Victoria Clark, Jeanine Tesori and Bartlett Sher to Lead Master Classes at City Center

New York City Center's new series of musical theater masterclasses, Front and Center: Learning from the Masters, provides a unique opportunity for audience members to observe distinguished artists working with emerging professionals.

Held in City Center's intimate studios, these sessions provide an opportunity to watch a trio of Tony Award-winning theater veterans-actress Victoria Clark, composer Jeanine Tesori, and director Bartlett Sher-as they coach artists on skills such as directing, composition, and the synthesis of vocal technique and acting.

Artists wishing to participate in Victoria Clark and Jeanine Tesori's classes should submit an online application at www.nycitycenter.org. Submissions for Clark's class include two contrasting songs, a resume, and a brief questionnaire to be completed by Oct 24. Submissions for Tesori's class include two prior work samples of previously written musical theater songs to be submitted by Dec 19.

Individuals wishing to attend as observers can purchase tickets for $25 at www.nycitycenter.org, by calling CityTix at 212.581.1212, or in person at the City Center Box Office. Front and Center takes place in New York City Center's Studio 5 (130 West 56th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue).

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Front and Center: Learning from the Masters:

Nov 21, 6:30PM
Victoria Clark teaches a master class designed to unlock the connection between text and songs from the musical theater canon while having an eye toward vocal technique. Using games, exercises, and techniques that inspire the imagination and freedom to play, Clark will lead students on a journey to explore their own unique creativity and originality.

Jan 23, 6:30PM
Jeanine Tesori's composition master class is designed for emerging musical theater composers and lyricists. Tesori will give the same assignment to two young writers: adapt a news article from the past year into a musical theater song, based deeply in character and story. She will examine song structure, musical embodiment of character, and the process from source to song. This workshop will provide participants and observers with a look into how stories from the world around us translate onto the stage and become musicalized. Audience members are also encouraged to bring an article that resonates with them to the class.

Feb 27, 6:30PM
Bartlett Sher: Reasons to Go Places
In Bartlett Sher's directing class, designed for emerging theater directors, Sher will offer snapshots of the layered and complex art of interpretation. Elements of the art of directing will be explored in approaches to verse, design, movement, and realization. Vigorous audience participation is expected.

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New York City Center (Arlene Shuler, President & CEO) has played a defining role in the cultural life of the city since 1943. It was Manhattan's first performing arts center, dedicated by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia with a mission to make the best in music, theater, and dance accessible to all audiences. Today, City Center is home to many distinguished companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, City Center's Principal Dance Company, as well as Manhattan Theatre Club; a roster of renowned national and international visiting artists; and its own critically acclaimed and popular programs. The Tony?honored Encores! musical theater series has been hailed as "one of the very best reasons to be alive in New York." In summer 2013, City Center launched Encores! Off?Center, a series that features landmark Off?Broadway musicals filtered through the lens of today's most innovative artists. Dance has been integral to the theater's mission from the start-and dance programs, including the annual Fall for Dance Festival, remain central to City Center's identity. Vital partnerships with arts organizations including Jazz at Lincoln Center and London's Sadler's Wells Theatre enhance City Center's programmatic offerings. City Center brings dance and musical theater to over 9,000 New York City students each year through its robust education program, and other learning opportunities are offered to seniors, families, and the general public. City Center is expanding its programming beyond the proscenium and activating its alternative spaces with pre?show talks, master classes, exhibitions of visual art, and intimate performances that give an up?close look at the work of the great theater and dance artists of our time. In October 2011, City Center completed an extensive renovation project to revitalize and modernize its historic theater.