Broadway Dream Foundation to 'Take It To The Limit' with Arts Intensive at the Kimmel Center, 8/4-10

The Broadway Dreams Foundation will give aspiring performers across the country their "big break" when the program embarks on Take It To The Limit: Defining EXTA-Ordinary, the 2014 Summer Performing Arts Intensive Tour. The national non-profit training program will present an incredible roster of Broadway directors, performers, and industry insiders who will offer highly personalized musical theatre training and mentoring through unique, week-long performing arts intensive workshops for students of all ages, skill levels, and socio-economic backgrounds.

During each intensive, attendees will receive first-rate training in acting, dance and vocal technique before performing alongside their Broadway idols in a dynamic concert directed by one of the industry's finest directors. Students will also learn how to improve their audition skills and have the opportunity to audition and perform for top NYC casting directors and agents, including Craig Burns and Rachel Hoffman from Telsey + Company, Jamie Harris from Clear Talent Group, and Mark Redanty from BRS Talent Agency, all of whom will offer valuable feedback.

"There are many performing arts programs to choose from," says BDF Executive Director Annette Tanner. "However, at BDF we go above and beyond to ensure that each student gets the training and connections they need to succeed in a very competitive industry. When you enroll in a BDF program, you're paying for a week, but I guarantee that you'll get a life-time of support."

BDF Atlanta alum, Ryann Redmond (currently starring in Broadway's If/Then) said this of her experience, "Three years ago I was asked to perform at the BDF NYC benefit and Bernie Telsey was in the audience. The next day he asked me to read for Bridget in Bring It On: The Musical and the rest is history. I wouldn't have made my Broadway debut so soon without the guidance, support, and opportunity BDF afforded me."

The Broadway Dreams Foundation takes great pride in guiding students through their professional journey as young artists, giving them the tools, support and industry connections they need to succeed. In the past several years, over 30 BDF students have landed roles in Broadway, national touring and regional productions, including Violet (Emerson Steele), If/Then (Ryann Redmond), Holler If Ya Hear Me (Ariana Groover), The Book of Mormon (Paris Nesbitt), Annie (Gabby Bradbury), Evita (Katie Huff), Porgy and Bess (Lindsay Roberts), Motown the Musical (Rodney Earl Jackson, Galen Williams, Melanie Evans), and Barry Manilow's Harmony (Greg Kamp).

The Take It to The Limit 2014 Summer Performing Arts Tour will kick off at Hawkins School of Performing Arts in Sacramento, CA on May 31, 2014; followed by the Atlantic Lyric Theatre in Atlanta, GA; the Anne and Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School in Los Angeles, CA; Omaha Performing Arts in Omaha, NE; Kimmel Center for Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA and Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY.

Acclaimed directors Stafford Arima (Allegiance, Carrie), Dan Knechtges (Lysistrata Jones, Xanadu) and Matt Lenz (Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can) along with Emmy Award nominated choreographer Spencer Liff ("So You Think You Can Dance," Hedwig and the Angry Inch) will lead the creative team which also includes, BDF Artistic Director Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan), Education Director Craig D'Amico (Fiddler on the Roof), Executive Director Annette Tanner, Tituss Burgess ("Taken," The Little Mermaid), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime), Meg Gillentine (Cats, The Producers), Gregory Haney (Bring It On The Musical), Luke Hawkins (West Side Story, Cirque du Soleil), Michele Lynch (Everyday Rapture), Craig Meyer (Almost Elton John), Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime), Christiane Noll (Ragtime), Nicole Parker ("MadTV," Wicked), and musical theatre writers Drew Fornarola (College The Musical) and Marshall Pailet (Triassic Parq). Additional Broadway faculty will be announced soon.

The Philadelphia intensive at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts will include master classes devoted to mastering the college audition process led by Mary Anna Dennard, top college audition coach and author of "I Got In!" Joining Dennard will be representatives from top musical theatre schools including, Kaitlin Hopkins (Texas State University), Grant Kretchik (Pace University, Dyson College), Robin Lewis (Rider University), Barbara MacKenzie-Wood (Carnegie Mellon University), Mark Madama (University of Michigan), and Amy Rogers (Pace University).

The Broadway Dreams Foundation is a premier, national performing arts education program dedicated to ongoing engagement, inspiration, and access regardless of a student's ability to pay. With a faculty of Broadway stars, directors and agents committed to giving back to the theatrical community, BDF provides invaluable training to anyone who aspires for a career in the performing arts. The unique program offers students highly personalized and supportive mentorship, an exciting, and collaborative learning environment and ongoing networking to build confidence and life skills. The Broadway Dreams Foundation provides a life changing experience. In 2013, 42% of all BDF students participated on full or partial scholarship. Financial need based scholarships are available in all cities. To apply, visit: www.mybroadwaydreams.com/register

For more information on The Broadway Dreams Foundation, visit: www.mybroadwaydreams.com.

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT 2014 SUMMER INTENSIVE TOUR

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

August 4 - August 10, 2014

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (300 S Broad Street)

Directed by Dan Knechtges

Guest Directors Marcia Milgrom Dodge and Kaitlin Hopkins

Acceptance Audition: Thursday, May 8, 2014

Final Casting Audition: Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3, 2014

Tuition Cost: $995 (Scholarships available)

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

May 31 - June 1, 2014

Hawkins School of the Performing Arts (118 Woodmere Rd, Folsom, CA)

Directed by Dan Knechtges and Stafford Arima

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

June 14 - June 18, 2014

The Atlanta Lyric Theatre (548 South Marietta Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA)

Directed by Matt Lenz

Final Casting Audition: Friday, June 13, 2014

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

June 22 - 29, 2014

The Ann and Jerry Moss Theater at New Roads School (3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA, 90404)

Directed by Stafford Arima

Acceptance Audition: Thursday, May 29, 2014

Final Casting Audition: Sunday, June 22, 2014

OMAHA, NEBRASKA

July 21 - July 27, 2014

Omaha Performing Arts Orpheum Theater (409 S 16th St, Omaha)

Directed by Stafford Arima

Acceptance Audition: Saturday, May 10, 2014

Final Casting Audition: Wednesday June 18 and Thursday, June 19, 2014

GLIMMERGLASS FESTIVAL

COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK

August 15 - August 18, 2014

Alice Busch Opera Theater (7300 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY)

Directed by Dan Knechtges and Matt Lenz

Final casting auditions will be held during program hours.

For more, visit www.mybroadwaydreams.com.