ATW's SpringboardNYC 'Boot Camp' Runs Through June 16

The American Theatre Wing's SpringboardNYC, an intensive summer boot camp for actors, began its fifth season yesterday. The intensive will last through June16.

"A concentrated pre-professional training course for college students planning careers in the theatre, SpringboardNYC provides the job-seeking skills, insight into the business of theatre, and the urban survival tools necessary to translate academic training into a productive career," state press notes. "Now in its fifth year, SpringboardNYC's innovative programming supports early career professionals who come from around the country to immerse themselves in this college-to-career transition program. This year, 35 students from 17 schools in 17 states are attending."

The rigorous curriculum includes a series of workshops, seminars, master classes and field trips that place participants in the center of New York's theatrical community and provide access to influential working artists. Workshop subjects include resume development; interview technique; audition technique (monologue, cold reading, and on-camera); and a mock open call, authentically replicating the process of a high-pressure audition. Accompanied by real-life evaluations by working professionals, these workshops give participants a competitive edge as they launch their own careers.

Informational sessions are held with the variety of key "behind the scenes" players. General managers, press agents, company managers, and others - in all aspects of commercial and non-profit theatre, give the participants the working vocabulary and understanding of the world into which they are entering.

Participating mentors and speakers include Cynthia Nixon (Rabbit Hole), Paul Rudd (Three Days of Rain), Neil Patrick Harris (Assassins), Michael Emerson (Lost, Gross Indecency) and directors Lonny Price ("Master Harold"… and the boys), John Rando (The Wedding Singer), and Leigh Silverman (Well).

SpringboardNYC is led by Randy Ellen Lutterman, former executive director of Musical Theatre Works.

The 2006 SpringboardNYC program runs from June 5-16, 2006. For program information, call (212) 765-0606 ext. 307, or visit the website: www.americantheatrewing.org.