Lena Hall, Taye Diggs, Tituss Burgess & More Set for BDF's Generation: The 2015 Summer Intensive Tour

The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) will give aspiring performers across the country their "big break" when the program embarks on Generation: The 2015 Summer Intensive Tour. The national non-profit 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.

BDF will visit eight U.S. cities this summer before bringing its unique program to Canada for the first time. Generation will kick off at RISPA Performing Arts in Atlanta, GA on May 26, 2015; followed by Midtown Arts Collaborative in Omaha, NE; RWS & Associates in New York, NY; Le Conte School and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, CA; Dance Tech Studios in Park City, UT; Theatre Aspen in Aspen, CO; Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA; and Sheridan College in Toronto, Ontario.

Directors Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Carrie), Tony Award-nominee Dan Knechtges (Spelling Bee, Xanadu), Matt Lenz (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can), Alan Souza (Drury Lane's Camelot), and Otis Sallid (Smokey Joe's Cafe?, Black Nativity), along with Emmy Award-nominated choreographer Spencer Liff ("So You Think You Can Dance," Hedwig), will lead the creative team which also includes, BDF Artistic Supervisor Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan), Director of Creative and Educational Programming Craig D'Amico (Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun), and Executive Director Annette Tanner. 2015 teaching artists will include Tony Award-winner Lena Hall (Hedwig, Kinky Boots), Taye Diggs ("Private Practice," Rent), Tituss Burgess ("Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," The Little Mermaid), Lindsay Mendez (Wicked, Dogfight), Nick Adams (Wicked), Tony Vincent ("The Voice," American Idiot), musical theatre / pop composer Joey Contreras, Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime), Gregory Haney (Bring It On The Musical, Wicked), Matthew Scott (Jersey Boys), Kirsten Scott (Big Fish), Sara Jean Ford (Phantom), Kyle Brown (Wicked), Jenny Parsinen (Allegiance), Dave Barrus (Les Miserables), Tim Acito (Zanna Don't!), acclaimed musical theatre writers Drew Fornarola and Marshall Pailet (Shrek the Halls), Jeremy Schonfeld (Drift), and Ryann Redmond (If/Then, Bring It On The Musical). Additional Broadway faculty will be announced soon.

"There are many performing arts programs to choose from," says BDF Executive Director Annette Tanner. "However, at BDF we go above and beyond to ensure that each student gets the training and connections they need to succeed in a very competitive industry. When you enroll in a BDF program, you're paying for a week, but I guarantee that you'll get a life-time of support."

Contact: Ryan Ratelle / ryan@rrrpr.com / 860-778-3494

BDF Atlanta alum, Ryann Redmond (If/Then, Bring It On The Musical) said this of her experience, "Several years ago I was asked to perform at the BDF NYC benefit and Bernie Telsey was in the audience. The next day he asked me to read for Bridget in Bring It On: The Musical and before I knew it I was making my Broadway debut. I just finished a run in If/Then, my second Broadway show, and I know I wouldn't have made my Broadway debut so soon without the guidance, support, and opportunity BDF afforded me."

During each intensive, attendees will 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 will 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 and Rachel Hoffman from Telsey + Company, Jamie Harris from Clear Talent Group, and Mark Redanty from BRS Talent Agency, all of whom will offer valuable feedback.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation takes great pride in guiding students through their professional journey as young artists, giving them the tools, support and industry connections they need to succeed. In the past several years, over 30 BDF students have landed roles in Broadway, national touring and regional productions, including Beautiful The Carole King Musical (Aisha Jackson and Noah Rickets), The Book of Mormon (Paris Nesbitt), Violet (Emerson Steele), If/Then (Ryann Redmond), Holler If Ya Hear Me (Ariana Groover), Annie (Gabby Bradbury), Evita (Katie Huff), The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Lindsay Roberts), Motown the Musical (Rodney Earl Jackson, Galen Williams, Melanie Evans), Barry Manilow's Harmony (Greg Kamp), and more.

The Philadelphia intensive at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts will include master classes devoted to mastering the college audition process led by Mary Anna Dennard, top college audition coach and author of "I Got In!" Joining Dennard will be representatives from top musical theatre schools including, Victoria Bussert (Baldwin Wallace University), Kaitlin Hopkins (Texas State University), Grant Kretchik (Pace University, Dyson College), Robin Lewis (Rider University), Barbara MacKenzie-Wood (Carnegie Mellon University), Mark Madama (University of Michigan), and Amy Rogers (Pace University).

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. The Broadway Dreams Foundation provides a life changing experience. In 2014, 43% of all BDF students participated on full or partial scholarship. Financial need based scholarships are available in all cities. To apply, please visit: http://mybroadwaydreams.com/scholarships

GENERATION SUMMER INTENSIVE TOUR

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

May 26 - May 30, 2015
RISPA Studios
Directed by Otis Sallid and Stafford Arima Tuition Cost: $795
Auditions: Friday, April 24, 2015 at 6 pm Tanner Photography

OMAHA, NEBRASKA

June 1 - June 6, 2015 Midtown Arts Collaborative Directed by Otis Sallid Tuition Cost: $795

NEW YORK, NY

June 8 - June 14, 2015
RWS & Associates
Directed by Matt Lenz
Tuition Cost: $1,095
Auditions: Saturday, May 2, 2015

LOS ANGELES, CA

June 21 - June 28, 2015
Le Conte School
Directed by Stafford Arima Tuition Cost: $895

PARK CITY, UT

June 29 - July 3, 2015
Dance Tech Studios
Directed by Matt Lenz and Alan Souza Tuition Cost: $695

ASPEN, CO

July 6 - July 12, 2015 Theatre Aspen
Directed by Dan Knechtges Tuition Cost: $695

PHILADELPHIA, PA

August 2 - August 9, 2015
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Directed by Dan Knechtges
Tuition Cost: $995
Auditions: Friday, May 1, 2015 at 4 pm

TORONTO, ONTARIO

August 16 - August 22, 2015 Sheridan College
Directed by Dan Knechtges Tuition Cost: $715

Audition: Sunday, April 26, 2015 from 2 - 4:00 pm