StudentsLive, the premier Broadway Education Company, has brought 48 South Korean students ages 8-14 to NYC (and the United States) for the very first time as they participate in the StudentsLive “Passport to Broadway” Program (first started in 2009, www.PassportoBroadway.com). This unique cultural experience aims to expose the students (who at the start speak little or no English) to American history, theater and music as they rehearse and put together a special final performance, a musical titled “Journey to America” which will take place on Tuesday, August 20 at 8pm at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center (248 West 60th Street). This is the 10th South Korean group to participate in the program and other countries have included China, Brazil, Guatemala and Japan.
“Journey to America” includes a medley of 40 classic and contemporary Broadway show numbers with an original book, and over the 18 days the students work with Broadway Musical Directors, Choreographers, Performers and Guest Artists on putting together this exciting show as they rehearse at Pearl Studios (500 8th Avenue).
The primary goals of the “Passport to Broadway” Program are to expand and deepen students understanding and familiarity with all areas of Broadway Theater and to enhance their studies in human behavior, culture and expression. Taught by the best professionals on Broadway, through challenging music, dancing, acting and, most importantly, the unique art form of “putting it all together”, StudentsLive prepares these students to be highly competitive in whatever career they choose to pursue as well as prepare them for the best universities and career opportunities possible.
Current and Past Broadway Guest Artists Include: Tony Award-winner Ben Vereen, Duncan Stewart (Duncan Stewart & Co.), Jeff Calhoun (Director of Newsies), John Tartaglia (Television/Broadway Actor, Avenue Q, Johnny and the Sprites), Kevin Woodworth (Costume Designer, Chicago on Broadway), Benton Whitley (Casting Associate – Duncan Stewart & Co.), Nick Pramik (Director, Marketing and Partnerships, SpotCo), Douglas Lyons (The Book of Mormon), Rachelle Rak (Catch Me If You Can), Erica Mansfield (Evita), Christopher Jackson (In The Heights), Bernard Dotson (Merrily We Roll Along) and more.
