THE BROADWAY MASTER CLASS SERIES
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BroadwayMCS : Acting, Dance, Vocal, Audition and Musical Theater Workshops
Broadway Masters
Our Broadway Masters have Performed on Broadway and Trained Performers in such shows as:
Book of Mormon, Wicked, Porgy and Bess, Cinderella, Annie, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Legally Blond, Billy Elliot, The Lion King, Mama Mia, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, A Chorus Line, Aida, Ragtime, 42nd Street, South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza, Les Miserables, Tarzan, Newsies, Enron, The Producers, All Shook Up, Cats, Fosse, La Cage aux Folles, Elf, White Christmas, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Follies, A Tale of Two Cities, Finian’s Rainbow, Hairspray, Ghost, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, up-coming Tuck Everlasting and the list goes on!
Our Co-Founding Artistic Directors
The Broadway Master Class Series
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Parker Esse
Maria Turnage-Esse
Parker (Co-Founder / Artistic Director and Broadway Master Faculty)
Mr. Esse most recently choreographed A Bed and A Chair: A New York Love Affair starring Bernadette Peters and Norm Lewis. This was a special collaboration with New York City Center Encores! and Jazz at Lincoln Center, highlighting the genius of Stephen Sondheim's music, newly orchestrated by Jazz Legend Wynton Marsalis. Recently he choreographed The Most Happy Fella at Goodspeed Opera House for their 50th Anniversary Season and earlier this year Mr. Esse was the guest choreographer at the Shaw Festival Canada where he choreographed Guys and Dolls. He also recently choreographed the critically acclaimed Carousel for Goodspeed, which was taped and archived for The New York Public Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center (Connecticut Critics Circle Nomination and Broadway World.com named him Best Choreographer of The Year for this work) and will be choreographing their upcoming 2014 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Mr. Esse choreographed Arena Stage's critically and nationally acclaimed productions of Oklahoma! (Helen Hayes Award and The New Yorker’s Best Performers of 2010) and The Music Man (Helen Hayes Nomination) where he will also be choreographing Smokey Joe's Cafe later this season. Mr. Esse choreographed the World Premier of Katie Couric’s The Brand New Kid for The Kennedy Center and US National Tour; Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story at Flat Rock Playhouse; The Mystery Of Irma Vep, The Light in the Piazza, and the World Premier of A Christmas Carol 1941 for Arena Stage. He is currently developing several new works slated for Broadway.
Mr. Esse was Associate Choreographer on Broadway: Tony Nominated - Finian’s Rainbow and A Tale Of Two Cities; Off-Broadway: Rated P for Parenthood; US National Tour: 101 Dalmatians The Musical. Regionally: Associate Director/Choreographer for the World Premier of Lucky Guy, Goodspeed Opera House; Associate Choreographer on the pre-Broadway run of Follies, The Kennedy Center. Also, Associate or Assistant Choreographer for New York City Center’s, Encores! Series: Girl Crazy, Finian’s Rainbow, On The Town, Juno and Stairway to Paradise. Assistant Choreographer for Mame, The Kennedy Center; Dancing In The Dark, The Old Globe; Pirates of Penzance, Goodspeed Opera House; Pirates!, Paper Mill Playhouse; Mack And Mabel, Shaw Festival Canada; Babes And Arms, Goodspeed Opera House; South Pacific, Camelot, Damn Yankees, Arena Stage. Feature Film: Assistant Choreographer: Deception starring Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor. As a Featured Performer, Mr. Esse danced in the Tony Award Winning - Fosse on Broadway with Ben Vereen, Bebe Neuwirth and Ann Reinking, which was taped for PBS Great Performances.
Mr. Esse is proud to have been mentored by his friends and colleagues Baayork Lee, Ben Vereen, Ann Reinking and Gwen Verdon and has been trained in the Michael Bennett and Bob Fosse Legacies, which he continues to pass on to future generations. His passion for teaching future generations and sharing his love of Musical Theater and Dance has been widely praised. Mr. Esse Directed and Choreographed Finian’s Rainbow for Catholic University’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music in Washington, DC and has been on faculty at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and The Cap 21 Musical Theatre Conservatory and Theater Company in NYC. He is also Co-Creator and Developer of Arena Stage’s Musical Theater Academy in Washington, DC where he also serves as the Resident Choreographer and Dance Teacher for the International Program. He has also taught classes for the 2010 and 2011 Music Direction Intensive at Goodspeed Opera House; The Marktoberdorf Summer Intensive Workshop for Professional European Actors in Marktoberdorf, Germany; Lamar University College of Fine Arts’ Dance Department in Beaumont, TX; Catholic University’s Department of Drama in Washington, DC; American University’s Musical Theater in Washington, DC; The Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education in Rochester, NY; The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX; The award winning Met 2 Educational Theater in Los Angeles, CA; Learning on Location in New York City; The Amy Murphy New York City Intensive in New York City; Wright Way National Master Class Intensive in St. Louis, Las Vegas, and New York City; The Shubert Organization in New York City; as well as many local schools, training programs and companies in New York City; Houston, TX; Chicago, IL; Washington, DC; San Francisco; New York; Connecticut; Virginia, Maryland, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia , Tennessee, Colorado and California.
Mr. Esse received his BFA from New York University and the Tisch School of the Arts.
Maria (Co-Founder / Artistic Director and Managing Director)
Mrs. Turnage-Esse Is the Co-Founder, Co-Artistic Director and Managing Director of The Broadway Master Class Series.. She has been a Theater Educator and Education Through Theater Advocate for over 25 years. For the past 19 years she has been successful as a Theatrical Career Manager for Broadway Professionals and has Mentored, Taught, Directed, Coached and Advised thousands of Young Artists and Broadway Professionals in Theater, Vocal Performance, Acting, Managing Theatrical Careers and Teaching/Directing through Theater Education. She has also co-directed and acted in NYC Equity Showcases, Concerts, Festivals and Benefits for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, and worked in the field of Casting in NYC.
Mrs. Turnage-Esse teaches Musical Theater, Vocal Performance, Greek Comedy/Tragedy Development and Performance, as well as Acting, Improvand Vocal Technique for Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater's Arena Stage Academy and Camp Arena Stage for their Summer Intensive Program and The Shubert Organization in NYC. She spent 4 years developing a Pre-K through 8th Grade Drama and Theater Education Program for a private school in Connecticut and has an extensive Education Through Theater teaching background spanning 22 years.
As a leading performer Mrs. Turnage-Esse has worked Internationally and Regionally in Paris, Moscow, London, New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Boston in Equity Showcases, Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids Concerts, World Premiers and Classic Musical Theater productions. A few favorite Theatres have included West End Theatre in NYC, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe San Diego, Schoenberg Hall in LosAngeles, Gogol Theatre Moscow, Paris and Disneyland.
Mrs. Turnage-Esse received her BFA from New York University and the Tisch School of the Arts.
Up-Coming Broadway Master Faculty
* Our Masters are all sought after working professionals who love the opportunity to pass on their knowledge to Young Performing Artists. However, due to this fact, we may need to replace a scheduled Master for a particular Workshop and/or class. The Broadway Master Class Series is committed to providing our students with the same caliber faculty for every Workshop. We are blessed to work with and bring to our students, Masters in such high demand. Thank you for understanding our Masters, and their subsequent classes, may be subject to change without notice.
Please keep checking back... our list keeps growing... and growing... and growing!
* CLICK ON THE PHOTOS BELOW TO VISIT EACH BROADWAY MASTER INSTRUCTOR'S OFFICAL WEBSITE *
Noah Weisberg
Broadway: South Pacific, Enron, Elf, Legally Blonde. Other NY: Shakespeare in the Park, Awesome 80’s Prom (co-writer). Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, George Street, Paper Mill, Actors Theatre of Louisville.
Film: Writer/Director of the award winning film What’s Life Got To Do With It?. Also Lucky Stiff, The Lost Coast Tapes, Stay Then Go, Across the Universe, Doonce.
TV: The New Normal, Modern Family, The Good Wife, iCarly, Law & Order, Disney’s JoJo's Circus, Cashmere Mafia, Law & Order CI, Love Monkey. You've probably seen & heard Noah on hundreds of commercials.
Noah is a proud graduate of New York University's, Tish School of the Arts.
Please Check out Noah's AMAZING website for a full list of Broadway/NY Theater, Commercials, TV/Film Credits, and Awards by clicking on his picture above or by visiting www.CastNoah.com, his Mother thanks you!
Jeff Kready
Jeff Kready has the distinction of being the youngest person, at age 24, to perform the role of Jean Valjean on Broadway, while making his Broadway debut as understudy in the 2006 revival of Les Misérables.
