Broadway Theatre Project Holds Auditions for Summer Program 2/7

Auditions are being held in NYC by Artistic Director Debra McWaters for BTP's intensive three-week musical theatre training program. Auditions are open calls and no appointments are necessary. They will be taking on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 11 am at Ripley Greer Studios (17th Floor, 520 8th Ave, NYC). The 2009 session takes place from July 12 - August 1. Master Classes at BTP have been taught in the past by such Broadway luminaries as Julie Andrews, Christopher d'Amboise, Rob Fisher, Terrence Mann, Austin Pendleton, Ben Vereen, Frank Wildhorn and Patrick Wilson, to name only a few. BTP alums have performed in over 65 shows on Broadway - complete list available upon request. Visit broadwaytheatreproject.com for more information.

Playbill magazine calls Broadway Theatre Project, founded in 1991, "the world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program for high school and college students." Students attend an intensive three-week training program focused on the key disciplines of musical theatre including acting, dancing and singing, including the many facets of each, as well as the critical life skills necessary to prepare them to work in the professional world of entertainment. Emphasis is not only placed on the individual art forms but also on the collaborative process and the collective creation of art. Our mission is to provide educational excellence and to mold a creative, collaborative, well rounded, professional musical theatre performer.

Debra McWaters was Ann Reinking's associate for more than fifteen years. Assistant Choreographer: The Tony award-winning Broadway production of Fosse as well as the first National Tour, the London West End production and the European Tour; the Tony award-winning show, Chicago, Broadway production, Shubert Theatre; Chicago, two National Tours; Chicago, London, Australian and Viennese companies; Chicago, Encores!, New York City Center. National Tour: Applause, Papermill Playhouse. Associate Choreographer: Strings!, Encore Series at the New York City Center, The Look of Love, Roundabout Theatre Company, The Visit, the Goodman Theatre with Chita Rivera, Legends, Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, Suite Kander, Missouri State Ballet, Tonight at 8:30, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Caution: Side Effects, Melissa Thodos Dancers.

Associate Director/Choreographer: Broadway Under the Stars at Bryant Park. Co-founded the Broadway Theatre Project. Served as Chair of the University of South Florida Dance Department. Debra was the Director/Choreographer of the 2002 through 2004 National/International companies as well as the Gateway Playhouse production of Fosse.

In addition to teaching master classes around the country, Debra is the author of a book on the Fosse style of dance, entitled "The Fosse Style," and has written the book, "Musical Theatre Training: The Broadway Theatre Project Handbook" to be published in May 2009. Debra works as choreographer for Ben Vereen's one man shows, and recently served as the choreographer for the workshops of Frank Wildhorn's Broadway-bound musicals, Wonderland and Havana.