Thursday, July 30, 2009

Broadway Theatre Project in the News!

playbill.com
broadwayworld.com
tbo.com
foxnews.com
10connects.com
studio10.tv
wtsp.com

Check out the above articles and broadcasts about what has been going on at the Broadway Theatre Project this summer!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Vote for Broadway Theatre Project Alum Evan Kasprzak tonight on "So You Think You Can Dance!"

Vote for BTP alum Evan tonight on So You Think You Can Dance by calling 888-TEMPO-06 and check out BTP alum and faculty member Ryan's Broadway Theatre Project brother blog video by clicking here on youtube.com.

GO EVAN!!!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Update: Broadway Theatre Project Performances July 30-August 1 in Theatre 1 at USF

185 apprentices from 28 states, as well as Canada and American Samoa, will be performing in the Broadway Theatre Project Festival from July 30-August 1. Numbers in the four festival performances have been directed and choreographed by members of the BTP faculty including Artistic Director Debra McWaters, So You Think You Can Dance’s Ryan Kasprzak, Radio City Rockette Kelly King, and Broadway Fight Director Ron Piretti (West Side Story, In the Heights), among others. Performances also include world premieres of workshops by Broadway Music Director David Loud and Broadway Composer Frank Wildhorn.

Frank Wildhorn’s number is from the upcoming show Bonnie & Clyde, which heads to La Jolla Playhouse in California and will then make its way to Broadway. Wildhorn also wrote the musical Wonderland, which had its world premiere workshop during the 2007 session of Broadway Theatre Project. Numbers were choreographed and directed by BTP Artistic Director Debra McWaters and presented in the final Broadway Theatre Project performance. Producer Judith Lisi from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center acquired the show after seeing the BTP workshop production of Wonderland. David Loud’s numbers are from an upcoming concert of Kander and Ebb music called First You Dream that is heading to the Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C. this September.

Festival tickets are available at the University of South Florida Box Office from 12-4pm daily by calling 813-974-2323 or by visiting ticketmaster.com (searching for “BTP”) and can be purchased for individual performances.

The first ticketed show is at 4pm on Friday and is titled Music to My Ears. This is a specialty voice performance featuring some BTP faculty as well as select BTP apprentices. Tickets for this show are $10.

Friday and Saturday nights, all of the apprentices will appear in the show called It’s Showtime, Folks. Tickets are $35 for each night and the evenings both begin at 7:30pm.

The first ticketed show on Saturday is at 4pm and is titled Everything But the Kitchen Sink. This is a specialty voice performance featuring some BTP faculty as well as select BTP apprentices. Tickets for this show are $10.

Monday, July 20, 2009

New Details on the Broadway Theatre Project Festival July 31-August 1, 2009

The 2009 session of Broadway Theatre Project culminates in an exciting new festival taking place in Theatre 1 at USF from July 30th to August 1st. Numbers in the four festival performances have been directed and choreographed by members of the BTP faculty including Artistic Director Debra McWaters, So You Think You Can Dance’s Ryan Kasprzak, Radio City Rockette Kelly King, and Broadway Fight Director Ron Piretti (West Side Story, In the Heights). Performances also include premieres of workshops by Broadway Music Director David Loud and Broadway Composer Frank Wildhorn.

Frank Wildhorn’s number is from the upcoming show Bonnie & Clyde, which heads to La Jolla Playhouse in California and will then make its way to Broadway. Wildhorn also wrote the musical Wonderland, which had its world premiere workshop during the 2007 session of Broadway Theatre Project. Numbers were choreographed and directed by BTP Artistic Director Debra McWaters and presented in the final Broadway Theatre Project performance. Producer Judith Lisi from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center acquired the show after seeing the BTP workshop production of Wonderland. David Loud’s numbers are from an upcoming concert of Kander and Ebb music called First You Dream that is heading to the Signature Theatre in Washington, DC this September.

The Festival will also feature seminars designed to help young artists and their families navigate the business side of a career in the arts. Producer and former President of the League of American Theatres and Producers Jed Bernstein, Broadway casting director Dave Clemmons and Peak Performance coach Dr. Denise Federer will lead the seminars.

