Andrew Kober, Stephen Agosto et al. Host Pop Theatre NYC Musical Theatre Workshop

Pop Theatre has announced a new series of audition and performance workshops. Its inaugural six-week workshop, running Monday nights beginning tonight, April 16, through May 21, will cover contemporary pop musical theater technique and repertoire. It will be lead by Broadway performer Andrew Kober (pictured), director Stephen Agosto, and composer/lyricist Drew Gasparini.

Two thirds of the musicals currently running on Broadway fall into the pop/rock genre. However, arriving in New York, most actors show up with a rep book full of standards and “safe” choices. To audition for musicals like Rock of Ages, Memphis, or Wicked, it’s vital to be able to think outside the box. “Bad Romance” could be a fantastic audition piece for Sister Act, or “Moves Like Jagger” for Book of Mormon.

However, you can’t approach “Rolling in the Deep” like it’s “If I Loved You.” Both require a very different preparation and presentation to be effective in an audition. Over the course of the workshop, you will gain a better understanding of pop musical theater, and how to re-interpret a pop song for an audition setting. In addition to fine-tuning songs that you’re familiar with, you’ll leave the workshop with new audition material that you may never have considered. You’ll also learn which pop songs should, under any circumstance, be avoided (if you can’t sing like Mariah, don’t sing Mariah...).

The six-week workshop will culminate with a showcase performance for Broadway actors, writers, and casting directors. This invaluable opportunity will be the perfect bridge from the classroom to the audition room.

The class will run Monday evenings from April 16th - May 21st. Registration will be extremely limited so that each student gets plenty of individual attention. The fee for the six-week workshop is $350. For questions, information, or registration, email PopTheatreNYC@gmail.com.

Andrew Kober holds a BFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University. Previous credits include the original Shakespeare in the Park, Broadway, and West End revival casts of Hair (2009 Tony Award for Best Revival), the First National Tour ofThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Crazy Just LIke Me,and Most Likely to Die (NYMF). as well as many readings, workshops, and concerts around New York City. He has performed his solo show, Koberet, to sold-out crowds at Joe’s Pub, (le) Poisson Rouge, and Feinstein’s. Andrew has also been seen on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" and ABC's "Pan Am", as well as the upcoming short film, Chin Up. You can hear him on the Original Revival Cast Recording of Hair, and Bobby Cronin's debut album, "Reach the Sky". Follow him on Twitter @andrewkober.

Stephen Agosto is a graduate of DePaul University (Acting, BFA) and an alumnus of The Neighborhood Playhouse, home of the Meisner Technique. In addition to his life as a performer in New York City, Stephen has spent much of the last five years behind the table as both director and founder of The Crosshatch Theatre Company. He is the award winning director of Crazy, Just Like Me (Off-Broadway, May 2013) and has directed shows at Ars Nova, Joe’s Pub, and Theatre Row and various theaters around the country. Stephen holds teaching artist positions at Paper Mill Playhouse and Fordham University and speaks at universities nationally on Acting Technique for the Musical Theatre Performer.

Drew Gasparini is an award-winning composer/lyricist, and singer/songwriter. He is the recipient of the John Lennon Songwriting Award and is an alum of the BMI Lehman/Engel musical theatre fellowship for composer/lyricists. As a singer/songwriter he has shared the stage with Jason Mraz, Third Eye Blind, and the Plain White T's. As a composer/lyricist he has written the book music and lyrics to Crazy, Just Like Me (“Best of Fest” - NYMF 2011, Coming to New York in May 2013), Circles, Innappropriate Stories Told At A Bar and Make Me Bad. Drew graduated from The Musicians Institute with a degree in vocal technique, and speaks about “acting the song” at universities around the country.

Photo Credit: Kevin Thomas Garcia