American Theatre Wing's Summer Boot Camp for Actors Now Accepting Applications

The American Theatre Wing's SpringboardNYC, an intensive summer boot camp for actors, is now accepting applications for this summer's program, taking place June 5th - 16th and limited to 40 participants.

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 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. Information packages have been sent to university theatre programs and career development centers nationwide; last year alone, more than 23 universities and colleges from 15 states across the country were represented.

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're entering.

Past mentors and speakers have included Harold Prince, Raul Esparza, Graciela Daniele, Billy Crudup, Randy Graff, Jefferson Mays, Lonny Price, Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx, and Jason Robert Brown. SpringboardNYC is led by Randy Ellen Lutterman, former executive director of Musical Theatre Works.

The 2005 SpringboardNYC program will run from June 5-16, 2006. For program information, as well as application materials, call (212) 765-0606 ext. 307, or visit the website: www.americantheatrewing.org.

American Theatre Wing is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to education and excellence in the theatre. Sondra Gilman is the chairman of the board of directors, Doug Leeds is president, and Howard Sherman is executive director. In addition to creating and awarding the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards, ATW's programs include the long-running "Working in the Theatre" Seminars; a grants and scholarship program for New York not-for-profit theatre companies and theatre students; the Theatre Intern Group, a social and career development network for young professionals; and "Downstage Center," a weekly theatrical interview show on XM Satellite Radio. All of ATW's seminars and interviews are available, for free, from the company's website - www.americantheatrewing.org.