Usdan to Offer 'Craft of Broadway' Workshop in Sept.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts will present a unique new program of study - "Summer in September" - a weekend of intensive workshops on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17. 

The four workshops will be: "Essay Writing" for high school students, to improve college-admission prospects; "The Craft of Broadway" for aspiring high school stage actors, consisting of a day of study on Broadway; "Advanced Audition Workshop" for conservatory-bound musicians; and "A Day Of Chess," for elementary through high school chess enthusiasts.

Dale Lewis, Usdan Center's Executive Director, created the program and says "Usdan's wonderful faculty and beautiful campus are assets that we wish to share with young people throughout the New York metropolitan area. The new program focuses on the needs of teenagers as they move into their college and conservatory careers, and also on all young people who love the challenge of chess. Although the program is open to all, it will additionally enable Usdan students to rekindle friendships with others who also love the arts."

Specialists in their respective fields will teach each course.  A full brochure with course descriptions and faculty listings is available in the Usdan Center Administration Building (or can be viewed online)  All classes except the Sunday session of "The Craft of Broadway" will be held at Usdan Center, 185 Colonial Springs Road in Wheatley Heights, Long Island.

"The Craft of Broadway" will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17.  Saturday classes as Usdan -- Sunday classes at a Broadway studio and at the Marquis Theater.  "This two-day music-theater intensive provides aspiring professionals with an in-depth understanding of 'The Business of Show Business.'  Students will see, as insiders, the working lives of prominent Broadway actors.  the course is presented as a Usdan collaboration with the theater education company Moveable Arts, a collective of prominent Broadway professionals including actors, producers, musical director and casting specialists," state press notes.

"The course emphasis will be audition technique and presentation, with students learning this craft, and then presenting mock auditions for comment by the Movable Arts faculty.  Through master classes, individual audition training and Q&A with well-known Broadway actors, students will learn performance technique, song interpretation and will have a chance to ask questions of those who call Broadway their home.  The weekend culminates in an optional visit to the hit new musical The Drowsy Chaperone, followed by an on-stage discussion with the cast." Tuition, bus, show, and certificate of completion are $495.00.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, called by Time Magazine "One of the most unique camps in America," has "introduced the visual and performing arts to more than 40,000 young people ages 6 to 18 for almost 40 years.  Located on a magnificent 200-scre woodland setting in Huntington, Long Island, it is annually attended by almost 1800 students from throughout the Tri-State Area, many on scholarship, transported to the Center daily by more than 120 buses.  Although the Center is open to all, with no audition needed for most courses, its unique stimulation has caused many to go on to arts careers, and among the alumni are singers Mariah Carey and Jane Monheit, and actor Natalie Portman."

For information and registration, call Usdan Center at (631) 643-7900, or visit www.usdan.com.