In 2008, he was cast in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George. Later that year he would be an original cast member in Elton John's Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway. In 2010 he began playing the role of Tony Elliot, Billy's older brother, both on Broadway, and then originating the role in the national touring production. Off-Broadway he was seen in Tokio Confidential at the Atlantic Theater Company.
Regional credits include Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie at The Paper Mill Playhouse, Mr. Snow in Carousel at The Goodspeed Opera House, Crumpet in David Sedaris’ one-man-show, The Santaland Diaries at Hartford TheaterWorks, the world premiere of In This House at the Two River Theater Company, Jesus in Godspell, Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street, Rum Tum Tugger in CATS, and Billy Crocker in Anything Goes. On television, Jeff was seen in season three of Boardwalk Empire on HBO. He can be heard as the voice of Umpqua Bank in the Northwest.
He holds a BA in Voice Performance and in Vocal Music Education from Washburn University.
Josh Walden
Has been in the Broadway Revivals A Chorus Line, LaCage aux Folles and 42nd St. He was Associate Director/Choreographer and featured ensemble member for the Broadway Revival of Ragtime He has been on numberous National Tours including his most recent for Legally Blond.
Founded in 2003, Walden created his own dance company, Walden Dance Theatre, with the desire to couple the technical skills of dancing with the tools of the acting world to create a highly charged
theatrical setting. Walden Dance Theatre had it’s
first dance musical, All Is Love, produced at the New York Musical Theatre Festival and received rave reviews and an honorable mention for his Direction and Choreography. Walden Dance Theatre has many projects including a musical written by Walden,
"A Day in the Life of Ordinary People".
Walden was director/choreographer on the Opera, Fallen Angel, in the New York International Fringe Festival which, won BestMusical. he has choreographed for The Kennedy Center, Sacramento Music Circus, Signature Theatre, DR2 Theatre, Bay Street Theatre, Theatreworks USA, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Gateway Playhouse, Riverside Theatre in FL, CAP 21 Studios, D.A.R.E., Tisch School of the Arts, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre and Morag Productions for the Seabourn Sun Cruise Ship.
Nicholas Rodriguez
Nicholas perhaps best known for the role of Nick Chavez on ABC’s “One Life to Live” he received the GLAAD Media Award , the 2009 Visibility Award, and along with his co-stars , “Men of the Year”.
He made his Broadway debut in Disney’s production of Tarzan. Prior to that, Nicholas originated the role of“Aaron," starring opposite Val Kilmer's "Moses" in the U.S Premiere of The Ten Commandments. Off-Broadway: The Toxic Avenger: The Musical, Almost Heaven: Songs of John Denver, Collette Collage, and Bajour. Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Evita (Che), and Hair (Claude). Regionally he played Curly in Oklahoma! at Arena Stage for which he received a 2011 Helen Hayes Award for “Best Actor in a Musical” and was named “Top 10 Performers of 2010” by Hilton Als of The New Yorker. He also received a Helen Hayes nomination for My Fair Lady (Freddy). Other credits include: The Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio) Oklahoma! (Curly), Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy), South Pacific (Joe Cable), The King & I as “Lun Tha” with Lou Diamond Phillips, Nefertiti (Akhenaten), Cinderella (Prince Charming), Last 5 Years, Candide with Harrisburg Opera, Love, Valour, Compassion! (Ramon) and Master Class (Tony).
On the big screen, Rodriguez was seen in Sex and the City 2. He is also featured on the film’s soundtrack.
A native Texan, he holds a BM and MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas at Austin.
When not on stage, Nicholas is the proud Artistic Director of The Broadway Dreams Foundation. (www.mybroadwaydreams.com)
Greg Graham
Originally from Houston, TX, Greg is a graduate Sam Houston State’s Musical Theater Program. He got his professional start dancing in the Broadway cast of FOSSE, where he was featured in the audience favorite, "Steam Heat." Following FOSSE, he appeared in the Broadway company of CHICAGO. It was at this time that Jerry Mitchell asked him to dance captain the original production of the Broadway hit HAIRSPRAY, in which he became the associate choreographer for the 1st National Company and the South African production. He continued working with Mr. Mitchell for the next few years as an associate for the Broadway productions of NEVER GONNA DANCE and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS.
To add to his successful career in New York, Mr. Graham was asked to be the dance captain and later the resident choreographer for the Broadway production of BILLY ELLIOT as well for both national touring productions. Besides working on the Broadway stage, he was also seen in in the Julie Taymor film ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, and the NBC television series SMASH.
