Ben Vereen Accepts Co-Artistic Director Position With B'way Theatre Project

Tony Award winner Ben Vereen has been named CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR of the Tampa based Broadway Theater Project education program. Vereen's years of mentoring and teaching with the BTP have paved the way for this next step with the successful organization. Chair and Co-Founder, Deb McWaters, has been looking forward to advancing his role for years. Vereen began his relationship with the Broadway Theatre Project when Anne Reinking began the company in 1991. Since then, the BTP has been one of the most important causes in Vereen's life.

As Co- Artistic Director, Ben will continue to offer students the excellent training in musical theatre that is expected by the theatrical community. Along with Debra, they will use their collective vision to steer the school in a new artistic direction while endeavoring to create young performers who will possess strong and, healthy minds while honing their artistic skills.

Playbill refers to Broadway Theatre Project as, "the world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students." The mission of this intensive three week training program is to further develop the key disciplines of musical theatre, including acting, voice, and dance, as well as the critical life skills necessary to prepare students to work in the world of professional entertainment. Emphasis is not only placed on the individual art forms but also on the collaborative process and the collective creation of art.
A Tony Award winner for his renowned performance in Bob Fosse's Pippin, Ben has gone on to solidify his place among Broadway royalty, with starring roles in such Broadway productions as Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Jelly's Last Jam, Grind, A Christmas Carol and I'm Not Rappaport. Ben continues to tour around the world with his one man concert, Steppin' Out With Ben Vereen, which plays to sold out audiences everywhere he goes. Recent guest starring roles include Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, House of Payne and An Accidental Friendship (a Hallmark feature film). Ben Starred in the new play Fetch Clay, Make Man at the McCarter Theatre, directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys) and has a recurring role on the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.

Along with performing his one man concert show throughout the United States, Ben is also a spokesperson for Sanofi US, a leading pharmaceutical company, and together, they created a campaign called: S.T.A.N.D. (Start Taking Action Now) for diabetes, campaign which promotes a healthy and active lifestyle while living with diabetes. You can view the website here: http://www.standfordiabetes.org/. Ben is also a motivational speaker.

Vereen is thoroughly excited to be named Co-Artistic Director of the Broadway Theatre Project. He writes, "This is a new day for BTP. Our plan is to take it to new heights where it truly belongs and continue to develop the arts for dedicated students in America. I am proud to be a part of this. Thank you, Deb and the board of Broadway Theatre Project, for the opportunity."

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff

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