Stars from Broadway's BRING IT ON & More Teach at R.Evolución Latina's D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp, Now thru 7/20

More than a dozen Broadway and International Artists, including cast members from hit shows The Lion King, Fela, Bring It On, Book of Mormon, and the original productions of In The Heights, Swing! and Kiss of the Spider Woman, among others, will donate their time as volunteer teachers for R.Evolución Latina's 5th Annual Dare to Go Beyond (D2GB) Children's Performing Arts Camp, scheduled for today, July 16-July 20.

Nearly 200 children ages 7-17, from multiple schools and organizations citywide, will take part in the week-long educational program that teaches dance, voice, acting, and other performance disciplines. The free-of-charge curriculum will utilize the arts to develop skills in leadership, collaboration, commitment, respect, and self-awareness, while promoting health, fitness, environmental awareness, and civic engagement.

"Each year, R.Evolución Latina provides children from underserved communities with the exciting and unique opportunity to learn from and be inspired by some of the most avant-garde artists on Broadway and the international stage", said Actor/Choreographer/Director Luis Salgado, Founder and Artistic Director of R.Evolución Latina. "In 2012 we are thrilled to expand the D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp, which has now become a summer tradition".

The Camp will meet all-day at Pearl Studios in Manhattan. A presentation of the students' progress will be held on Friday, July 20th, 2:00 pm, highlighting the theme of this year's Camp, "Imagination".

"Similar to all of R.Evolución Latina's educational programs, we teach a curriculum for life", Salgado explained. "The arts are vital to forge the new citizens of the world, and whether children choose a career in the arts or move on to become lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs or scientists, they will carry life-transforming lessons about teamwork, perseverance, commitment, self and social awareness, which are invaluable for their personal and professional growth", he added.

Volunteer teaching artists in 2012 include Salgado (Women on the Verge, In The Heights, Candela), Rickey Tripp ("SMASH", In The Heights), Jon Rua (Hands on A Hard Body, In the Heights), Michelle Brugal (Lion King), Elasea Douglas (Fela), Valeria Cossu (DC7- The Roberto Clemente Story, Candela), Stephanie Klemons (Bring It On, In The Heights), Christina Black (In The Heights - 1st National Tour), Grisel Pren Monje (Zapata), Jerome Harmann (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Swing!), Becky Baumwoll (Broken Box Mime Company), Danielle Pretsfelder (Nickelodeon), Leslie Feliciano (Choreographer/Instructor, Broadway Dance Center), Kat Sherrell (In The Heights), Lawrence Stallings (Book of Mormon) and Michael Balderrama (Ghost, In The Heights), among others.

The D2GB Children's Performing Arts Camp is possible through the generosity of the Herman Goldman Foundation. Due to overwhelming response from schools and community organizations, 2012 registration is currently closed.

R.Evolución Latina (RL) is an organization that empowers the artistic community, and inspires growth within the Latino community through educational support programs, productions and partnerships. With the slogan "Dare to Go Beyond", the organization is modeled on what it calls "The Circle Effect", a platform that seeks to create a multilevel, multicultural, and multigenerational community where leaders are nurtured and supported, and they in turn make a difference and support others in their neighborhood.

R.Evolución Latina's most celebrated programs include the Beyond Workshop Series, an adult educational scholarship for professional and emerging artists, and the D2GB School Arts Program, which brings teaching artists to New York City schools year-round. The program integrates theater, dance, and music into the classroom to enhance achievement in math, science, literacy, languages, problem-solving, and critical thinking, among other areas.

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