Photo Coverage: 'The Broadway Workshop' with HAIRSPRAY Film Star Nikki Blonsky!

The Broadway Workshop, Manhattan’s fastest growing acting program for young artists, teamed up with Golden Globe nominated TV and movie star Nikki Blonsky, for its one day 'Hairspray' musical workshop.  THE HAIRSPRAY WORKSHOP, took place on November 1, 2008 in New York City. This Workshop gave students the opportunity to work on every area of musical theater performance.

The class focused on giving young actors the tools necessary to help them stand out from the crowd.  Students worked on Song Interpretation, musical theatre audition technique and a dance combination from the Broadway production of HAIRSPRAY. Students also got to participate in a Q & A with Miss Blonsky.  

“I am so excited to work with The Broadway Workshop’s students”, said Blonsky on teaching the one day class.  

At the age of 17 Nikki Blonsky shot to stardom playing Tracy Turnblad opposite John Travolta in the hit movie musical HAIRSPRAY. Since HAIRSPRAY,  she has starred in the Lifetime movie QUEEN SIZED and in the film HAROLD. Nikki was born and raised in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. Nikki received her dramatic and musical training at Great Neck South High School, which is a four time Grammy Foundation Signature School. Some of Nikki’s high school credits include Madame Tanardeau in LES MISERABLES, Mrs. Lovett in SWEENY TODD, Kate in KISS ME KATE, Rebecca Hillicker in THE LARAMIE PROJECT and the title role in Bizet’s CARMEN.

HAIRSPRAY the musical has been performed in many countries, including Argentina, Canada, China, Finland, Italy, Japan, the Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, and Switzerland.

In HAIRSPRAY it's 1962 - the '50s are out and change is in the air.  Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion--to dance.  She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity.  But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? 

HAIRSPRAY currently stars Marissa Perry as Tracy Turnblad, George Wendt as Edna Turnblad, Karen Mason as Velma Von Tussle, Tevin Campbell as Seaweed J. Stubbs,Charlotte Crossley as Motormouth Maybelle, Kate Loprest as Amber Von Tussle, Ken Marks as Wilbur Turnblad, Kevin Meaney as Male Authority Figure, Susan Mosher as Female Authority Figure, Constantine Rousouli as Link Larkin, Niki Scalera as Penny Pingleton, Clarke Thorell as Corny Collins and Melissa VanPelt as Inez.

For ticket information, phone Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100, or for group sales, phone 212-302-7000 or 800-677-1164.  HAIRSPRAY offers the ShowTrans system for foreign-speaking audience members in the following languages: French, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.  Same-day, lottery tickets are sold at the box office for seats in the first row of the orchestra.  For more information about Hairspray please consult the Hairspray website at www.hairsprayonbroadway.com.

Photos by Pablo Pimienta

Nikki Blonsky judges during the workshop!

Nikki Blonsky offers a student some great advice

The students gather around for a Q&A session with Nikki Blonsky!

Nikki Blonsky answers questions

Nikki Blonsky answers questions

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky