Photo Flash: Jason Robert Brown Teaches BAA Master Class

Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years, 13) returned to Broadway Artists Alliance last week to lead a master class, working with talented young people from across the country (ages 10-21).  These young performers had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Brown in this musical theatre audition technique class.  Brown also performed for the eager group.  In addition to a brief Q&A session, Seth Rudetsky led a Chatterbox-style interview with Jason Robert Brown.

The master class was part of Broadway Artists Alliance's annual Winter Musical Theatre Intensive at Ripley Grier Studios, NYC.  Current Broadway artists visit, mentor, and instruct the group of young and talented performers during this three-day master class series.  Instructors for the 2008 Winter Intensive included Heather Parcells (A Chorus Line), Tyrick Jones (Hairspray), Steven Lutvak (Kind Hearts and Coronets), Celeste Simone (vocal coach), Allison Lane (Liars and Lunatics), Donna Drake (original A Chorus Line), Lisa Gajda (Spamalot, Cry-Baby), Ben Hartley (The Little Mermaid), Holly Ann Ruggiero (Jersey Boys), Nancy Carson (Carson/Adler Agency), and Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown.  The weekend culminated with an industry showcase.  Students had the unique opportunity to receive direct feedback from a panel that included Binder Casting, Telsey & Co., Jim Carnahan Casting, Mark Simon Casting, Dave Clemmons Casting, Nani-Saperstein Management, the Carson/Adler Agency, Station Three Entertainment, and Sinclair Management.  Seth Rudetsky brilliantly entertained, as well as hosted the final showcase and industry panel portion of the afternoon.

The young students of Broadway Artists Alliance go through an extensive application and audition process before they are accepted into this selective program.  Upcoming Broadway Artists Alliance One-Day Master Classes feature special guest instructors from Broadway's Young Frankenstein, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, High School Musical, and Spring Awakening.  Broadway Artists Alliance also hosts a 2-week Summer Musical Theatre Intensive in New York City.

Previous guest speakers and one-day master class instructors for Broadway Artists Alliance include Jonathan Groff, Sutton Foster, Lea Salonga, Beth Leavel, John Lloyd Young, John Gallagher Jr., Ashley Brown, Megan McGinnis, Michelle Federer, Lea Michele, and Stephen Schwartz. For applications, national audition information, and more information about Broadway Artists Alliance, please visit www.broadwayartistsalliance.org.

Photos by Laura McBride