Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Michael Jackson was a huge influence and inspiration in the dance community. His contributions to dance and music will be felt around our studio forever. His artistry is legendary and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. For the weeks to come, we will all celebrate his life through camaraderie and dance.

Michael Jackson worked with BDC guest choreographer Buddha Stretch, who choreographed the Remember The Times music video, and also with BDC choreographer BT on the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special.

The ABC local affiliate and ABC World News visited BDC to film classes and to interview BT, Stretch, Spex and students who have been inspired by Michael.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Invaluable Opportunity for Aspiring Performers

The Musical Theater Performance Project
with
Artistic Director Joshua Bergasse

LIMITED SPACE! — Rolling Admissions
Application deadline extended to July 1, 2009

Program dates: August 12-17, 2009

All applicants must be Advanced Level performers 15-25 years old.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to provide performers on the cusp of a professional career the tools, technical training, information, and networking opportunities to break into the world of professional Musical Theater.

Applicants should submit the following:

  • Completed Application Form (Download Application)
  • Headshot or Dance Photo
  • Performance and Training Résumé
  • DVD video or YouTube URL. Video must include singing 32 bars that best shows vocal range and ability, as well as 1-2 min. of dance that displays technique and musicality.
  • One Letter of Recommendation
  • $25 application fee payable to Broadway Dance Center (check, money order, visa or mastercard)

Applications are rolling admissions. Final application due date: July 1, 2009.

A NOTE FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Dear Performers,

I am thrilled to announce the first annual Musical Theater Performance Project presented by Broadway Dance Center, the place for serious aspiring dancers to study with Broadway veterans in the heart of New York City’s legendary theater district.

I have always wanted to capitalize on the resources offered in the Big Apple and the extraordinary skills of my talented colleagues to assemble the ultimate theater workshop for advanced performers – a workshop that couldn’t happen anywhere else but here. The concept of this intensive is unprecedented—students will take class and rehearse with a comprehensive array of industry professionals, learn virtually every aspect of the business, and showcase what they have learned in a performance for agencies and producers who cast Broadway shows.

My associates and I are so passionate about our craft and very excited to share with you an insider’s look at the business—we can’t wait to watch your performance go from great
to amazing!

All the best,

Josh Bergasse
Joshua Bergasse

The Faculty*

*Faculty subject to change

This distinguished collection of world-renowned Directors, Choreographers, Teachers, and Performers have contributed work to the following stunning array of shows: In The Heights, 9 to 5, So You Think You Can Dance, Fosse, Contact, Hairspray, Man of La Mancha, Saturday Night Fever, Steel Pier, Guys and Dolls, White Christmas, Billy Elliot, Wicked, 42nd Street, Movin’ Out, Chicago, Trading Spaces, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Legally Blonde, Altar Boyz, to name a few!

Josh Bergasse, Andy Blankenbuehler, Christopher Gatelli, David Marquez, Randy Skinner, Jeff Amsden, Sheila Barker, Kristine Bendul, Rachel Bress, Dylis Croman, Ben Cohn, Bill Castellino, Paige Davis, Lucille DiCampli (MSA), Christopher Freer (CTG), Greg Graham, Kevin Gray, Finis Jhung, James Kinney, Leslie Kritzer, Lorin Latarro, Norm Lewis, Stephen Nachamie, Noah Racey, Robby Stamper, Shea Sullivan, Nikole Vallins (Binder), Marianne Wells, Karen Ziemba and more!


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Congratulations Childen and Teen Program Dancers!!!

Wow, what an amazing year!

The BDC Children and Teen Program dancers performed their annual recitals at the Danny Kaye Playhouse June 14. The dancers performed in three separate shows, each one fabulous and just as action-packed as the next!

We are SO PROUD of all our dancers for their commitment and hard work, and extremely appreciative of all the dancers' families for their support and dedication to our studio and its programs.

Here are a few shots from the show-enjoy!!!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Welcome BDC Summer Interns!

Today, we welcomed 65 new Interns to Broadway Dance Center for their first day of classes! They're all very excited to be here, and we can't wait to see how they thrive in our challenging and encouraging atmosphere.

