark Esposito, dance captain, set the bar very high for this honored position.
  • My favorite Sky Masterson, Tom Wopat, entering the theatre at half-hour…cough once and give the perfect performance.  He never missed a show his entire contract!
  • All the “Dolls” showering me with gifts in the dressing room on my 30th birthday!
  • I still have my “Take Back Your Mink” shoes
  • Celebrating the Tony Award-winning successes of my fellow cast members, Andy Blankenbueller and Sergio Trujillo.
  • In 2000, six years after Guys and Dolls closed, I was reunited with several of my cast members and Director, Jerry Zaks, on the Broadway show Swing.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Camp Broadway Parent weighs-in on the value of genuine, enriching programming

At Camp Broadway® authentic and enriching programs are at the core of what we do. Nothing captures that better than testimonials from our parents who have insider knowledge as to how their child has grown as a result of their experience. We’re thrilled to introduce, Camp Broadway Parent, Anita McLaurin. Anita’s daughter, Erica, attended Camp Broadway® Mainstage in San Antonio presented in partnership with the Las Casas Foundation. Anita candidly shares her story and how Camp Broadway-inspired Erica to not give up on her dreams. To learn more about Camp Broadway San Antonio, CLICK HERE.

 

Anita’s Story:

The theater teacher had crushed her spirit. I thought to myself, “How in the world did this happen?” As a homeschool mom, I had been watching my daughter, Erica, develop this gift for costume design, acting, and singing, so I decided to put her in a local performing arts school that catered to high school students.

But four weeks into the program, she came home sad, discouraged, and pretty much a wreck. Long story short, I withdrew her from the program. Erica said, “Mom, I don’t think performing arts is for me.” In four short weeks, this talented child had gone from “this is what I want to do” to “never again.” How did this happen? I prayed for her to come to terms with the situation and try again somewhere else, but she was not having it.

Then I came across a video of Susan Lee, CEO of Camp Broadway. She spoke with such genuine, concern, and caring for the children. This program wasn’t about perfection, it was about a love of theater and creating an authentic experience for the children no matter their skill level. I asked Erica to give it one more try, and I’m so glad she said, “Yes.”

The experience reignited her soul. Every day she came home talking about the things she learned. The instructors were extremely talented, but much more importantly they helped the children develop character. Erica came home a better person.

After one experience with Camp Broadway, Erica has gained the confidence to try again. She has joined a local theater group and a summer conservatory. Because her desire is to major in musical theater, she auditioned for a performing arts school in New York and has been accepted. This would not have happened without the loving care and professionalism of Camp Broadway. Thank you for helping make Erica’s dreams come true!

 

Meet the Author

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To learn more about Camp Broadway®, visit www.CampBroadway.com