Sergio Trujillo Guests On ATW's Downstage Center 9/21

The American Theatre Wing has announced that choreographer Sergio Trujillo is the next guest on their popular interview show, "Downstage Center." Hosted by American Theatre Wing Executive Director Howard Sherman, "Downstage Center" features weekly in-depth interviews with the leading artists and professionals working on stage today. Trujillo's interview is available online and as a podcast beginning today (Monday, 9/21) through iTunes or an RSS feed. Click http://americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter to listen or subscribe.

Choreographer Sergio Trujillo talks about the development of the new Broadway musical Memphis and how the dance styles he employs in it draw upon research he'd already done for several other musicals. He also talks about his childhood in Colombia and how music was part of the country's daily life; his discovery, while studying science at the University of Toronto, of his love and aptitude for dancing; his journeyman years as a Broadway dancer in shows including Jerome Robbins' Broadway, the 1992 Guys and Dolls and Fosse; his transition into choreography at Canada's Stratford Festival and in London's West End; how he created dance moves for Jersey Boys when the original Four Seasons only stood and sang; why The Mambo Kings was vital to his career even though it was never seen in New York; his many collaborations with director Des McAnuff, including the 2009 Guys and Dolls -- where he took his inspiration not from Frank Loesser, but from Louis Prima; why his credit isn't "choreographer" on Next to Normal; his meticulous preparation, which includes already having all the choreography worked out for this spring's The Addams Family; and his plans for his directing debut in 2010 with Havana, and whether he thinks that will cause him to ultimately leave choreography behind.

The American Theatre Wing (Theodore S. Chapin, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Howard Sherman, Executive Director) is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. In addition to "Downstage Center," The Wing sponsors many activities, all dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre. These programs include "Working in the Theatre," a weekly television program on CUNY TV which gathers panels of theater artists to discuss their crafts; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants program for New York City not-for-profit theatre companies, which has awarded nearly $3 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC; and the Jonathan Larson® Grants, given annually to honor emerging composers, lyricists and book writers. Visitors to americantheatrewing.org can listen to archive episodes of "Downstage Center," all as free, on-demand streaming audio and podcast and can view or download an archive of "Working in the Theatre" episodes.

For additional information about "Downstage Center" and all American Theatre Wing programs, go to americantheatrewing.org. You can also find the American Theatre Wing on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TheAmericanTheatreWing) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheWing).

Photo credit Walter McBride