Bonnie Erickson, Educational Director here at BDC, led an in-depth orientation and gave the new students a tour of the studio. All 70 received their BDC ClubCards and schedules, and some went straight into classes! The Summer Interns will be with us through August 9, and will be a major part of the Summer NYC Production Crew for The PULSE on Tour July 27-30.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Studio Shout Out!!!

We love having visitors at Broadway Dance Center, and today, we are lucky enough to be host to five different groups! Dayna Camp, our Group Services Director, helps the dancers and teachers set their schedules and find their way around the studio. This way, the trip to NYC feels a little less intimidating.

Some of the studios with us today:

Hart Dance Academy, Lincoln, NE

Peaches, Miami, FL

Suzanne Semans Dance Studio, Houston, TX

We applaud your dedication to dance training and quality education for you and your students.

Thank you for your support!



Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Special Audition Workshop with the Knicks City Dancers


If you're thinking of auditioning for the Knicks City Dancers, but aren't quite sure what to expect, come get a taste of what's to come at the Broadway Dance Center Special Knicks City Dancers Audition Workshop this Saturday, June 13 at 1:30 p.m.

The special audition workshop is the perfect way to get prepared for the 2009-2010 season auditions. The auditions alone are exciting enough to get you moving, but even more fun, is the fact that we hear Shane Sparks is going to be one of the guest judges!

Special Audition Workshop
with the Knicks City Dancers

Sat 1:30-3 pm.• June 13
at Broadway Dance Center

Click here to see the official Knicks Web site for additional audition information

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Learn Choreography From the Stars of So You Think You Can Dance!

Are you watching this season's hottest dance show, So You Think You Can Dance? We certainly are! For those of you who are studio regulars, you may recognize BDC patron Karla Garcia, or The PULSE dancer, Kayla Radomsky. We're thrilled that the country gets to see these amazing dancers in action!

Kayla Radomsky at The PULSE

Karla Garcia in Class at Broadway Dance Center (57th Street)

If you've always wanted to learn Mia Michaels' choreography or get instruction from Wade Robson, we've got just the thing for you: The PULSE on Tour!

The PULSE is an intense dance convention that travels from state to state throughout the year and features full days of dance classes (hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, Broadway-style jazz, ballroom, etc.) led by the industry's best! Our faculty includes: Mia Michaels, Brian Friedman, Wade Robson, Cris Judd, Shane Sparks, Tyce Diorio, Laurieann Gibson, Dave Scott, and new this season, Gil Duldulao! Now is your chance to learn from teh great choreogeraphers you see on TV and film. Join us this summer, or on the road next year!

Check out the newly-released dates for The PULSE 2009-2010 season!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Congratulations to All 2009 Tony Award Winners!

We watched the Tonys last night and were cheering on our friends as they performed in the 63rd annual awards ceremony.

Here's a list of the night's winners:


Best Play: God of Carnage (Author: Yasmina Reza)

Best Musical: Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Book of a Musical: Billy Elliot, The Musical (Lee Hall)

Best Original Score Written for the Theatre: Next to Normal (Music: Tom Kitt, Lyrics: Brian Yorkey)

Best Revival of a Play: The Norman Conquests

Best Revival of a Musical: Hair

Best Special Theatrical Event: Liza's at The Palace

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play: Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play: Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical: David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: Alice Ripley, Next to Normal

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Roger Robinson, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play: Angela Lansbury, Blithe Spirit

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical: Gregory Jbara, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical: Karen Olivo, West Side Story

Best Direction of a Play: Matthew Warchus, God of Carnage

Best Direction of a Musical: Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Choreography: Peter Darling, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Orchestrations: Martin Koch, Billy Elliot, The Musical; Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt, Next to Normal

Best Scenic Design of a Play: Derek McLane, 33 Variations

Best Scenic Design of a Musical: Ian MacNeil, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Costume Design of a Play: Anthony Ward, Mary Stuart

Best Costume Design of a Musical: Tim Hatley, Shrek The Musical

Best Lighting Design of a Play: Brian MacDevitt, Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Best Lighting Design of a Musical: Rick Fisher, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play: Gregory Clarke, Equus

Best Sound Design of a Musical: Paul Arditti, Billy Elliot, The Musical

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre: Jerry Herman

Regional Theatre Tony Award: Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.

