Broadway Dreams Foundation Celebrates its 10th Anniversary with New International Programs

Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with exciting new programming and expanded international destinations, including Russia and Brazil. The 2016 Summer Tour, GENERAT10N, will visit cities across the U.S. and Canada when it kicks off in Atlanta, GA on May 31, 2016. In each location, the premier non-profit performing arts training program will present an incredible roster of Broadway directors, performers, and industry insiders who will offer highly personalized musical theatre training and mentoring through unique, week-long performing arts intensive workshops for students of all ages, skill levels, and socio- economic backgrounds.

"This year, as the Broadway Dreams Foundation celebrates its 10th year of programming, we will shatter all expectations and make dreams come true in a record number of cities and countries," said BDF Executive Director Annette Tanner. "We recently participated in a historic collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, Stage Entertainment and Broadway Moscow to offer a first-of-its-kind Broadway intensive in Moscow. Next week we will offer our unique brand of programming to 70 aspiring performers in Brazil and later this month we will embark on an eight-city summer tour before traveling to Toronto for the second consecutive year. In addition, we're proud to announce that we have now landed roles for over 100 BDF students in Broadway shows or National Tours. If there is anyone who hasn't heard of BDF yet, I guarantee they will if they are serious about this business."

In addition to BDF's traditional Summer Intensives, the training program will offer Acting Intensives in three cities, Atlanta, GA; New York, NY; and Philadelphia, PA. These new three-day intensives will focus on basic acting techniques, movement for the body, monologue work, scene study, and master classes taught by industry professionals. Meant for students interested in honing their acting skills for stage and screen, the classes will culminate with an open classroom for casting directors and industry professionals.

Fresh off a groundbreaking 10-day program in Russia, BDF will expand it's international offerings with a six-day program in Brazil May 24 - 29, 2016. The intensive workshop, which has been underwritten by CAIXA Cultural and presented in partnership with Broadway Brazil, will take place in Fortaleza, Brazil for 70 students of all ages. Helmed by director / choreographers Dan Knechtges and Spencer Liff, the Intensive's faculty will join BDF teaching artists Nick Adams, Alex Newell, Craig D'Amico, and Annette Tanner with Brazilian star Saulo Vasconcelos (Phantom) and director Andre Lima-Gress.

During each BDF Summer Intensive, attendees receive first-rate training in acting, dance and vocal technique before performing alongside their Broadway idols in a dynamic concert directed by one of the industry's finest directors. Students also learn how to improve their audition skills and have the opportunity to audition and perform for top NYC casting directors and agents, including Craig Burns, Rachel Hoffman, and Caesar Rocha from Telsey + Company, Jamie Harris and Chase Renouf from Clear Talent Group, Victoria Morris from Lexikat, and Mark Redanty from BRS Talent Agency, all of whom offer valuable feedback.

BDF has a grand history of guiding students through their professional journey as young artists, giving them the tools, support and industry connections they need to succeed. Over the past several years, over 100 BDF students have landed roles in Broadway, national touring and regional productions. BDF students can currently be seen in the 2016 Tony Award-nominated productions of Hamilton, Waitress, and Tuck Everlasting.

The 2016 GENERAT10N Summer Tour will kick off at The Walker School in Atlanta, GA on May 31, 2016; followed by the Turner Pavilion at Midtown Crossing in Omaha, NE, McEachern High School in Atlanta, GA; RWS & Associates in New York, NY; The Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Los Angeles, CA; Theatre Aspen in Aspen, CO; Hawkins School of Performing Arts in Sacramento, CA; Dwight-Englewood School in Englewood, NJ; Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC; The Kimmel Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA; and Sheridan College in Toronto, Canada.

The 2016 BDF teaching faculty will include Nick Adams, Stafford Arima, Jenny Parsinen Bergold, Alexis Carra, Craig D'Amico, Quentin Earl Darrington, Taye Diggs, Drew Fornarola, Deidre Goodwin, Ariana Groover, Tyler Hanes, Craig Johnson, Dan Knechtges, Spencer Liff, Alex Newell, Marshall Pailet, Ryann Redmond, Nicholas Rodriguez, Matthew Lee Robinson, Kyme Sallid, Otis Sallid, Matt Scott, Jeffrey Sheckter, Alan Souza, Tony Vincent, Amanda Watkins, Ben Wheelwright, cast members from the touring company of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, and more.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation is a premier, national performing arts education program dedicated to ongoing engagement, inspiration, and access regardless of a student's ability to pay. With a faculty of Broadway stars, directors and agents committed to giving back to the theatrical community, BDF provides invaluable training to anyone who aspires for a career in the performing arts. The unique program offers students highly personalized and supportive mentorship, an exciting, and collaborative learning environment and ongoing networking to build confidence and life skills. In 2015, 42% of all BDF students participated on full or partial scholarship. Financial need based scholarships are available in all cities.

For more information on the Broadway Dreams Foundation, please visit: www.broadwaydreams.org.