This August, from the 18th through the 21st, the Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) hosted its Summer Performing Arts Intensive in Philadelphia! During the intensive, attendees received first-rate training in acting, dance and vocal performance daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by savvy Broadway veterans who shared their invaluable insider knowledge on the skills needed to make it in show business.
Students also learned how to improve their audition skills (song selections and cold readings) and attended classes geared toward college and career planning (headshots and resumes). At week's end, all participants had the opportunity to perform alongside their Broadway idols in a "one night only" concert event. Tony-winner Alice Ripley (Next To Normal) participated as the guest teacher for the intensive.
BDF has brought its unique program to Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, and San Diego, among others. In 2010, BDF will travel to more than one dozen cities. Former BDF faculty include Tony Award winners Alice Ripley (Next to Normal) and Jarrod Emick (Damn Yankees), Tony Award nominees Jodi Benson (Crazy for You), Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde), Gavin Creel (Hair) and Broadway favorites Nick Adams (A Chorus Line), BDF Artistic Director Paul Canaan (Legally Blonde), BDF alum Blake Daniels (Spring Awakening), Eden Espinosa (Wicked), Billy Porter (Miss Saigon), Nikki Snelson (Legally Blonde), as well as television personalities Diana DeGarmo ("American Idol"), Mark Indelicato ("Ugly Betty") and Nicholas Rodriguez ("One Life to Live").
Over one thousand students have participated in the BDF program and some have gone on to perform in regional, national and Broadway productions including Disney's The Lion King and Spring Awakening, pursue careers in the arts or attend prestigious theatre programs in universities throughout the United States.
For more information, please visit www.mybroadwaydreams.com.
Photo credit: Vii Tanner
Tyler Hanes and BDF students
BDF Students
Carlos Encinias and BDF Students
BDF Students
James Kinney, Samantha Pollino & Tyler Hanes, Nicholas Rodriguez, Alice Ripley & BDF Students
Alice Ripley, Nicholas Rodriguez and students
Ginna Le Vine & Nicholas Rodriguez
Tituss Burgess and Nicholas Rodriguez with BDF Students
BDF Students
Chelsea Pedano, Tituss Burgess and Ginna Le Vine
Titus Burgess and Students
Alice Ripley Joins in for Aquarius
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