Taye Diggs, Spencer Liff & More to Work with LA Students Through Broadway Dreams Foundation

Los Angeles-area students will have the opportunity to work with an incredible roster of Broadway professionals, including star of stage and screen Taye Diggs ("Private Practice," Rent, upcoming: Hedwig and the Angry Inch), choreographer Spencer Liff (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, "So You Think You Can Dance"), Olivier Award-nominated director Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Carrie), Nick Adams (La Cage aux Folles), Kyle Brown (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Broadway Dreams Education Director, Craig D'Amico (Annie Get Your Gun), Jenny Parsinen (Allegiance), Telsey + Company casting director Rachel Hoffman, Broadway musician, Craig Johnson (Something Rotten), Iggy Azalea's choreographer Victor M. Jackson, III, Nicole Parker ("MadTV," Wicked), Broadway Dreams Alum Ari Groover (Holler If Ya Hear Me) and more through The Broadway Dreams Foundation. Additional faculty to be announced.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) gives aspiring Los Angeles-area performers a chance to make their "big break" when the program presents Generation: The 2015 Summer Intensive Tour. The national non-profit training program, making a stop in Los Angeles for the third consecutive year, presents an impressive array of Broadway directors, performers, and industry insiders who will offer highly personalized musical theatre training and mentoring through unique, week-long performing arts intensive workshops for students of all ages, skill levels, and socio-economic backgrounds. So far this summer, 8 of the BDF participants have gotten cast as a direct result of the program. These include a TV commercial spot, the international tour of Beauty and the Beast, and a workshop of the new musical From Here to Eternity. Additionally, 6 students have gained agent representation.

The Los Angeles program will take place Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (9390 N Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA) with a final concert performance on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-angeles-summer-celebration-tickets-17186532381 . Tuition for the program is $895 and students may register online, here: http://www.mybroadwaydreams.com.

The impressive list of faculty includes Taye Diggs and Spencer Liff, who will be heading to New York City after the intensive to work together on Hedwig and the Angry Inch - Diggs will be taking over the title role on July 22. Spencer Liff's work was recently seen at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, where he choreographed Deaf West Theatre's Spring Awakening, a production which is performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and spoken English. The Los Angeles Times called the production a "Critic's Choice...a contemporary American musical superbly done...a rousing success!" "There are many performing arts programs to choose from," says BDF Executive Director Annette Tanner. "However, at BDF we go above and beyond to ensure that each student gets the training and connections they need to succeed in a very competitive industry. When you enroll in a BDF program, you're paying for a week, but I guarantee that you'll get a life-time of support."

During each intensive, attendees will receive first-rate training in acting, dance and vocal technique before performing alongside their Broadway idols in a dynamic concert directed by one of the industry's finest directors. Students will also learn how to improve their audition skills and have the opportunity to audition and perform for top NYC casting directors and agents, who will offer valuable feedback.

BDF will visit seven other U.S. cities this summer before bringing its unique program to Canada for the first time. Generation kicked off at RISPA Performing Arts in Atlanta, GA on May 26, 2015 and has had stops at Midtown Arts Collaborative in Omaha, NE and RWS & Associates in New York, NY. After Los Angeles, they will head to Dance Tech Studios in Park City, UT; Theatre Aspen in Aspen, CO; Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA; and Sheridan College in Toronto, Ontario. The Broadway Dreams Foundation takes great pride in guiding students through their professional journey as young artists, giving them the tools, support and industry connections they need to succeed. In the past several years, over 60 BDF students have landed roles in Broadway, national touring and regional productions, including Beautiful The Carole King Musical (Aisha Jackson and Noah Ricketts), The Book of Mormon (Paris Nesbitt), Violet (Emerson Steele), If/Then (Ryann Redmond), Holler If Ya Hear Me (Ariana Groover), Annie (Gaby Bradbury), Evita (Katie Huff), The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Lindsay Roberts), Motown the Musical (Rodney Earl Jackson, Galen Williams, Melanie Evans), Barry Manilow's Harmony (Greg Kamp), and more.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation is a premier, national performing arts education program dedicated to ongoing engagement, inspiration, and access regardless of a student's ability to pay. With a faculty of Broadway stars, directors and agents committed to giving back to the theatrical community, BDF provides invaluable training to anyone who aspires for a career in the performing arts. The unique program offers students highly personalized and supportive mentorship, an exciting, and collaborative learning environment and ongoing networking to build confidence and life skills. The Broadway Dreams Foundation provides a life changing experience. In 2014, 43% of all BDF students participated on full or partial scholarship.

Photo by Walter McBride

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