The Franklin School for the Performing Arts Hosts Musical Theater Audition Intensive

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) is pleased to announce the school's annual summer Musical Theater Audition Intensive, to be offered in collaboration with Broadway Artists Alliance (BAA) of New York City, August 23-26 from 1-4pm. This weeklong intensive program is designed for students serious about musical theater and those hoping to pursue musical theater at the college or conservatory level. "The college audition process can be overwhelming and intimidating," comments FSPA Director Raye Lynn Mercer. "A well prepared, polished audition sets a student apart from the rest in the application process. Musical Theater programs throughout the country are highly competitive. The right audition material and rehearsal of the audition performance are imperative for an applicant's success."

The FSPA Summer Intensive provides an opportunity for aspiring musical theater students to become fully prepared for the audition process through master classes in which songs and monologues are selected and coached, and audition techniques are practiced. The Intensive Workshop will be taught by FSPA staff including Nick Paone and FSPA vocal director, Hallie Wetzell in collaboration with Jennifer Johns and TyRick Jones from the Broadway Artists Alliance of New York City. Johns is founder and director of BAA and has Broadway and national tour credits as a performer, dance captain, company manager and children's musical director. Her association with FSPA began when she selected and prepared the FSPA Children's ensembles for the Boston runs of the national tours of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2000 and Evita in 2006. Jones' Broadway and national tour credits include Hairspray, Finian's Rainbow, Fosse, Showboat and Seussical.
During the intensive program, students will prepare appropriate ballad and up-tempo songs, and a monologue. They will gain an understanding of proper audition attire and presentation, and will be assisted in assembling an audition notebook well marked for their accompanist. "It is extremely helpful for a student to go through the audition process and then get constructive criticism with which to improve" adds Mercer. "At a real audition the feedback rarely happens."

The Broadway Artists Alliance will also collaborate with FSPA on a Triple Threat Master Class for ages nine to nineteen on Friday, August 27 from 10am - 4pm.

Further information about the FSPA Musical Theater Audition Intensive is available by contacting the Franklin School for the Performing Arts at 38 Main Street (508)-528-6868 or by visiting the website at www.fspaonline.com.