More than 60 local students study performing arts with acclaimed theater faculty during The Broadway Artists Intensive at the Kravis Center
(West Palm Beach, FL) – The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts recently hosted 65 students from throughout Palm Beach County and South Florida – and several from as far away as Texas and Arkansas – during The Broadway Artists Intensive, where they honed their song-and-dance skills and rubbed shoulders with renowned Broadway faculty.
The students, ranging in age from 12 to 20, represented all four corners of the county as well as the Treasure Coast and several other states. They practiced their craft during three weeks of workshops on acting, dancing and singing with some of Broadway’s most celebrated names, including Tony Award-winning actor Gary Beach (The Producers), Tony Award-winning director, John Rando (Urinetown the Musical) and Broadway Casting Director, Tara Rubin (Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys).
The Broadway Artists Intensive, sponsored by Kravis Center donor Marcie Gorman-Althof, was held from July 6-25 and culminated in a showcase performance for family and friends where the students performed scenes from On the Town and other hit Broadway shows.
Created by venerable Broadway performers Jason Gillman, Jackie Bayne Gillman and Greg Graham, The Broadway Artists Intensive classes are taught by an all-Broadway faculty, including “special guest artists.” Previous guest artists have included TV star and Tony Award-winner Christian Borle of NBC’s Smash, Tony-nominated actress Laura Bell Bundy, Emmy Award-winning and Broadway choreographer Josh Bergasse (On the Town, So You Think You Can Dance), Broadway casting director Nora Brennan (Matilda, Billy Elliot) and TV/film/Broadway casting director Justin Huff of Telsey and Company (Newsies, Kinky Boots).
Jason Gillman, a graduate of the University of Florida, starred opposite John Lithgow and Jonathan Pryce in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on Broadway. Gillman relocated to Jupiter, FL, with his wife and Broadway actress Jackie Bayne Gillman, who most recently was seen on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center.
“When my wife and I moved to the Palm Beach area, students would always ask us how we got to Broadway,“ noted Gillman. “The answer is simple: training, and more importantly, quality of training. We are so proud that our company The Broadway Artists Intensive can bring this kind of Broadway-caliber, high level experience to students who are searching for serious training. The program has been so successful, that we have students from across the country auditioning for a spot each summer. Partnering with the Kravis Center on this program is such a pleasure. The Kravis Center is a place Broadway professionals have been coming for years to perform. It just makes sense.”
For more than 20 years, the nonprofit Kravis Center for the Performing Arts has helped students of all ages fuel their imaginations and expand their lives through comprehensive arts education programs. Last season, more than 60,000 children from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties attended numerous performances through the Kravis Center S*T*A*R (Students and Teachers Arts Resource) Series. More than 3,000 adults attended ArtSmart continuing education classes and lectures – with topics ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Cuban folklore music.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with the Artistic Directors of The Broadway Artists Intensive to offer a high caliber performing arts summer program here at the Kravis Center for our career-track young artists,” said Tracy C. Butler, Kravis Center Director of Education. Butler’s son, Casey Butler, 12, has participated in The Broadway Artists Intensive and is now appearing in the role of George in Finding Neverland on Broadway.
Centrally located in West Palm Beach, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of the premier performing arts centers in the Southeast with a renowned national and international reputation. Established as a leading force in the social fabric of the community, its many outreach programs are as broad and varied as the community itself. To date, the Center has opened the door to the performing arts for approximately 2 million school children.
Students interested in auditioning for The Broadway Artists Intensive may call 561-651-4376 or visit www.TheBroadwayArtistsIntensive.com.