After a 13 year career performing on the Broadway stage, TV, and movies, Mr. Graham has ventured into his own world of direction and choreography. Following a successful showcase of his own at the New York City Center, he had the pleasure of creating works for the TV series UGLY BETTY and VH1 CELEBRITY FIT CLUB, as well as the Universal Pictures film STATE OF PLAY starring Russell Crowe. His stage credits include TIO PEPE at The Public, SOMEWHERE, at San Diego's Old Globe Theater, RAGTIME in Concert at Lincoln Center, and FINKS at the Ensemble Studio Theater in New York.
Robin Lewis
Appeared in the Broadway productions of Fosse, Beauty and the Beast and A Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. He also appeared in the First National Tours of Victor/Victoria and The Producers.
Other National Tours includes A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly, Beauty and the Beast and special performances at The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall. He appears on the PBS Dance in America movie Fosse: A Celebration in Dance.
Lewis' choreographic work includes the Richard Linklater film BERNIE (2011) starring Shirley MacLaine and Jack Black. He recently he directed Broadway and MTV's reality star Bailey Hanks in Legally Blonde. Some recent directing/choreography credits include: Evita(Oklahoma Lyric), Rent, Drowsy Chaperone, Hairspray, Porgy and Bess, Music Man, Carousel, Chicago, All Shook Up, and The Wild Party.
He has taught for Camp Broadway, Broadway Classroom, Broadway Theater Project, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Texas State and many Universities across the country and internationally.
Robin is currently on faculty for Musical Theatre at Westminster College of the Arts at Rider University in Princeton. Please visit his website or just click on the picture above www.robinlewisdance.com
Tim Federle
Coming Soon
Brad Gardner
Coming Soon
Jenn Gambatese
*Jenn has joined the company of the first North American tour of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman's Wicked! She is delighted to have this opportunity to play Miss Galinda Upland!
Jenn Gambatese is a Broadway actor, singer, teacher and writer who came to New York to study at NYU and double majored in Drama and Sociology. She graduated magna cum laude. Jenn's Broadway debut was in Footloose and the Original Broadway Company of Hairspray (a show she happily returned to in the role of 'Penny Pingleton'.) Between those stints she forayed into the forest to play 'Mouse' and other woodland creatures in A Year with Frog and Toad.
Jenn originated her first leading role, playing 'Natalie' (and her alter-ego, 'Ed') in All Shook Up - Outer Critics Circle nomination. Next she created the role of 'Jane' on Broadway in Disney's Tarzan and then played opposite Norbert Leo Butz in Is He Dead?
Regionally she played 'Chloe Haddock' in Lips Together Teeth Apart at Westport Country Playhouse. She won a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of 'Annie Oakley' in Annie Get Your Gun at the Goodspeed Opera House, and was nominated for another CCC for playing 'Constance Blackwood' in We Have Always Lived in the Castle at Yale Repertory Theater. Jenn has been privileged to sing in Concerts across the country and enjoys teaching master classes to young performers in both high school and university settings.
Nikki Renée Daniels
Nikki Renée Daniels was most recently seen on Broadway singing "Summertime" as Clara in the 2012 Tony Award winning revival of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess.
Other Broadway credits include Les Miserablés (Fantine), Nine (Renata), Aida (Nehebka), Little Shop of Horrors, The Look of Love, Promises, Promises, Anything Goes and Lestat. She made her New York City Opera debut as Clara in Porgy and Bess. Recently, Nikki played the featured role of Tracy in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Radio City Music Hall. Regional Theater credits include Ray Charles Live! (Della B.) at Pasadena Playhouse; Anything Goes (Hope) at Williamstown Theatre Festival; Beauty and the Beast (Belle) at Sacramento Music Circus, American Musical Theater of San Jose and North Shore Music Theater; Ragtime (Sarah) at North Shore Music Theatre; Aida (Aida) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator) at ArtPark and Dorian (Celia) at the Denver Center. Film/Television: The Other Woman and “Chappelle’s Show”.
