Photo Flash: Actors Connection Performing Arts Camp Returns With Cheech Manohar From MEAN GIRLS On Broadway And 12 Special Guests!

Broadway Star Cheech Manohar from "Mean Girls" the Musical made a guest appearance at Actors Connection's Performing Arts Camp yesterday with a meet and greet and autograph session - see photos below!

This week, New York City's most popular on-camera program for Kids & Teens returned to the historic Film Center. Ages 7-16 ready to break into the industry attend Actors Connection's Performing Arts Camp with 12 Casting Directors, Talent Agents and Broadway Stars in one jam-packed week.

Manohar spoke with the young performers about his journey during a camp Q&A, "I started when i was about your age. I went to a Saturday acting program. I went to a performing arts high school, then to college for musical theater...and now I'm doing this!"

Walid Chaya has directed the interactive program for the past five years, always with a diverse panel of special industry guests. Past kid & teen participants have landed representation or auditions and bookings for major NY/LA productions.

This week's camp line-up of special guests and instructors includes:

• Cheech Manohar, Broadway Star, Mean Girls the Musical
• Eve Battaglia, Oscar-Nominated Casting Director, Eve Battaglia Casting
• Denise Simon, Kids Acting Expert & Author of "Parenting in the Spotlight"
• Michelle Cutolo, Casting Director, Brette Goldstein Casting
• Liz Ortiz, Casting Director, Casting Solutions
• Barry Shapiro, Casting Director, Herman & Lipson Casting
• Gayle Seay, Casting Director, Wojcik/Seay Casting
• Michael Cassara, Casting Director, Michael Cassara Casting
• Jazelle Foster, Actor (ABC Primetime's "What Would You Do")
• Zuri Model & Talent Agency
• SW Artists Talent Agency
• Generation TV Talent Agency

Director Walid Chaya said, "It was especially exciting watching our young actors hear Cheech's story and think, 'I can do this too!' More than anything, we want to inspire our kids and provide them with the right connections and tools for an acting career in film, TV, theater and commercials."

Kids & Teens also film a scene for their demo reel with Mauricio Marces & Mike Cerisano, NY Filmmakers from Reproductions Video Services and receive a complimentary one-on-one session with Maria Wilson, NY Photographer, for a new headshot. Participants graduate the program prepared for casting and representation.

When Cheech Manohar was asked for advice on making it to Broadway, he said "You're not uncool just because you work hard. I feel like we've hit this point in society where it's really cool to act like your not trying hard...but the truth is, when you get to the Broadway level, everyone is working really hard all the time. So, if you're interested in doing this for a career, be proud of working hard and support your friends who are."

Actors Connection's group was all smiles! A second session of Performing Arts Camp will be offered August 13-17, 2018 in NYC with an updated line-up of special industry guests and a few spots are available. For those interested in an acting career in sunny Los Angeles, Actors Connection's camp heads west next week, July 25-29, 2018, for Performing Arts Camp in Studio City California with 14 LA industry professionals. During the school year, Actors Connection offers programs on weekend, plus free classes for kids and seminars for parents. To learn more about Actors Connection or register for an event, please visit actorsconnection.com/kids or call 212-776-4900.