Wildhorn, Brown, Etc. Set for FL Musical Theatre Program

The Broadway Theatre Project has announced its comprehensive Summer Musical Theatre Arts Education Program, which will take place July 8-29, 2007 at the University of Southern Florida.

Two hundred students from 28 states, Canada and England will attend intensive curriculum to properly prepare for a professional career in musical theatre arts entertainment.

Musical workshops will include: Moving Story by Christopher D'Amboise.  The Moving Story Workshop is "a contemporary method of theatrical storytelling which combines music, song, text and dance.  Cinematic in style, it uses both dancers and non-dancers to create dramatic choreographic theatre.  Apprentices will work with D'Amboise to develop a section from a new musical and perform an informal presentation," state press notes."

Also, Alice in Wonderland will be workshopped.  A new musical by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde), the show is a new version of the classic story.  "BTP apprentices will work with Wildhorn as well as Debra McWaters on creating the well-known characters in innovative and modern ways.  Brandi Burkhardt, who is slated to play the role of Alice when the show goes to Broadway, will also play the role in the workshop.  Pieces created during the workshop will be presented in the final Broadway Theatre Project performance at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center."

Among those also involved in the program will be Ashley Brown, Jay Binder, Charlotte D'Amboise, Christopher D'Amboise, Pierre Dulaine, Gary Kline, Joan Lader, Terrence Mann, Yvonne Marceau, Katherine McPhee, Austin Pendleton, Ben Vereen and Wildhorn.

2007 Faculty Panels will include: Audition Techniques - Getting Started in the Professional World, Life on the Road and College Selection. 

There will be special projects and features, including a vocal ensemble performance directed by Dave Clemmons.  25 advanced vocalists will be chosen to perform in a show featuring the music of great harmony groups.  This project is conducted in order to help students focus on voice study to increase their stylistic range as vocalists.

BTP presents: July 28 - 3pm and 6pm: Musicals: The Old and the New. The July 2007 session culminates in a performance that showcases the
talents of the BTP apprentices and consists of original works created by the BTP faculty and the apprentices themselves. This year's performance will be held July 28th at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. in Ferguson Hall at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and will feature contrasting musical numbers from the beginning days of Broadway to current hits.  Never-before-seen original pieces composed by Frank Wildhorn are also slated to be performed.  Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the TBPAC box office, 813-229-7827, or through Ticketmaster.

BTP founder, Debra McWaters, has authored the first book ever about the art and technique of the Fosse dance style, visually recounting her times, memories and learnings from Gwen Verdon, Ben Vereen and Ann Reinking among others.  The orward was contributed by Ben Vereen and photographs taken by Don Jones and Tom Porter.  It will be published in the fall by the University Press of Florida.  More details will follow. 

Founded in 1991, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP) is the world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students. Under the Artistic Direction of Debra McWaters, the non-profit BTP is an intensive three-week training program focused on the key disciplines of musical theatre including acting, dancing, and singing, as well as the critical life skills necessary to work in the professional world of entertainment.

For more details about the upcoming summer program,  please contact Samantha Taylor at (212) 979 6092 or e-mail sam@staylorassoc.com.

Photo of Ashley Brown by Linda Lenzi