Nikki has performed as a soloist with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the New York Pops, the Naples Symphony Orchestra and at Carnegie Hall. Her debut CD “Home” is available on iTunes and CDBaby.com. For more information please visit nikkireneedaniels.com
Lisa Gajda
Lisa has performed on Broadway in Chaplin (Hedda u/s), Catch Me If You Can (Carol Strong u/s), Elf, Fininan's Rainbow (Susan The Silent u/s), Guys And Dolls, Pal Joey (Gladys u/s), Cry Baby (Pepper & Mona u/s), The Times They Are A Changin', Spamalot, Movin' Out, Taboo, Urban Cowboy, Sweet Smell Of Success (Rita u/s), Kiss Me Kate, Fosse, How To Succeed In Business and Tommy.
Other credits are Pippin at the ART theater in Boston, Anyone Can Whistle (Encores!), Finian's Rainbow (Encores!), Applause Applause (Encores!), and Can Can (Encores!). She's participated in the workshops and contributed to creation of Come Fly Away, Fosse, Brigadoon and many more.
She's also appeared on Television in the 66th Annual Tony's opening number, The Kennedy Center Honors for Steve Martin, Fashion Rocks with Duran Duran, The Relly's, Viva Variety (Swimsuit Squad), The MTV Music Awards with Paula Abdul and the 61st and 62nd Academy Awards.
She's taught a weekly Musical Theater class at Steps On Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Broadway Artists Alliance, Broadway Classroom, Dance Educators, Destination Broadway and numerous local dance studios around the country.
Lisa absolutely loves to teach and hopes to pass her excitement and knowledge on to her students.
Tanya Birl
Tanya has performed both in New York and around the world. Credits include Broadway: ‘Finian’s Rainbow’, ‘Memphis’, ‘How To Succeed in Business...’ staring Daniel Radcliffe, and recently ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ staring Scarlett Johansson. She has also performed in ‘West Side Story’ in London’s West End and in several of New York's City Center Encores! Productions. Recently Tanya has been fortunate to work as the associate choreographer on 'Cotton Club Parade' with Jazz at Lincoln Center and ‘Chaplin’ the musical, on Broadway.
Born and raised just outside of Toronto, Canada, Tanya began her training and love for dance and theater at the age of 10. She attended Cawthra Park School of the Arts where she was one of the founding dancers of the Cawthra Park Repertory Company under the direction of Fanny Ghoryeb. She received the leadership in dance and senior dance achievement awards her graduating year. Tanya continued her studies at the world-renowned Alvin Ailey School in NYC. Tanya was the recipient of the Triple Threat Dance Convention’s 1st place prize where she was offered a contract with Princess Cruise Lines. After a short contract at seas she began her theater career on the 1st National tour of Broadway's ‘The Lion King’.
Through all of this Tanya continues to teach master classes and workshops around the New York City area. Her love of dance and theater is something that she looks forward to passing on to young artists who are eager to learn.
Richard Lissemore
An internationally recognized and acclaimed voice teacher and performance coach, who specializes in vocal technique and performance for musical theater and pop music. His myriad students perform on Broadway, Carnegie Hall, at New York's Radio City Music Hall, and in both American and International touring productions throughout the world. He has worked extensively with recording artists from many of the top record companies in the United States.
In addition, he has taught on the faculties of New York University, the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and Rutgers University. He is especially well known for his innovative masterclasses which are presented frequently throughout Europe and in New York City. Most recently he has taught workshops and masterclasses in voice pedagogy for The British Voice Association at The Royal Academy Of Music in London, Columbia University and the University Of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory Of Music. As a versatile performing artist, he has been equally at home performing opera, musical theatre and concert repertoire throughout the world.
Richard is a proud member of Actorsʼ Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) . Presently the owner of Lissemore Music Studios in New York City, he is also a sought-after voiceover actor whose voice can be heard on radio and television commercials throughout the United States.
Jessica Grové
Recently appeared on Broadway in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC with Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. Other Broadway credits: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Celeste 2), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Miss Dorothy), and LES MISÉRABLES (Eponine).
At age 15, Jessica originated the role of Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, as well as on the National Tour. She received a Jefferson Award nomination for her portrayal, and can be heard on the 1998 Grammy nominated cast recording.
Jessica played Polly on the National tour of THE BOY FRIEND (directed by Julie Andrews),
Jessica’s Off-Broadway credits include the original cast of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Diana Barry), Peter Mills’ ILLYRIA (Viola), and the World Premieres of IRON CURTAIN and THE PURSUIT OF PERSEPHONE. Jessica appeared as Ariel in the West Coast premiere of Disney’s The Little Mermaid,
Regionally: Amalia in SHE LOVES ME (CT Critics Circle Award Nomination), Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, and Fleur-de-Lys and Esmeralda in NOTRE DAME DE PARIS (U.S. and English Language Premiere in Las Vegas).
