American Theatre Wing to Offer Scholarships for Its SpringboardNYC Acting Program

The American Theatre Wing's SpringboardNYC, an intensive summer boot camp for young actors, will offer scholarships to accepted students in need for the first time in 2007. The program is currently seeking applications for the coming session, to be held June 4-15 in New York. Springboard NYC is limited to 35 participants.

A concentrated pre-professional training course for college students planning careers in the theater, SpringboardNYC provides job-seeking skills, insight into the business of theater and urban survival tools necessary to translate academic training into a productive career. Last year, two dozen universities and colleges from 17 states were represented.

The curriculum includes a series of workshops, seminars, master classes and field trips that place participants in the center of New York's theatrical community and provide access to influential working artists. Participating mentors and speakers have included actors such as Raul Esparza Company and Paul Rudd Three Days of Rain, directors such as John Rando The Wedding Singer, composers such as Jason Robert Brown Parade, choreographers such as Rob Ashford Curtains and producers such as Bernard Gersten Lincoln Center Theater.

Workshop subjects include resume development, interview technique and audition technique, including a mock open call. Accompanied by real-life evaluations by working pros, these workshops give participants a competitive edge as they launch their own acting careers.

Springboard NYC is led by Randy Ellen Lutterman, who founded Musical Theatre Works. For complete information, go to americantheatrewing.org.