Marty Thomas, Leslie McDonel, and Chip Abbott Announces as Civic Center Camp Instructors

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines announced today three established Broadway performers will act as instructors in the Civic Center's first musical theater camp of the summer, STAGERIGHT BROADWAY EXPERIENCE taking place June 27-July 1 at the Civic Center.

Marty Thomas (WICKED, XANADU), Leslie McDonel (AMERICAN IDIOT), and Chip Abbott (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, WEST SIDE STORY) will coach students on the skills necessary to become a triple threat in musical theater. The camp is open to students age 14 to 19 with a passion for performing.

STAGERIGHT BROADWAY EXPERIENCE
June 27-July 1, 2011
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday to Thursday) and 11 a.m. to finale on Friday

Find out if the stage is right for you in this intensive musical theater experience led by Broadway professionals! Three Broadway performers- taking the roles of acting coach, music director, and choreographer- will lead a series of master classes on the triple threat skills of musical theater. Sing, dance, and act your way through a week which also features audition techniques, professional headshots, and once-in-a-lifetime networking. To wrap it all up, a Friday evening showcase for family and friends gives you the opportunity to put your hard work and new skills in the spotlight!

STAGERIGHT BROADWAY EXPERIENCE is open to teens ages 14-19 (must be entering at least ninth grade fall 2011) who are highly interested in musical theater. Auditions are not required to participate; however, previous training or experience is necessary. Each participant is also expected to prepare one to two songs for the week.

Fee: $375 ($350 for Civic Center Members)

The fee includes all camp activities, lunch, and snack each day. A limited number of scholarships will be available based on need. To register or for more information, please visit CivicCenter.org

INSTRUCTORS:

Marty Thomas
Marty Thomas is a Grammy-nominated recording artist and a veteran Broadway actor. He made his Broadway debut at age 11 in THE SECRET GARDEN and also performed in WICKED and the original company of XANADU. He was the 1992 Ed McMahons Junior Vocalist Star Search Champion, beating out a then unknown Britney Spears. He has appeared on the Tony Awards, the Tonight Show, the Today Show, The View, Entertainment Tonight, Talk Soup and more. He has performed alongside Patti LaBelle, Whoopi Goldberg, Idina Menzel, Kristen Chenoweth, Deborah Gibson, Vanessa Williams, Lea Michelle, Tabatha Coffey, Grace Jones, Billy Porter, Stephanie J. Block, Joel Grey, Rue McClanahan and many more. Marty has performed aboard cruise ships and in concert and cabaret venues around the world, as well as holding a weekly residency in some of New York's most celebrated nightclubs.

Leslie McDonel
Leslie McDonel spent the last year as a member of the original Broadway cast of AMERICAN IDIOT with performances at the Grammys, the Tonys, Monday Night Football halftime show, America's Got Talent, and numerous talk shows. Previously, she appeared on Broadway in "Hairspray". She has also toured the country with LEGALLY BLONDE and HAIRSPRAY (both came to Des Moines!) Favorite Regional credits include Velma Kelly in CHICAGO, Marty in GREASE, and Julia in TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA THE MUSICAL. Leslie holds a BFA in Musical Theater from the New School University in NYC and studied acting with the late, great Fred Kareman at Carnegie Hall.

Chip Abbott
Chip Abbott is a New York City based choreographer, and dancer with a degree in dance performance from Oklahoma City University. Chip recently performed at the Kennedy Center's celebration of Roger L. Stevens with host Liza Minnelli, and special appearances by Ben Vereen, and Andre Mcardle. Other credits include: The 101 DALMATIANS (Original Cast, 1st National. Dance Captain), HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL (Dance Captain), WEST SIDE STORY (A-Rab), David Yazbek's RUCKUS MANHATTAN (NY workshop), NEVER GONNA' DANCE (Rome-Tone,) and 42nd STREET (Andy US). Chip danced with River North Chicago Dance Company, the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company and the New York City based Chase Brock Experience. He is so fortunate to not only travel the world as a performer, but as a teacher and choreographer as well. Chip was an artist is residency at University of Central Oklahoma and has taught master classes at OCU, University of Tulsa, The School of Performing arts in Chicago, and Northeast School of the Arts in San Antonio.

The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines is a private not-for-profit corporation celebrating over 30 years of presenting the performing arts to Iowa and the surrounding states. It is the presenter of major Broadway and educational touring companies, performers and groups, and is the performing home of many local and regional groups, including the Des Moines Symphony and StageWest. All performances of the Broadway Series are supported by Willis Auto Campus. All performances at the Civic Center's Temple Theater are supported by Prairie Meadows. All performances of the Family Series are supported by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.