Paper Mill Playhouse Hosts Student Auditions

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce auditions for its 2011 Summer Professional Training Programs for talented young performers ages 10 to 18.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs represent the ultimate opportunity - a chance for students to take their skills to the next level, while gaining the self-discipline and work ethic that will serve them throughout their entire career. Students will participate in demanding classes in singing, acting, auditioning, dance, and a series of guest artist workshops led by professional actors, directors and casting agents. Paper Mill Playhouse's programs build professional skills - so if you have the passion, talent, and drive it takes to be a performer, then Paper Mill Playhouse has the program for you.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs are comprised of two tracks: the five-week Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory held in July, or the three-week August Musical Theatre Intensive. To qualify for the programs, every student - including returning performers - must audition. Student tryouts are judged for vocal skill, dance ability, personality and song interpretation skills (acting through your song). Students will be placed in a program based on their auditions.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory (June 27 to July 30, 2011) offers the unique opportunity for gifted and talented young performers, ages 10 to 18, to work at their own level and challenge themselves to achieve new goals and learn new skills. The Conservatory is grouped into three companies, allowing each student to work on material that is appropriate for their age and skill level. This five-week program of rigorous study allows students to enhance their individual performance potential while also developing a broad base of theatre experience and knowledge. The Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory classes and workshops will be held at Kean University in Union, New Jersey in cooperation with the Department of Theater and its resident Equity theatre company, Premiere Stages.

The end of the Conservatory month is devoted to rehearsals for the NEW VOICES CONCERT, performed annually on the Paper Mill Playhouse Stage. Industry professionals are invited and attend the New Voices Concert. The theme of the 2011 News Voices Concert is "I'll Take Manhattan", a look Broadway's love affair with its hometown. The New Voices of 2011 concert will take place on July 29 & 30 on the main stage at Paper Mill Playhouse. Tickets go on sale March 1, 2011 at the Paper Mill Box Office (973) 376-4343 or on www.papermill.org.

Here's what some industry professionals had to say about last year's New Voice's Concert:

"The kids were great, the show was fun and entertaining, and the material was tailored so that each child shone. Well done!" - Nora Brennan, Nora Brennan Casting, Children's Casting Director - BILLY ELLIOT

"What an amazing group of kids you trained this summer! I haven't enjoyed a showcase so thoroughly in a very long time and was so glad that I had a chance to attend." - Victoria Kress
Youth Agent, Don Buchwald & Associates

Paper Mill Playhouse's August Musical Theatre Intensive (August 8 to 26, 2011) allows performers between the ages of 10 and 16 to build individual technique and learn about themselves as performers, explore their own abilities and refine their skills. Like the July Conservatory, admission to the August Intensive is by audition only. Intensive students do not perform in the New Voices Concert, rather, the Intensive classes prepare a musical theatre showcase for family and friends in the Black Box Theatre at Paper Mill Playhouse. This allows our faculty to focus on strengthening skills and building self confidence in a non-competitive environment. Accepted students are placed in one of two sessions according to age. The small class size in each session allows for individual attention and instruction from the faculty.

AUDITION INFORMATION:
For young people who are truly serious about the performing arts, Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs are exactly what you need to elevate your craft, but in order to be a part of this elite group, you must audition.

AUDITION DATES: Saturday, February 5, 2011 & Saturday, February 12, 2011

AUDITION LOCATION: Kean University Wilkins Theatre, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union NJ 07083

Auditions are not open calls and an appointment is required. To schedule an audition appointment call (973) 379-3636, EXT. 2133

VOCAL AUDITION
Prospective students should select a portion of a song from a musical of approximately 32 bars (no more than one verse and chorus) that best demonstrates your vocal range, musicality, interpretive skills and acting ability. Bring sheet music in a binder or single sheets taped together that contain full piano accompaniment, not just chord symbols. An accompanist will be provided. Students may not perform a cappella or to an audio recording. This audition is your only chance to impress our faculty. Make sure you are well-rehearsed and prepared.

DANCE AUDITION
Everyone will be asked to dance. Students will be taught a dance combination which will then
be performed in small groups. Evaluation will be based on skill, potential and the ability to
learn the routine. For full audition instructions, including downloadable form, go to www.PaperMill.org. Please wear or bring suitable footwear for your dance audition.

IMPORTANT AUDITION INFORMATION:
Students who are not prepared or who arrive without sheet music may not be allowed to audition. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time to allow for paperwork and photography. To save time, download the forms from our website at www.PaperMill.org: Education/Summer Conservatory/Auditions and fill them out and bring them with you. All students must bring one (1) document proving age and identification (i.e. copy of: birth certificate, student report card, student ID, passport). Parents will not be permitted in the audition room. Digitally recorded auditions are accepted only for prospective students who live out of state. Submissions must contain a singing performance of a Broadway song with accompaniment and a dance combination (ballet, jazz or tap) performed to music.

Featured performers in past Conservatory New Voices concerts have gone on to take the entertainment industry by storm! Academy Award® nominee Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married," "The Devil Wears Prada"), Tony® winner Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and TV star Paul Iacono (MTV's "The Hard Times of RJ Berger") all got their start on the famous Paper Mill Playhouse stage. Our alumni appear on Broadway, in National Tours and in television and films.

