Photo Flash: Michael Cerveris & More at Broadway Artists Alliance

Broadway Artists Alliance, the dynamic not-for-profit educational organization that is quickly gaining a reputation for ensuring the future of great Broadway talent by bringing together Broadway artists and promising young performers, presented their annual Winter Musical Theatre Workshop February 14th through 16th. Michael Cerveris, currently starring in Hedda Gabler, surprised the students with a visit. Seth Rudetsky moderated the Q&A.

70 select students ages 10 to 21, hailing from all across the US and Canada, took part in an intensive 3-day advanced musical theatre workshop in the heart of New York City. Instructors for the Workshop included BAA's Assistant Director TyRick Jones (Hairspray), Michelle Kittrell (Legally Blonde, Footloose, etc.), Steven Lutvak (Kind Hearts and Coronets), Bob Cline (Bob Cline Casting), Holly Anne Ruggiero (Jersey Boys resident director), Celeste Simone (vocal coach), Cameron Adams (Shrek), Lou Castro (13), Seth Rudetsky (Chatterbox, Playbill.com), Cara Kjellman (Billy Elliot), Alexander Gemignani (Les Miserables, Sunday in the Park...), AC Ciulla (Footloose), Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot, Vanities), Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages), as well as special industry guest casting directors and agents. The weekend ended with an Industry Panel and Final Showcase during which the students had the unique opportunity to showcase their talent for top NY industry such as Telsey & Co., Jim Carnahan Casting, Mark Simon Casting, The Carson/Adler Agency, Nickelodeon Casting, Sinclair Management, Megan Larche Casting, Bob Cline Casting, Michael Cassara Casting, The Kolstein Talent Agency, and Dave Clemons Casting.

Additional upcoming Broadway Artists Alliance One-Day Master Classes feature special guest instructors from Broadway's Shrek, West Side Story, Guys & Dolls, Billy Elliot, and Spring Awakening.

Broadway Artists Alliance also hosts a 2-week Summer Musical Theatre Intensive and a 3-day Summer Workshop in New York City. Although space is limited, all master classes and summer events are open to returning and new students ages 10-21. Interested young performers are welcome to visit www.broadwayartistsalliance.org to apply for upcoming master classes and other Broadway Artists Alliance events. Admission is select, and by Audition Only. Potential participants compete for a chance study and perform with the masters this summer as BAA's 15 city National Audition Tour began in October and continues through April 12, 2009.

Cerveris joins a roster that includes Jason Robert Brown, Stephen Schwartz, Marc Shaiman, Jonathan Groff, Sutton Foster, Lea Salonga, Beth Leavel, John Lloyd Young, John Gallagher Jr., Ashley Brown, Megan McGinnis, Michelle Federer, Lea Michele, Norbert Leo Butz, Kelli O'Hara, Norm Lewis, Morgan Karr, Skylar Astin, Stacie Morgain Lewis, Susan Blackwell, Andrea Martin, and Laura Benanti. For applications, national audition information, and more information about Broadway Artists Alliance, please visit www.broadwayartistsalliance.org

Photos by Laura McBride