Broadway Theatre Project Comes to Tampa This July

This July, two hundred apprentices from all over the country (as well as the UK and Canada) will head to the University of South Florida to participate in Broadway Theatre Project, an intense three-week training session in all things musical theatre. The apprentices, who range in age from 16-24, are taught acting, singing and dancing by industry professionals who have appeared on Broadway, in television and in major motion pictures. Tampa Bay-area alums who are now faculty members and will be returning to teach this summer (schedules permitting) include: Kelly King, currently the dance captain of the Radio City Rockettes, Monica Raymund, currently appearing in the TV show Lie to Me on Fox and Patrick Wilson, whose latest film Insidious is currently in theatres nationwide.

Quote from Patrick Wilson on Broadway Theatre Project

"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." - Patrick Wilson, Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony-nominated actor who is also a BTP alum and faculty member

What is BTP?

Founded in 1991, Broadway Theatre Project (BTP) is described by Playbill magazine as "the world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students." Under the Artistic Direction of Debra McWaters, the not-for-profit BTP (a 501c3) 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. BTP 2011 will culminate in an exciting three-day festival at the University of South Florida.

Guest Artists

Past BTP Guest Artists have included entertainment industry luminaries such as Julie Andrews, Jay Binder, Stanley Donen, Savion Glover, Jeff Goldblum, Joel Grey, Gregory Hines, John Kander, Patti LuPone, Terrence Mann, James Naughton, Bebe Neuwirth, Phylicia Rashad, Tommy Tune, Ben Vereen, Gwen Verdon, Frank Wildhorn and Patrick Wilson, among many others.

Alumni Successes

Broadway Theatre Project has successfully prepared and trained numerous apprentices who have performed in more than 70 different Broadway shows and countless other films, television, national tours and regional theatres around the world. Some recent Broadway successes include: BTP alum Sierra Boggess, who finished her stint as Ariel in The Little Mermaid and will be starring in the Broadway revival of Master Class this summer; Alums Sara Andreas, Alex Ellis, Aleks Pevec, Kristin Piro and Sarrah Strimel, who are all currently starring in Broadway's Catch Me If You Can; Alums Cameron Adams, Paige Faure Finger, Erica Mansfield and Ryan Watkinson, who are all currently starring in Broadway's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; Alums Jeff Metzler and Josh Buscher, who are both currently starring in Broadway's Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Chase Brock, who is currently choreographing the controversial Broadway musical Spider-Man for its June premiere, among many others. In addition to the above, this Broadway season, two BTP alums had the honor of receiving the coveted Gypsy Robe, which is given to the chorus members with the most Broadway credits. They are BTP alum and faculty member Grady Bowman for Wonderland, which was first workshopped at BTP, and alum Michael James Scott for Book of Mormon. A full list of alumni successes is available upon request.

Curriculum

Students are chosen from around the country by audition only. In residence at the University of South Florida, BTP pursues a mission of providing educational excellence to mold a creative, well-rounded, professional musical theatre performer. Each July, a faculty of approximately 50 working artists teaches classes in acting, ballet, ballroom, clowning, jazz, modern, stage combat, tap, vocal technique and writing, to name a few. The curriculum also includes master classes on a diverse range of topics including Acting on Camera, Auditioning, Collaboration, Life on the Road, Getting Started in the Business, College Selection and general Question and Answer sessions.

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