Acting Program SpringboardNYC Taking Applications

The American Theatre Wing's SpringboardNYC, an intensive summer boot camp for actors, is now seeking applications for the 2007 summer program, (June 4 to 15), limited to 35 participants. For the first time, the American Theatre Wing will award multiple scholarships to accepted students in need.

Complete information is online at www.americantheatrewing.org.

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.

Now in its sixth 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.Information packages have been sent to university theatre programs and career development centers nationwide; last year alone, two dozen universities and colleges from 17 states across the country were represented.

"We are hopeful that with the introduction of a need-based scholarship program for SpringboardNYC, that we will be able to bring more of the best, brightest, most passionate, focused and talented aspiring theatre artists to New York and introduce them to the community", said Howard Sherman, executive director of the American Theatre Wing.

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 a variety of key "behind the scenes" players. General managers, press agents, company managers, and those in all aspects of commercial and non-profit theatre, give participants a working vocabulary and understanding of the world into which they're entering.

Participating mentors and speakers have included actors Cynthia Nixon (Rabbit Hole), Raul Esparza (COMPANY), Paul Rudd (Three Days of Rain), Neil Patrick Harris (Assassins), Michael Emerson (Lost, Gross Indecency); directors Lonny Price ("Master Harold"... and the boys), John Rando (The Wedding Singer, Urinetown), and Leigh Silverman (Well); composers Jason Robert Brown (Last Five Years, Parade) and Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx (Avenue Q); and musical directors Seth Rudetsky (BC/EFA Concerts Dreamgirls, HAIR), Mary-Mitchell Campbell (COMPANY, Sweeney Todd) and Kimberly Grigsby (The Light in the Piazza, Caroline, or Change); choreographers/dancers Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wedding Singer) and Suzie Misner (Chicago) and producers Jordan Roth (Jujamcyn) and Bernard Gersten (LCT).

SpringboardNYC is led by Randy Ellen Lutterman, who founded the program at Musical Theatre Works.

The American Theatre Wing is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with the League of American Theatres and Producers.  The Wing's other activities, dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre, include its "Working in the Theater", now in their 27th year of telecasts on CUNY TV in New York and on other national cable outlets; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants and scholarship program to New York City schools and not-for-profit theatre companies, which has awarded more than $2.5 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; Visitors to www.americantheatrewing.org can view an archive of "Working in the Theatre" and the career guides and listen to "Downstage Center", all as free, on-demand streaming audio and video.

Sondra Gilman is Chairman of the Board of the American Theatre Wing; Doug Leeds is President of the Board and Howard Sherman is Executive Director.