Festival tickets are available at the University of South Florida Box Office as of July 27 from 12-4pm by calling 813-974-2323 or by visiting ticketmaster.com (searching for “BTP”) and can be purchased for individual performances or for the entire festival.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Broadway Theatre Project Welcomes Back Jonathan Bernstein From July 17-21

Jonathan Bernstein has worked on over twenty plays and musicals in New York (both on and off-Broadway) in various capacities. Regionally, he has directed productions at the Williamstown Theater Festival and Washington D.C.'s Signature Theater, among others. He is currently at work finishing the book of a new musical which will premiere in California later this year, in addition to writing two new commissioned plays. Mr. Bernstein appreciates what third baseman Evan Longoria is achieving in the Tampa Bay Rays line-up.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Vote For Broadway Theatre Project alum Evan Kasprzak Tonight on "So You Think You Can Dance!"

888-836-7605 is all you need to know about this week's So You Think You Can Dance because that is the number to vote for our favorite (and yours, I am sure) contestant Evan Kasprzak, a Broadway Theater Project alum and all around standup guy. Voting is free. So now you have no excuse. Just hit that redial button as many times as possible to give everyone another Kasprzak fix for next week. We will thank you later.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Acclaimed Actor, Director and Playwright Austin Pendleton to Teach at Broadway Theatre Project July 15-16

An alumnus of the Yale School of drama, Austin Pendleton has a successful career as a writer, director and actor. He has a long artistic relationship with the Steppenwolf theatre, which began with him directing Say Goodnight, Gracie for the 1979-1980 season. In addition to directing at Steppenwolf, Austin has appeared as an actor in such productions as Uncle Vanya, Valparaiso and Educating Rita (also Off-Broadway). His film work is as diverse as A Beautiful Mind, Mr. & Mrs. Bridge and The Muppet Movie. His award-winning plays include Booth, Uncle Bob and Orson's Shadow, which received its world premiere in the Steppenwolf Garage. Other Credits Include: Actor-Broadway: The Diary of Anne Frank; Doubles; Hail Strawdyke; Fiddler on the Roof. Off-Broadway: The Sunset Limited; Richard II; Hamlet; Richard III; The Last Sweet Days of Isaac; Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad; New Repertory Theatre, Boston: King Lear; Waiting for Godot. Director-Off-Broadway The Little Foxes; Spoils of War; The Runner Stumbles; frequent directing at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Playwright and Actor - Chicago Center for the Performing Arts: Orson's Shadow Writers’ Theater Chicago: Booth. Barrow Street Theatre: Orson's Shadow. Film-Picadilly Jim; Dirty Work; Finding Nemo; A Beautiful Mind; Queenie in Love; Manna from Heaven; Mr. and Mrs. Bridge; What's Up Doc; Joe the King; The Associate; Trial and Error; Amistad; Sue; The Muppet Movie, My Cousin Vinny; Christmas with the Kranks. Television-Homicide (NBC); Oz (HBO); The Fourth Floor (HBO); Liberty (PBS). Awards-L.A. Drama Critics Award - Best Writing (Orson's Shadow); Clarence Derwent Award (Hail Strawdyke); Obie Award (The Last Sweet Days of Isaac).

Broadway Theatre Project Welcomes Returning Guest Artist and "Wonderland" Co-Creator Frank Wildhorn to Teach From July 14-15

Frank Wildhorn’s works span the worlds of popular, theatrical and classical music. In 1999, Frank became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde (written with Leslie Bricusse), which received two Tony nominations; The Scarlet Pimpernel (written with Nan Knighton), which received four Tony nominations; and The Civil War (written with Jack Murphy & Gregory Boyd), which received two Tony nominations. Frank also wrote additional songs for Broadway’s Victor/Victoria (written with Leslie Bricusse) and was recently represented on Broadway by Dracula: The Musical (written with Don Black & Christopher Hampton). For a complete bio of Frank Wildhorn, please visit frankwildhorn.com.

Frank is currently working on Wonderland (written with Jack Murphy) - a new adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, which will premiere in Tampa, Florida in December 2009, followed by a run in Houston, Texas. Wonderland had its world premiere workshop during the 2007 session of Broadway Theatre Project. Numbers were choreographed and directed by Artistic Director Debra McWaters and presented in the Broadway Theatre Project performance. Producer Judith Lisi from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center acquired the show after seeing the BTP workshop production of Wonderland.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Broadway Theatre Project Alum and Guest Artist Patrick Wilson's First Day

Check out this article on tbo.com on Patrick Wilson at the Broadway Theatre Project today!