Isabelle Stevenson Award: Phyllis Newman

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre: Shirley Herz

New Yorkers getting into the Tony spirit and watching the awards ceremony in Times Square

Tony Fun Fact: Did you know that the Tony Awards are actually named for a woman, Antionette Perry? Visit the Tony site for more information on Antionette.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Big Brother/ Big Sister Program

Lainie Munro's Broadway Big Brother/Big Sister Program in New York City will perform at The Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College as part of the Broadway Dance Center Children and Teen Recital June 14 at 3 and 7 p.m.

Since its beginning in 2001, more than 85 dancers from the Broadway community have participated in the program. Young dancers ages 9-17 get the unique opportunity of working with Broadway professionals one-on-one.

After an audition in the Spring, 14 dancers were selected and matched with a Broadway professional whose own personality, style, and interests compliment the child- a true "Big Brother" or "Big Sister". The children meet on five Sunday evenings, working side by side with their Big Brother or Big Sister as they rehearse a production number choreographed by Lainie Munro. This year the production number will be Liza Minelli's City Lights from the Kander & Ebb musical The Act.

ANNOUNCING THE 2009 CAST!

This year's Broadway Big Brothers and Big Sisters:
Julio Agustin, Purdie Bauman, Summer Broyhill, Tiffany Cooper, Colleen Hawks, Tari Kelly, Michelle Lookadoo, April Nixon, Gayle Holsman Seay, LaQuet Sharnell, Bret Shuford, Byron St. Cyr, Taylor Sternberg and Jen Taylor.

The Little Brothers and Sisters:
Marcellus Brown, Tristen Buettel, Mariah Eugenia Ferrante, Danielle Imbriano, Stefania Lessen, Samantha Logan, Adam Mandala, Jenny Mollet, Tareake Ramos, Cristina Rodriguez, Anthony Santos, Juliette Stewart, Maddie Warriner and Maya Wright.

Collectively, the Big Brothers and Sisters represent the following Broadway and National Touring companies:
FOSSE
JERSEY BOYS
HAIRSPRAY
THE LION KING
CATS
CHICAGO
THE LITTLE MERMAID
MARY POPPINS
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
MY FAIR LADY
SWEET CHARITY
THE BOY FROM OZ
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
THE WIZ
SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE
DAMN YANKEES
BOMBAY DREAMS
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
NEVER GONNA DANCE
THE WHO'S TOMMY
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
BELLS ARE RINGING
STEEL PIER
THE APPLE TREE
SHOWBOAT
THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES



Thursday, June 4, 2009

BDC Celebrates 25 Years of Dance!

Broadway Dance Center celebrated its 25th Anniversary May 5th in New York City!

BDC hosted a gala in the heart of Manhattan at The Grand Ballroom on 34th Street to celebrate 25 years of Dance! The gala began with a cocktail hour where guests mingled and caught up with old friends, and was followed by a Showcase that was a HUGE success! The showcase featured choreography by Joshua Bergasse, Rhapsody, Barbara Duffy, Tracie Stanfield, Cecilia Marta, Ginger Cox, Germaine Salsberg, Sheryl Murakami, Sheila Barker, Derek Mitchell, Jamie Jackson, Maria Torres, Jeff Amsden, Brice Mousset, Shea Sullivan and Calen Kurka. Savion Glover was on hand to accept the BDC Legend Award on behalf of Frank Hatchett, and Allison Ellner accepted the BDC Legend Award on behalf of her father, Richard Ellner.

We felt so much support and love from all who attended and even from those who couldn't make it to the red-carpet event. We are so proud to be part of the NYC Dance Community, and are looking forward to another 25 years of awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, cutting-edge DANCE!!!

Thank you to all our teachers, students, staff, and supporters-we are only here because of you!

BDC Interns and ISVP Students at the 25th Anniversary Gala