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.
