These workshops are perfect for individuals who are seriously interested in pursuing their craft in theatre. Students will get to learn directly from Broadway performers about auditioning for Broadway and the business behind Show Business for actors. They can be tailored to your group's level of experience – even for non-performers.
Business of the Business:
Taught by a leading New York City career coach, this session will give students the business skills for a successful career in theatre. The group will learn about audition procedures, agent submissions, head shots and resumes. The coach will also help students set personal goals and will select a few lucky students to experience a “cold” reading in a positive environment. (90 minute session)
Musical Theatre Audition:
(This workshop uses songs prepared by students ahead of time.)
Students will experience what an actual professional musical theatre audition is really like! Six to eight individual performers will get feedback on their prepared audition material from experienced Broadway professionals in a positive, constructive environment. Students will learn how to talk to the pianist and present their material effectively and professionally, while the entire group gains an understanding of what is necessary to achieve the best audition. (90 minute session)
Acting Audition:
The Acting Audition workshop gives students the knowledge of how important first impressions are when entering the audition room for the first time. This workshop will focus on the monologue, cold readings and stage presence. The session kicks-off with an interactive group activity, and then works on specific material focusing on making choices while in an audition situation. (90 minute workshop)
Open Call:
(This workshop uses material prepared by students ahead of time.)
Go through the Broadway auditioning process! Six to eight students from your class perform either a monologue or song (with sheet music for the pianist) for a Broadway director or casting director for constructive criticism in a positive environment. This is followed by a question and answer session with a Broadway performer who will sing and give you a peek into his/her own audition material for you. (90 minute session)
These workshops teach students the process of putting together a Broadway show. Learn about the choreography, music, and scene work involved. Perfect for performing groups and groups that want to try something new. They can be tailored to your group's level of experience.
Step by Step:
Students have the opportunity to experience many different Broadway dance styles. This session can be taught by a performer from the show the group is seeing and feature choreography from that show. Other options for this workshop include a professional dance audition or a specific type of dance (tap, modern, hip hop, etc). There is always time for questions, pictures and autographs! (90 minute session)
Musical Theatre Song and Move: This session is taught by Broadway performers from the show the group is seeing. Sheet music will be provided to the group, who will then work with two cast members and a pianist. The workshop recreates a true Broadway rehearsal with the students learning the choreography, staging, and music directly from the Broadway production they are seeing. (90 minute session)
Making Music:
Great for choral and vocal group! Students will learn techniques of vocal dynamics and acting through song while working with a Musical Director or Broadway performer on a piece of Broadway music. Explore the art of marrying music and drama to effectively achieve great emotional impact. Then, students have the opportunity to perform the piece they just learned along side a Broadway guest performer, followed by a question and answer session. (90 minute session)
Making a Scene:
Come prepared with a scene of your choice, or we’ll provide a script for your group. Professional actors will advise you on acting choices, vocal techniques and character development designed to encourage bold and creative acting choices. Working from a scripted scene, the focus in this workshop is on interpreting and bringing text to life in truthful, imaginative and specific ways. (90 minute session)
Stage Combat:
This workshop gets students on their feet to learn the secrets of simulated combat. Trained professionals take your students behind the scenes to discover how fights and combat are choreographed on stage. In this thrilling workshop, safety and collaboration are the focus of the session. Participants actively enjoy simulated combat during the entire class, and safely walk away learning some valuable techniques. (90 minute session)
These workshops teach your students about the “backstage” aspects of a Broadway show. These are perfect for all groups who would like to get a better insight into the creation of a theatrical production. They can be tailored to your group's level of experience.
Stage Makeup:
Through demonstrations applied to volunteers, your group will learn the basics of makeup application and effects-rendering from a professional makeup artist. This lecture-based class will show your group the correct technique of makeup application and give a bit of the history on why makeup is applied during live theatre. (90 minute session)
Costume Design:
Our Broadway costumer will take your group from design and draping to execution of the simplest shirts to elaborate stage-wear. You’ll see the actual sketches and finished costume photos. (90 minute session)
Broadway Close-Up (Q&A): This hour long talk back session gives your group the unique opportunity to talk one-on-one with two Broadway professionals about their journey to Broadway. You may request to include an actor, choreographer, lighting designer, producer, stage manager, costumer, prop master, or any other of the other professional careers from Broadway. Your group will have the chance to ask questions, hear backstage stories, and learn some of the tricks of the trade. (60 minute session)
*Does not include a performance*
These workshops are perfect for groups of any level. Focus is placed on quick thinking skills, creativity, and team work. They can be tailored to any group's level of experience.
Broadway 101:
This is the perfect introduction to Broadway, basic theatre, and creativity skills for students recently introduced to Broadway and theatre in general. Explore Broadway’s historical significance as well as the training process of a Broadway actor. Students start with physical and vocal warm-ups, followed by interactive focus/listening exercises and theatre games. (90 minute session)
Improvisation:
Students are actively participating during this fast-paced and fun session. After learning a few warm-ups, students then focus on team-building and listening skills. Quick thinking and creativity are put to the test in a series of interactive theatre games. (90 minute session)
Theatre Sports: This team-oriented collection of non-stop theatre games is perfect for active, high-energy groups! After physical and vocal warm-ups, students stay active through team-building and improvisational games designed to heighten focus, creativity and sensitivity to others. (90 minute session)
Theatre in Context:
Learn the historical and thematic context for your show and its literary source material. After physical and vocal warm-ups, students engage in scene-writing and improvisational exercises designed to illustrate the impact of place and time in theatre. (90 minute session)
Up Close and Personal: In this intimate one hour session, participants will have the opportunity to sit down and talk to a Broadway performer they will later see onstage in a Broadway show. This will include personal success stories, career moments, and insight into life as a performer. This workshop includes a private performance from the artist just for the group. (60 minute session)
Broadway Instrumental Clinic:
Place your students directly in the world of a Broadway pit musician, playing for Broadway’s best performers! Working with a Broadway musician, your students will sight read and prepare a special performance of a selected piece of Broadway music provided by Music Theatre International. After 90 minutes of work on the piece, your group will be joined by a Broadway performer who will discuss interpretation of the material and then perform it, accompanied by your students. (2 hour session)
NEW OPTION FOR 2007-08: Arrive with prepared material of your choice to perform for a Broadway musician, instead of sight reading and performing with a singer. The Broadway musician will then guest conduct, give constructive feedback, and help your students perform to the best of their abilities. Your group will be able to ask questions about playing in a Broadway pit, training, and how one makes the journey from playing an instrument for fun to becoming a professional musician.
Note: We will do our best to book all instrumental workshops at Carroll Studios. If by chance that we cannot book this space, we will notify you of the price change.
NEW FOR 2007-08! Show Choir Master Class:
In this session, your show choir will have the opportunity to perform their prepared pieces for a Broadway performer or musical director along with a choreographer. Using musical theatre techniques and expertise, they will help perfect your group’s pieces and give them constructive feedback and critique in a positive environment. There will also be opportunity for a question and answer session toward the end of the class. (2 hour session)
