Musical Director to the Stars- Todd Schroeder Highlights Importance of Today's Musical Theatre

Musical director, producer, composer and performer Todd Schroeder will be a featured workshop teacher at Camp Bravo's upcoming Drama Teachers Retreat, which begins today May 22 and lasts through May 25. The Drama Teachers Retreat will take place at Camp Bravo, a performing arts camp located at the de Beneville Pines Camp facility in the San Bernardino National Forest, roughly two hours from Los Angeles.

At the four-day educational retreat, Schroeder will be teaching "Creating Musical Theatre For a New Generation," a workshop that will draw upon Schroeder's 20-plus years of experience as one of the industry's most notable celebrity musical directors.

Throughout the course, Schroeder will impart the value of specific audition and rehearsal techniques for creating a more contemporary sound essential to today's new musicals, some of which in recent years have included shows such as Wicked, Kinky Boots, If/Then, Finding Neverland, Hamilton, and An American In Paris.

Schroeder says, "I have realized in working with different teachers at academic institutions across the country that many of them have not fully immersed themselves in today's musical theater. I love having the opportunity to share with them some techniques to not only better understand the nuances of new shows and styles, but ways to help engage the students' interests and focus their talents."BroadwayWorld's acclaimed "Musical Director of the Year" Schroeder is no stranger to teaching audition technique in group settings. He regularly teaches a highly successful Masterclass entitled, "Auditioning for Today's Musical Theatre," covering all of the elements needed to work in modern musical theatre from selecting an appropriate audition piece to audition etiquette."

"One of the things I like most about teaching other educators is the 'ripple effect.' When you throw a stone into the water, you never know the shores that those ripples will reach," Schroeder adds.In addition to Schroeder's own course module, Camp Bravo has scheduled at least three others, which include: "Opening Up the Play," taught by the LA Center Theatre Group's resident teaching artist, Debra Piver; "Accessing Common Core," with Common Core Professional Development Specialist Bri Zika; and a lab, "Tectonic Theatre Company," in which participants actively engage with the non-textual elements of the stage, exploring lights, sounds, costumes, movement, character and architecture, to discover their full theatrical potential and inherent poetry.

Schroeder has been actively involved with the performing arts camp in recent years, acting as musical director for Camp Bravo's annual "Back to Bravo" celebrity fundraiser benefit. The camp provides young people of diverse backgrounds who are interested in the performing arts, ages 10-18, with a beautiful forestal setting and non-competitive environment in which to immerse themselves in the thrill of performing.

"I really believe in what Camp Bravo is focused on," Schroeder says. "Whether it's for the young performers or the educators, this safe and confidence-building environment provides a foundation for success, both professionally and personally."For more information or to join Camp Bravo's Drama Teachers Retreat, visit www.campbravo.org, or call 1-888-44-BRAVO. The fee is $375, which includes all lodging, meals, workshops, activities and materials. For more information on Todd Schroeder, visit Todd Schroeder's official website at www.toddschroeder.net.

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