Here are just a few of their accomplishments:

Laura Benanti.................... 2008 Tony AwardÒ winner for GYPSY, Broadway's INTO THE WOODS, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE WEDDING SINGER, SWING!
Anne Hathaway................. 2009 Academy Award nominee RACHEL GETTING MARRIED; THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and Disney's THE PRINCESS DIARIES
Paul Iacono........................ Star of MTV series "The Hard Times of RJ Berger", 2009 MGM Films remake of "FAME, Paper Mill's MAME
Matthew Scott................... Broadway's JERSEY BOYS, A CATERED AFFAIR, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM
Jonathan Schwartz............. Broadway's SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK (Peter Parker understudy), Off Broadway's THE FANTASTIKS, TV Series "The Amazing Race"
Julia Knitel......................... Broadway's BYE, BYE BIRDIE
Alison Strong..................... Broadway's BYE, BYE BIRDIE
Veronica J. Kuehn............. Broadway's MAMMA MIA! and XANADU National Tour LEGALLY BLONDE
Robert McClure................. Broadway and National Tour's AVENUE Q (Princeton/Rod)
Eric Schneider.................... Broadway's JERSEY BOYS, National Tour THE FULL MONTY, Off-Broadway's ALTAR BOYZ and Paper Mill's Happy Days, A NEW MUSICAL
Constantine Rousouli.......... Broadway's HAIRSPRAY (Link), National Tour LEGALLY BLONDE, Paper Mill's HAIRSPRAY
Neil McCaffrey.................. Broadway's MARY POPPINS (Michael Banks), BYE, BYE BIRDIE (Randolph MacAfee), BILLY ELLIOT (Michael)
Frank Dolce....................... Broadway's BILLY ELLIOT (Michael), Miramax film "Doubt", TV series: "Sons of Tucson", Paper Mill's A WONDERFUL LIFE
Daniel Marconi.................. Broadway's MARY POPPINS (Michael Banks), Paper Mill's A WONDERFUL LIFE
Elizabeth Egan Gillies.......... Broadway's 13! THE MUSICAL, Niceklodeon TV Series "Victorious"
Jared Gertner..................... Broadway's THE BOOK OF MORMON, Broadway's THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (William Barfee) and Paper Mill's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Seymour)
Monette McKay................. Broadway's MEMPHIS, Broadway & National Tour of MAMMA MIA!
Nikki M. James.................. Broadway's THE BOOK OF MORMON, Broadway's ALL SHOOK UP
Leah Greenhaus................. Broadway's SHREK THE MUSICAL (Young Fiona) and Paper Mill's MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS
Antonio D'Amato............... Broadway's Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Ben Liebert........................ Broadway & National Tour of WICKED (Boq)
Renee Marino.................... Broadway's WEST SIDE STORY (Anita understudy), National Tour of JERSEY BOYS
Christine Danelson............. National Tour of HAIRSPRAY; Paper Mill's HAIRSPRAY
Krista Pioppi...................... National Tour of SPRING AWAKENING, Paper Mill's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Natalie Weiss..................... Broadway's EVERYDAY RAPTURE; National Tour & Paper Mill's LES MISÉRABLES
Erica Cenci........................ National Tour of A CHORUS LINE
Tim Hackney..................... National Tour of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
Matthew Ban..................... National Tour of SPAMALOT
Sarah Mugavero................. National Tour of MAMMA MIA!
Jelani Remy....................... National Tour of DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL; Las Vegas Company THE LION KING (Simba)
Emily Sheppard.................. National Tour of Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Carly Maitlin...................... National Tour of Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Barry Cavanaugh............... National Tour of PETER PAN with Cathy Rigby (John Darling)
Erik Ransom...................... Off Broadway's MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING
Ryan Malyar...................... New York City Center Encores' NO, NO NANETTE
Ali Stroker......................... Paper Mill's THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Victoria Meade.................. Paper Mill's DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Allison Brutofski................. Paper Mill's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Voice of animated character Piper O'Possum on Nickelodeon
Jordan Barrow................... Paper Mill's THE MIRACLE WORKER, PETER PAN
Zach Infante...................... Paper Mill's PETER PAN
Kathryn Raskin.................. Paper Mill's RAGTIME and PETER PAN
Josh Pins........................... Paper Mill's PETER PAN (Michael Darling)
Daisy Hobbs...................... Paper Mill's CINDERELLA
Lael Van Keuren............... Broadway's SISTER ACT, Paper Mill's CINDERELLA & HELLO, DOLLY!
Justin Bollero..................... Paper Mill's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Matthew Capodicasa.......... Paper Mill's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Adrian Arrieta.................... Paper Mill's DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, PETER PAN
Kyle McLaughlin................ Paper Mill's RAGTIME and SUMMER AND SMOKE
Marissa Malanga................ Paper Mill's A WONDERFUL LIFE
Ereni Hrousis Sevasti.......... Paper Mill's THE SOUND OF MUSIC and The Kennedy Center's CARNIVAL
Jacob Shalov...................... TV series "Knights of Prosperity" (featured role)
Sarah Marable................... TV series "Gossip Girl" - several appearances
Allison Siko........................ recurring role on "LAW & ORDER: SVU" (Kathleen Stabler)
Samantha Futerman............ Sony Pictures' "MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA" (featured role)

Auditions are not open calls and an appointment is required. To schedule an audition appointment call (973) 379-3636, EXT. 2133

The Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and New Voices 2011 are generously supported by the Investors Savings Bank Foundation, The Ambrose & Ida Fredrickson Foundation, and The Bloomingdale's Fund of the Macy's Foundation. Additional major funding for Paper Mill Playhouse Education Outreach is provided by The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and MetLife Foundation.

Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theatres. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by generous contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.