Kimmel Center Partners With Broadway Dreams For Return Of Week-Long Musical Theater Intensive

For the 10th consecutive year, Broadway Dreams will partner with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts for the return of its annual Summer Intensive, running August 4 - August 12, 2018. Lead by an all-star roster of Broadway actors and industry professionals, Philadelphia artists will participate in a week-long intensive focusing on acting, vocal performance, and dance. The week will culminate in two public performances of THE HITS: Reimagined, a unique Broadway-style cabaret featuring Philadelphia-area students performing alongside their Broadway idols. The performances take place Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater.

"Providing vital arts education is a key part of our mission to serve this broad and diverse Philadelphia community," said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. "The Broadway Dreams summer intensive offers young artists an unparalleled learning experience on our Campus. It is an exclusive opportunity to work with a wide variety of Broadway stars and industry professionals."

Two-time Emmy Award nominee and Broadway veteran, Spencer Liff, will direct the Philadelphia engagement of THE HITS: Reimagined. Liff is currently represented on Broadway as the choreographer of the new Broadway musical comedy, Head Over Heels. The faculty will also include former American Idol and Broadway stars Diana DeGarmo (Hair) and Ace Young (Hair, Grease); Andrea Burns (On Your Feet, In the Heights); Christopher J. Hanke (How to Succeed..., Odd Mom Out); choreographer Victor J. Jackson (The Real Housewives of Atlanta); Philadelphia's own Rob McClure (Something Rotten, Honeymoon in Vegas, Chaplin); Ryann Redmond (Escape to Margaritaville); and Megan Sikora (Holiday Inn, Wicked).

A fast-paced and energetic revue, THE HITS: Reimagined features chart-topping musical favorites re-conceived for the stage by Broadway's brightest talents. Audiences will be treated to renditions of songs from hit musicals such as The Greatest Showman, On Your Feet, Mamma Mia, 9 to 5, and West Side Story, along with recognizable songs by popular recording artists and bands including Celine Dion, the Spice Girls, the Backstreet Boys, Miley Cyrus, Fun, and more.

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THE HITS: Reimagined
Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater
August 11, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and start at $21.00. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

Broadway Dreams, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization established in 2006, provides youth and young adults of all socioeconomic backgrounds with performance training, life skills building, and mentorship opportunities from the entertainment industry's most distinguished talents. Broadway Dreams seeks to empower aspiring young artists through performing arts training, with a focus on the acting, voice, and dance disciplines. Program intensives are offered nationally and internationally throughout the year. To date, over 12,000 students have participated, with over one million dollars ($1M) in financial needs-based scholarships. The organization takes great pride in guiding students through their professional journey as young artists; giving them the tools, support, and industry connections they need to succeed. Over the past several years, more than160 students have landed roles in Broadway, national touring and regional productions, including every company of the Tony Award-winning smash hit Hamilton, Frozen, Waitress, School of Rock - The Musical, The Color Purple, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, Miss Saigon, The Book of Mormon and more.

Broadway Dreams offers year-round programming in more than nine U.S. cities as well as Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, and Russia. The 2018 Summer Intensive Tour "The Hits Reimagined" will travel to Atlanta, New York City, Aspen, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Modesto, Calgary, and Toronto. Summer Intensive attendees will enjoy educational master classes and rehearsals, led by top industry professionals, in preparation for a Broadway style showcase at the end of the week, where they will have the unique ability to perform alongside their Broadway idols.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center's mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center Campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region's most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center's 2018-2019 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelcenter.org.

For more information on Broadway Dreams and to register for a Summer Intensive, please visit www.BroadwayDreams.org.

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