Jessica started The Jessica Grové Fund for the Performing Arts, which financially assists students in her hometown in pursuing their dreams in the arts.
Michael James Scott
Is currently a playing Dr. Gotswana, a featured role he created in the new Broadway hit show The Book of Mormon. He recently just shot a guest co-star in the new upcoming TV series “The Carrie Diaries” premiering in the fall.
His other Broadway credits include Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up, The Pirate Queen, Tarzan, Hair, and Elf. In London’s West End he was assistant choreographer and cast member for the revival of Hair. Off-Broadway, Mr. Scott was featured in Here’s to Joe opposite Donna McKechnie, and he was part of the concert cast of Jerry Springer: The Opera at Carnegie Hall. He served as the standby for Ben Vereen in the international tour of Fosse and eventually taking over the role for Mr. Vereen. Regionally he has appeared in Aida, Ragtime, South Pacific, and Cinderella, to name a few. For the past four years, Mr. Scott has sung with the critically acclaimed singing group The Broadway Boys.
His dance and musical theater training began with the Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa, Florida, where he studied with the leg-endary Gwen Verdon, Ben Vereen, Gregory Hines, and Ann Reinking. He has taught numerous master classes around the country in dance and musical theater, and he loves working with young artists. Mr. Scott is a graduate of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University, where he received a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre.@FashionistaMJS www.MichaelJamesScott.com
Meg Gillentine-Morris
Started her training at the Atlanta School of Ballet when she was nine. Studying Classical Ballet and was soon put in Atlanta Ballet's pre-professional company at twelve. She attended New York University Tisch School of the Arts landing her first Broadway show Cats, playing the role of Cassandra at the age of nineteen. She continued her education at NYU while performing in Cats and graduated with a BFA in Acting.
Broadway: Cats (Cassandra), Fosse (Featured Performer) and The Frogs starring Nathan Lane. She can also be seen on the PBS broadcast of Fosse performing "Steam Heat," "Nowadays," and "Big Spender" with Ann Reinking. First National Tour: Fosse; The Producers (LA Company) starring Jason Alexander and Martin Short. Regional: Lola in Damn Yankees (Helen Hayes Award-Best Actress in a Musical) and Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Helen Hayes Nomination-Best Actress in a Musical), Arena Stage; Gladys in The Pajama Game, Baltimore Center Stage; Lois/Bianca in Kiss Me Kate (Ovation Nomination-Best Supporting Actress in a Musical). Film Credits: Madea’s Witness Protection Program directed by Tyler Perry, The Producers directed by Susan Stroman, and Every Little Step. Numerous National Commercials, currently seen in The Food Lion “Savings Seeker” campaign, and Scana “Affairs of the Flame” playing Margaret. She has taught Master Classes all over the country and is really excited about the launch of The Broadway Master Class Series.
Ashley Yeater
Ashley is currently serving as the Dance Captain on the Broadway show Big Fish under the direction of 5 time Tony winner Susan Stroman.
She has performed in New York and all over the world . On Broadway and in NY she performed in "Follies", "The Producers" and "On the Town" at City Center Encores! She also had the pleasure of touring the US in one of her all time favorite shows "A Chorus Line" playing her dream role of Sheila. Her other National and International Tours include: "The Producers", "Chicago", "Cats", and "Footloose".
Ashley has had the honor of working as the assistant choreographer to Parker Esse on the nationally acclaimed "Oklahoma!" at Arena Stage. She was thrilled to watch Parker take the stage to accept Best Choreographer at the Helen Hayes Awards for this stunning production. She also worked as assistant choreographer to Parker Esse on "The Music Man" at Arena Stage (currently nominated- Helen Hayes Best Choreography).
Ashley showed up to New York City at the age of 19 with a dream to perform on Broadway. Through hard work and dedication she continues to thrive in the musical theater world. She is thrilled to be a part of the Broadway Master Class Series and looks forward to sharing her passion for musical theater.
Madeleine Doherty
Has been an original cast member of 4 Broadway Shows and has loved every minute of her time in: Romance, Romance; The Producers, A Christmas Carol and Sister Act. She also was the Dance Captain and company member in the long running sensation, Les Miserable on Broadway for 10 years.