Broadway Theatre Project Announces the 2009 Festival July 31-August 1

The First Annual Broadway Theatre Project Festival!

The 2009 session of Broadway Theatre Project culminates in an exciting new festival that will take place at the University of South Florida from July 30th to August 1st. Four performances are scheduled to take place at this year’s Festival. Two performances will feature the work of BTP Apprentices in classic and modern musical theatre pieces. These original numbers will be directed and choreographed by BTP faculty members and presented on evenings of July 31st and August 1st.

The Festival will also feature seminars designed to help young artists and their families navigate the business side of a career in the arts. Jed Bernstein, producer and former President of the League of American Theatres and Producers, Broadway casting director, Dave Clemmons as well as Peak Performance coach Dr. Denise Federer will lead these seminars. There will also be an opportunity for students to be observed while in class and parents to have the opportunity to take classes.

Festival tickets are available at Ticketmaster and can be purchased for individual performances or for the entire festival.

Broadway Theatre Project Begins! Day 1

Broadway Theatre Project kicks off today with Patrick Wilson giving master classes. Resident Faculty Member and alum Neil Patrick Stewart guest blogs:

"As always, BTP is off with a running start! It's amazing to see nearly 200 fresh faces descend upon USF like a musical theatre army! As I type, they are in the other room grilling BTP alum Patrick Wilson on his myriad achievements, laughing and clapping at his witty anecdotes and infinite charm.

Today we'll put them through the ringer, as they audition separately for each of the vocal, dance, and acting departments. The schedule will get no less difficult for these students- it's a good thing that this summer they have swanky digs: hopefully a full-service hotel will allow them more rest than a crowded campus dorm!

The faculty is here and rarin' to go- just like the program and its new festival format, the teachers have come this summer with new, creative ideas and unique collaborations.

It's going to be a great summer!"

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Broadway Theatre Project Welcomes Back Patrick Wilson, a BTP Alum and Guest Artist, to Teach Monday, July 13

Broadway Theatre Project Alum and Guest Artist Patrick Wilson says:

“I always feel like the use of the word Broadway is a moniker people give things, but the caliber of teachers and guest artists at Broadway Theatre Project are the real deal. I am a huge fan of BTP. It prepares the apprentices for a career and that is one of the things that keeps me going back.”

Bio: Patrick Wilson has recently been seen on the big screen as the superhero Nite Owl II in the blockbuster hit Watchmen. Later this year, he will be seen in the upcoming films Barry Munday and The Baster opposite Jennifer Aniston. Patrick was last seen on Broadway in the critically acclaimed revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, costarring Tony Award-winner John Lithgow, Academy Award-winner Dianne Wiest, and film actress Katie Holmes. His other Broadway credits are Barefoot in the Park, The Full Monty (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations, Drama League Award), Oklahoma! (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), and Gershwins’ Fascinating Rhythm (Drama League Award). He was seen off-Broadway in: Bright Lights, Big City (Drama Desk nomination, Drama League Award), Tenderloin (Encores!) and in the national tour of Carousel (Drama-Logue Award, Carbonell Award, L.A. Ovation nom.), and Miss Saigon. His regional credits include Sweet Bird of Youth, Harmony, Ciderhouse Rules, Romeo and Juliet: The Musical, Lucky in the Rain, The Full Monty. Recordings: The Full Monty, Tenderloin, Lucky in the Rain, Bright Lights Big City, Allegro. Film: Angels in America (Golden Globe and Emmy nominations), The Alamo, Phantom of the Opera, Hard Candy, Little Children, Evening. Lakeview Terrace, Passengers, Watchmen. Recently Wrapped: Barry Munday, The Baster, Morning Glory.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Help Broadway Theatre Project Alum Evan Kasprzak Get in the Top 10 on "SYTYCD"

Tonight is the night! Help get Evan Kasprzak in the Top 10 on So You Think You Can Dance!

To Vote for Evan and Randi Tonight, dial 888-836-7605 between the hours of 10pm and midnight, EST. Voting is FREE and you can vote as many times as you like!


The Kasprzaks tell us "The competition is going to be fierce. Each couple is going to be dancing two different routines to fight for a spot in the all important top 10. The top 10 finalists get to go on a Live 50 City Tour this fall. We all want to see Evan and Randi make the top 10 so we can see them perform those great routines live."

And we agree! Make sure your voice is heard! Vote for Evan tonight at the numbers above! Go Evan!!!