On August 17, 2005, our first Summer Retreat kicked off with a Launch Party at TONIC in Times Square.
Our students had the opportunity to meet and mingle with cast members from just about every show currently running on Broadway, as well as a few big stars and a true Broadway legend!
It was a great way to introduce our students to some leading forces in the Broadway community, some of whom would be their instructors over the next three days.
Day 1: Auditions
Individual Auditions for Production Team
Day one of our retreat started with a panel of esteemed pros behind the table. Students had the opportunity to sing prepared songs accompanied by Collective member Michael Lavine. In some cases, they got notes and changes on the spot, and some monologues were also performed. Our guests included Broadway Musical Director/Conductor Kimberly Grigsby, Dave Clemmons and Rachel Hoffman of Clemmons Casting, Merri Sugarman (Casting Director/Co-Founder of MA) and Adam Pelty (BroadwayActor/Co-Founder of MA). Matthew Stocke (BroadwayActor/Co-Founder of MA) monitored the entire process as at a real audition. Feedback in a group setting ended our very first session. Although tension was high, the students handled it with grace and determination and spirit. It was a wonderful beginning! We were off and running!
Dance Call w/Andy Blankenbeuhler
One of Broadway’s finest dancers and up and coming choreographers, Andy Blankenbeuhler taught a two-hour class focusing on the dance audition. During the course of three dance combinations he conveyed the point of view of the choreographer in casting and the mindset of the performer as they go through the process of learning and performing dance in a short period of time. He made eliminations and explained every decision, presenting students with an honest, positive and productive summation of their work in real time. An incredibly valuable experience!
Ask The Collective
Collective members/Actors and Tony Nominees Brad Oscar ("The Producers", "Jekyll & Hyde", "Aspects of Love"), Barbara Walsh ("Hairspray", "Falsettos", "Blood Brothers"), Erin Dilly ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "Into the Woods", "Follies") and Joe Cassidy ("Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", "Showboat", "Les Miserables") dropped by to chat. There was a lively Q&A that revealed stories and lessons learned. Lots of laughter and most importantly, the students left savvier and excited at the prospect of being a part of this warm, talented and generous community. It was the perfect way to end our first day.
Michael Lavine is one of New York’s foremost experts on music repertoire for the Musical Theatre. If a Broadway actor hasn’t worked with him, you’ve heard of him, and Moveable Arts is proud to have him as our resident accompanist and repertoire instructor. During this session, the fundamentals of choosing personal vocal material for an audition was discussed. Students performed, and we even got a performance from Mr. Lavine!
Agent Don Birge from Stewart Talent
On Friday morning, talent agent Don Birge of Stewart Talent led a discussion on agents and managers. The students were given keen insight into what exactly the role of a representative agent is, and were able to ask questions about every facet of the performer/agent relationship.
Merri Sugarman – Casting for Film and Television
Here we took a break from Theater and Merri Sugarman (Collective member/Former Executive Casting Director DreamWorks, ABC Television) gave our students a dose of the world of Film and Television. The audition process was discussed from the initial read to the sessions with producers and on through the screen tests. Helpful resources - including agents/pictures & resumes and classes both in LA and NY - were given out. Myths were dispelled, the differences between on camera auditioning and how to enter and 'pop' in the room were talked about at length and a healthy dose of what it takes to lead a rich, full life as a professional performer were communicated. The students were sponges - intuitive questions were asked and answered.
Ask The Collective & Informal Dinner: Cast of "SPAMALOT!"
Day Two ended with a visit from the cast of the Tony Award winning Best Musical, Spamalot! Several members of the cast held a very informative discussion with our students, covering a range of topics from how they became involved in the show through the collaborative process of creating the show, as well as humorous backstage stories of technical rehearsals! A very informal and fun picnic dinner followed where our students were able to really see what Broadway stars look like with their mouths full!
Performance of Broadway's "The Light in the Piazza" followed by a 'talk-back' with the cast
On Friday night, although there is no photographic record of it, the students attended a performance of Lincoln Center Theatre’s production of A Light in the Piazza. After the show, cast members Kelli O’Hara, Michael Beresse, Matt Morrison and Sarah Uriarte-Berry spent an hour talking with the students. Pretty terrific.
Day 3: Workshops
Choreography workshop with David Marquez
The students changed into their dance clothes and met Broadway Choreographer David Marquez ("Fascinatin' Rhythm", "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", "Stanley"). For the next hour and a half, to a thrilling musical piece, David taught a dance combination geared toward the actor. The dance was intense, and both he and the students poured their hearts into the work which tested limits physically and emotionally. He taught them to impress with their bodies, minds and souls. We saw the students - who were of various skill levels - transform, gain confidence and stretch to their limits.
Structure of the Broadway Production: From Concept to Opening Night w/Roy Miller
An aspect of theatre that often remains a mystery to performers even at the highest level is the process of bringing a show to Broadway. How does a producer discover new work, raise money, deal with unions, hire directors, managers, marketing? All of these questions were touched on by Roy Miller, formerly with Paper Mill Playhouse and now one of Broadway's hottest producers (keep an eye out for The Drowsy Chaperone with Sutton Foster). Roy took the students through the basics of what it means to "produce" and answered so many questions involving the nuts and bolts of facilitating theatre.
"On Your Toes" - Cold Readings w/Sutton Foster, Patrick Wilson, Matt Stocke
The final class of the retreat provided a unique opportunity for our students to work with and learn from two of the biggest stars on Broadway. The class was called “On Your Toes”, and it was headed by Tony Award winner Sutton Foster and Tony, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee, Patrick Wilson. The class focused on the “cold-reading” aspect of the audition process, wherein they learned the importance of making quick and informed choices in the callback situation. It was rigorous and rewarding!
"Reality Check" - Final Questions, Observations and Feedback
The Reality Check ended Moveable Arts' maiden voyage. Founders/Instructors Adam Pelty, Matt Stocke and Merri Sugarman gathered the students for some feedback. Here we heard what worked and what didn't, what they felt throughout the retreat and how their perceptions had been altered in a four day span. They were honest and articulate and truly helpful with their suggestions and comments. It was incredibly significant and touching to us at Moveable Arts and it gave everyone a chance to decompress and say "So long" to friends old and new. What we learned - in addition to so many other things - was that these students left with new knowledge of 'the business of the business' and a creative learning experience that will not soon be surpassed. We are so grateful to them for their participation and extremely proud of their work and growth!
