Photo Flash: Benanti and Rudetsky Visit Summer Intensive

Gypsy's Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti delighted students as their special "surprise guest" during the Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Intensive (Session One)

Tony Winner and three-time Tony-nominated Laura Benanti lent her talent for a surprise Q&A with the students of Broadway Artists Alliance, led by musician, writer, and comedian Seth Rudetsky.  Benanti shared her thoughts and expert advice about the business to the 100 eager up-and-coming young artists ages 10 to 21.
 
Rudetsky had shared his talents earlier in the week, teaching a "Song Interpretation" class for the voice majors.

The Q&A session was part of  Broadway Artists Alliance's two week musical theatre intensive at Ripley Grier Studios, NYC.  Current Broadway artists visit, mentor, and instruct the group of young and talented performers during this two-week master class series.  Other instructors for the Broadway Artists Alliance Summer Program include Tyrick Jones, Lorin Latarro, Tony Mansker, Lisa Gajda, Holly-Anne Ruggiero, Bob Cline, Michelle Kittrell, Marilyn Caskey, Steven Lutvak, Lisa Stevens, Paul Griffin, Celeste Simone, Ross Stoner, Alex Gemignani, Donna Drake, Michelle Federer, Phil Hall, Allison Lane, Seth Rudetsky, Michael Balderrama,  Jason Snow, Jeff Shade, Brad Ross, Justin Boccitto, Bridget Berger, Brian Marcum, Katherine Tokarz, Paul Schaefer, and James Kinney as well as representatives from industry such as Telsey & Co., Binder Casting, and the Carson/Adler Agency.  Broadway Artists Alliance continues next week with their musical theatre summer intensive (Session Two).

Benanti joins Broadway Artists Alliance's roster of Tony-winning guest speakers, which have recently included impressive talent such as Sutton Foster, Beth Leavel, John Gallagher Jr., Lea Salonga,  John Lloyd Young, and Jason Robert Brown.  The students of Broadway Artists Alliance will meet another surprise Tony-winning guest on Friday, August 8.  Additional past guest instructors and speakers include Stephen Schwartz, Jonathan Groff, Megan McGinnis, Andrea Martin, Lea Michele, Ashley Brown, Skylar Astin, Alexandra Socha, Morgan Karr, Heather Parcells, and many more.

Due to popular demand, Broadway Artists Alliance has added a 3-day Workshop for August 15-17.  Limited space is still available, and interested young performers may apply by visiting: www.broadwayartistsalliance.org/application.
 
Broadway Artists Alliance will also continue with a new season of one-day master classes.  Upcoming master classes include Legally Blonde (August 14) and In the Heights (September 20).  A full list is available at www.broadwayartistsalliance.org/masterclasses.

Laura Benanti surprises the students of Broadway Artists Alliance

Seth Rudetsky interviews Laura Benanti

Laura Benanti at Broadway Artists Alliance

Laura Benanti at Broadway Artists Alliance

Seth Rudetsky interviews Laura Benanti

Laura Benanti answers questions from the students of Broadway Artists Alliance

Laura Benanti and Seth Rudetsky with the students of Broadway Artists Alliance

Ross Stoner (Associate Director), Jennifer Johns (Program/Artistic Director), Laura Benanti, Seth Rudetsky, and Michelle Lehrman (Admissions Director)

Photos by Laura McBride.