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New School Taking Applications for Music Theater Program

By: Jan. 26, 2007
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On the heels of its successful opening run, The New School for Drama has announced that applications are now being accepted for its Summer Music Theater Immersion Experience.

"Over three intensive weeks, the school brings together more Tony award-winning talent than can be found on any one stage, to give a select group of aspiring music theater artists the inside track from leading stars, choreographers, and casting agents. The program, which runs June 11–27, is open to undergraduate and graduate students (undergraduates may receive college credit), as well as professionals looking for more specialized training," state press notes. 

"In its first year, the Summer Music Theater Immersion Experience was a resounding success—it was intense; it was exhilarating and, for many of the students, transformative," said Robert LuPone, director of The New School for Drama. "We're calling the program a boot camp for Broadway—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring music theater artists to receive personalized training by some of the best talent in the business."

"The program aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of the skills and techniques they will need to have successful careers in music theater. The intensive program includes a challenging array of activities that engage students day and night, including instruction in speech, voice, acting, and dance. The school has assembled a faculty of distinguished industry professionals under the direction of New School Drama faculty member Keith Buhl and Music Theater Group producer Diane Wondisford. The movement and dance classes, for example, are run by members of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and take place in the company's studios."

Master classes in voice, acting, and dance are taught by Broadway greats, which last year included Tony Award/Drama Desk Award/Outer Critics Circle Award-winners Michael Cerveris (Sweeney Todd), Wayne Cilento (choreographer, The Who's Tommy, Sweet Charity, Wicked), Don Greene (specialist in performance anxiety), Bill Irwin (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), Judy Kuhn (Les Misérables, Chess), Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line original cast), Denis O'Hare (Take Me Out, Sweet Charity), Michelle Pawk (Mamma Mia!, Cabaret), Christopher Sieber (Spamalot, Chicago), and Bernard Telsey (casting director, The Color Purple, Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; co-artistic director, MCC Theater).

"Students also have the opportunity to see Broadway shows and speak to the casts and crews afterward—giving them the rare chance to learn and interact with successful theater actors, dancers, singers, and stage managers. Last summer's musicals included Sweeney Todd and The Light in the Piazza. In addition, participants receive two individual voice lessons and two individual vocal coaching sessions. The program culminates in a showcase in which students demonstrate what they have learned. With small classes, participants receive copious feedback and access the full range of their imaginative and creative powers."

For more information about the Summer Music Theater Immersion Experience, including how to register
for the program, please email dramasummer@newschool.edu, call 212.229.5859 x2628, or visit www.drama.newschool.edu.

Photo - Robert LuPone







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