Guidance initiatives foster upcoming theatre stars for Broadway debuts
Broadway's the place where theater dreams unfold for enthusiasts, and mentorship programs are paving the way for the next generation of performers, creatives, and audiences.
One such program, the Theater Development Fund's Wendy Wasserstein Project, links mentors with students across New York, even taking them to the heart of Broadway for shows. Since its inception in 1978, over 4,000 students have been brought to shows by around 60 mentors. This year, eight students from the Young Women's Leadership School of Manhattan, a public all-girls school in Harlem, are part of this enlightening journey, with their mentor being the Tony Award-winning lyricist David Zippel.
Speaking to us, Zippel expressed his enthusiasm about live theater and his desire to share it with as many people as possible. Ramona Fittipaldi, the students' math teacher, actively encourages participation in the program, having witnessed students moved to tears by what they've seen on stage.
Lately, the students, Zippel, and Fittipaldi, watched the thought-provoking "Purpose," a play exploring a troubled Black family's struggles with faith, legacy, and identity. Following the show, the group shared pizza and engaged in discussions about their impressions. These conversations have led to candid talks about the students' lives, according to Zippel.
This year, "Purpose" actor Kara Young made a surprise appearance at one of these pizza discussions. Young is a Tony-nominated actress, receiving her fourth consecutive nomination for an acting award. She graduated from the same leadership school as the students. Mameawa Thiaw, one of the students, was thrilled to meet Young after watching her on stage, noting the significant impact it has on young Black women to see themselves represented in these productions.
Meanwhile, five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman is mentoring future playwrights through a writing fellowship at the University of Delaware. Stroman invites fellows to rehearsals of her latest musical, "Smash," and introduces them to set designers, lighting designers, and other production workers. Erin Muñoz, one of the fellows, found that this exposure to various fields further fueled her dreams of a Broadway career.
Stroman aims to encourage young people to join the theater world through her fellowship and similar programs. For her, there's no greater feeling than watching an audience react to something she's created, be it laughter, tears, or embraces.
- Tony Awards
- New York City
- Broadway
- Enrichment Data: Synonyms:
- Theater Development Fund's Wendy Wasserstein Project: This initiative forges connections between mentors and students, offering Broadway shows as educational resources.
- Broadway Dreams: A non-profit organization committed to providing diverse students with opportunities to explore their artistic potential, mentored by Broadway professionals.
Impact of Mentorship Programs: - Mentorship offers young students direct access to industry professionals, providing insights and guidance to refine their craft. - Students who participate in these programs have a higher probability of achieving success on Broadway and national tours. - Programs like Broadway Dreams foster diversity and inclusivity by breaking barriers for talented young people from various backgrounds. - Engaging with Broadway shows and professionals enriches students, contributing to a more vibrant and diverse theater community.
- The Theater Development Fund's Wendy Wasserstein Project, an initiative that forges connections between mentors and students, offers Broadway shows as educational resources in New York City.
- Various mentorship programs, such as Broadway Dreams, provide diverse students opportunities to explore their artistic potential, guided by Broadway professionals.
- Participation in mentorship programs increases the probability of achieving success on Broadway and national tours, as students gain direct access to industry professionals.
- Programs like Broadway Dreams contribute to a more vibrant and diverse theater community by fostering diversity and inclusivity, breaking barriers for talented young people from various backgrounds.
- Engaging with Broadway shows and professionals through programs like the Wendy Wasserstein Project enriches students, offering insights and guidance, and contributes to a more vibrant and diverse theater community.
