2013 Broadway Performance Project Set for the Laurie Beechman Tonight

The Group Theatre Too, along with choreographer, Justin Boccitto and director, Kimberly Vaughn presents the 2013 Broadway Performance Project (BPP), an evening of young, aspiring Broadway bound talent performing tonight, June 11th and Thursday, June 13th, 7:00pm at cabaret hub, The Laurie Beechman Theater.

BPP selected twelve participants from among those who auditioned, including: Caitlin Catanella, Melissa Coffey, Isaac Dayley, Kristin Feeney, Anelena Frollini, Billy Hannon, Erica Kimble, Amelia Rose Ortman, Kelly Reader, Daniel Schultz, Alan Simon and Micki Weiner. In preparation for their Beechman performances these artists will have coached with Justin and Kimberly, along with musical director Andrea Grody, and workshopped their songs in an "in studio" performance class with a panel of industry professionals who include talent manager Naomi Kolstein and casting director Dale Brown. The project also had a successful benefit show last December where they unveiled "The Nicole Fosse Scholarship" and saw performances from Richard Kline, Phillip Boykin, Anita Gillette, Kurt Peterson, Wayne Alan Wilcox, Colleen Zenk, Kevin Spirtas, Raissa Katona Bennett and Sheri Sanders.

Kimberly Vaughn, who brought the original concept of BPP to Group Theatre Too back in January 2012, has an extensive background in performance coaching and theatre. She directed Edward J. Moore's Drama Desk Award winning play The Sea Horse at The New Theatre of Harvard Square in Cambridge, (Conchatta Ferrell won the Obie), and has also directed at The Helen Hayes Theatre in Nyack, Queens Theatre in the Park, Phoenix Little Theatre and Circle in the Square. Over the course of her career as producer (Tony Award nominated), director, performer, writer. Kimberly has worked with such artists as Denis O'Hare, Theodore Mann, Shirley Booth, Pete Masterson and Austin Pendleton, to name a few. She's appeared on Broadway in the musical "Dear Oscar". Kimberly was the dramaturge and creative consultant for Candice Guardino's one- woman show S.O.S. now performing off-Broadway under the moniker Italian Bred. Kimberly is co-writer of LORD TOM, a new American musical starring Phillip Boykin. Group Theatre Too Executive Producer, Justin Boccitto, says: "These performers are extremely fortunate to work with Kimberly. She evokes a greater depth in her student's singing interpretation and character development which humanizes their delivery, insuring authentic, memorable storytelling. through translating and personalizing their text. The Broadway Performance Project believes in arming our participants with the tools that will help them succeed including performance classes with high caliber industry professionals."

The Broadway Performance Project runs tonight, June 11th and Thursday, June 13th, 7:00pm at the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 W. 42nd Street, NY, NY 10036. Tickets are $15 plus a $15 food/drink minimum. Tickets can be purchased by calling 212-695-6909. BPP is sponsored by Studios 353, Sheri Sanders, Rock the Audition, Tom Burke Voice Studio and Paul Michael's The Network. Visit www.broadwayperformanceproject.com for more information. The 2013 Broadway Performance Project is part of The Group Theatre Too's Ten Year Anniversary Season.