Jun 23

Written by: Theatre Under The Stars
6/23/2010 4:14 PM

I’ve always been a huge supporter of blossoming talent, especially for those hoping to live out their dreams in the field of performing arts. Imagine my surprise and joy when I discovered former TUTS intern, Monica Brown, was accepted into the American Theatre Wing’s SpringboardNYC program! I immediately emailed her to see if she would share her experience with my readers. After spending two weeks in NYC receiving top-of-the-line training from Broadway’s best, she graciously shares her “dream come true” story with us. 

Hello TUTS family! I am Monica Brown, a recent graduate of Sam Houston State University with a B.F.A in Musical Theatre and a former TUTS intern. While at TUTS I appeared in Meet Me In St. Louis, The Sound of Music and production assisted with 13. I just got back from New York City where I was a part of American Theatre Wing's SpringboardNYC program. Springboard NYC is a two week intensive boot camp program designed for recent college graduates and juniors who are interested in a career in theatre. The audition process involved sending in two performances (one up-tempo and one ballad) via YouTube, a personal statement on why Springboard is a fit for you, a teacher recommendation, and general application information. Along with that, I filled out scholarship paperwork which included a statement of need, financial aid history, and history of other aid. I was extremely lucky enough to receive a generous scholarship made possible by American Theatre Wing and only had to pay a portion of the tuition.

SpringboardNYC accepts 35 students from hundreds of applicants across the country. The program is divided into half general performance and half musical theatre students as well as one directing candidate. Each day started at about 9:30am and finished around 6pm with a dinner break and then a Broadway show and most nights a talkback with the cast. Every day was filled with master classes, Q & A's and workshops from the industry's top casting directors, agents, directors, actors, and choreographers. We learned everything from resume building, networking, how to perfect your 16 bar cut, the best neighborhoods in the city, and everything in between.   Some of the mentors we got to work with included David Caparelliotis (MelCap Casting), Carl Forsman(The Keen Company), Dani Super(Super Casting), Stephen McKinley Henderson(Tony Nominated Actor for Fences), John Ruocco (Director), Seth Rudetsky (Musical Director/Writer/Performer), Katie Finneran (Tony Winner for Promises, Promises), Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Tony Nominee Best Director for Ragtime), Sherie Renee Scott (Tony Nominee Actress for Everyday Rapture), and Jerry Zaks (Tony Winning Director), just to name a few. The opportunities given to us were tremendous and everyday was a new adventure and chance to soak in every bit of information and advice and become a better performer as well as person.

We got to see American Idiot, Red, Memphis, Promises, Promises, Our Town, and Everyday Rapture and had talk backs with almost all of those casts. Along with getting to see a variety of theatre including musicals, plays, and revivals we also had the privilege of seeing the Tony Awards Dress Rehearsal, where we sat in the orchestra pit, might I add! The moment I stepped into Radio City Music Hall, I knew show business is what I am meant to do with my life. We had the cast of La Cage Aux Folles perform right in front of us, Catherine Zeta Jones sang "Send in the Clowns" a few feet from us, and Bernadette Peters was so close we could see the bobby pins in her curls. Unforgettable is the word that comes to mind when I think of that day. I have watched the Tony's my whole life and to be there was simply unforgettable. To have your dream come true right in front of your eyes and be in a room with Broadway actors you admire and peers who love theatre just as much as you do, is magical.

The experience changed my life. I now know that New York City is definitely the place for me and if I don't try to pursue my dream no one else will. At Springboard, I learned that all I can do is be the best me I can be, be knowledgeable about the industry and go on my own path wherever that may take me. SpringboardNYC's Director Randy Lutterman helped me tremendously. From the moment I received the call of my acceptance into the program, I knew we were going to be peas in a pod. She was always helpful and informative and was everyone's cheerleader along the way. She taught us to love and embrace the qualities that make us who we are, and that in itself is invaluable. I could not have asked for a better mentor and friend, and to know that I have someone on my side and whose advice I take to heart is more than comforting, it's unbelievable.

The American Theatre Wing has always been a part of young people's lives through the programs, blogs, and telecasts they have helped steer, and with the SpringboardNYC program they gave me the best gift of all; the gift of good theatre, good friends, and the go ahead to pursue my dreams and thrive in musical theatre. Where else can you find a program in New York City that gives you heaps of information, handfuls of friends, and mentors you can call on, on your journey into the industry? I am moving to NYC in a few months and have so many tools that will help me succeed in the theatre world to network. I am now prepared for whatever may come my way. If you are an upcoming senior or junior I encourage you, in fact, I urge you, to look into American Theatre Wing's SpringboardNYC program.  You will fall in love with it and never be the same. I know I did.

Thanks Monica for sharing your amazing experience with us! So readers, what did you think of Monica’s story?  Do you have a “dream come true” theatre story to share? Are you a college student looking into SpringboardNYC now?

Until next time,
Thea

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