She has worked regionally at many wonderful theaters around the USA including The Guthrie Theater, Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburg Civic Light Opera, Sacramento Music Circus, Kansas City Starlight, North Shore Music Theater, just to name a few. She has also toured with and been a company member in many National Tours including The Pirates Of Penzance, 101 Dalmatians and 9 to 5.
Madeleine is proud to say that in her 34 years of being an actress in New York City and on Broadway, she has never had to take any other job, other than acting.
Madeleine has been adjunct faculty at NYU and has taught workshops and Master Classes for high school students since 1993. Her favorite workshop to teach is Audition Clinic where she is able to mold and infuse young students with ideas, as well teaching them the principles of the audition arena so they may become independent and confident to command the room and make wise decisions. Teaching is her new favorite.
Tyrick Wiltez Jones
Has been in this business professionally since he was 16 yrs old and has taught and ran Musical Theatre Programs in the US since he was 17. He has had the opportunity to work in many aspects of this business. Auditioning in front of the Table and Sitting behind the table, as an Actor, Singer, Dancer, Asst Choreographer, and Choreographer.
Tyrick's credits include Broadway: Howard in Finian’s Rainbow, Hairspray. Broadway National Touring credits include:Seussical, Fosse, and Show Boat. Regional: From My Hometown(Wilde Award), A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, Chicago, and Soup Soap & Salvation. New York City Center ‘ENCORES!’: Finian’s Rainbow (Henry). Concert: PHISH 2011 New Year’s Eve concert at Madsion Square Garden (featured singer/dancer), Mary Wilson of the Supremes Motown/Rock and Roll North America Tour (featured background singer), US Premiere of Sacred Ellington starring Jessye Norman with the Carnegie Hall ‘HONOR’ Series. Tyrick has been featured in many readings/workshops in NYC and has made numerous film and television appearances throughout the U.S. and Europe. Film: Back to Me, an Independent Short he starred in, traveled the Film Festival Circuits successfully, Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah & Dolly Parton as the Assistant Choreographer.
Tyrick’s voice is currently heard singing background all over the world in John Tartaglia’s Imaginocean, and he is also currently working on a few new projects, so keep a Look Out. He presently serves at the Associate Director of Broadway Artists Alliance and loves teaching Master Classes all across the US. Tyrick is beyond Ecstatic to be apart of The Broadway Master Class Series.
Stephen Carrasco
Has been singing and dancing professionally for the past ten years. His Broadway credits include Billy Elliot, White Christmas, and Ghost. Also in NY, he appeared in the City Center Encore productions of Music in the Air and It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman.
Stephen spent a year touring the U.S. and Canada in Young Frankenstein, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. Originally from Okemos Michigan, Stephen now permanently resides in New York City. Since moving to NYC, he has had the pleasure of working with such choreographers as Josh Bergasse (Emmy award winning Choreographer of Smash), Randy Skinner (Tony Nominated Choreographer for White Christmas, the revival of 42nd Street, and Ain't Broadway Grand), Warren Carlyle (Director/Choreographer of the recent Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow, Chaplin, and A Christmas Story), Michael Lichtefeld (Choreographer of Broadway’s Little Women, and The Secret Garden), and more.
For more info, please visit www.stephencarrasco.com, or follow him on twitter @StephenCarrasco.
Brittany Marcin
Brittany is originally from St. Augustine, Florida. She trained at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in ballet under Melissa Hayden. She also studied in Budapest, Hungary with the Hungarian National Ballet. Upon graduating from high school, the Sarasota Ballet chose her to join their company. Brittany later moved to New York City and has been seen performing on Broadway in Anything Goes as Charity, Follies, and Curtains. She was also in the US National Tour and Canada National Tour with Young Frankenstein, Dr. Dolittle, and The Will Rogers Follies.
Brittany has also performed in many regional productions across the country including West Side Story, The Producers, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Internationally she has also appeared in the musical Chicago as Hunyak at the Macau International Music Festival. For 5 years, Brittany performed as a Rockette at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Her television credits include the 61st Annual Tony Awards, “The Miraculous Year” for HBO, and numerous Radio City Music Hall Rockette appearances.
Brittany loves teaching and passing on her knowledge and advice to the next generation of aspiring young artists. After having the joy of working with Parker Esse on “Follies” at the Kennedy Center, she is thrilled to join the Broadway Master Class Series.
Tina Marie Casamento
Tina Marie is a casting associate for NETworks Theatricals, heading national tour auditions held in New York and several major U.S. Cities. Current projects include the national tours of Beauty And The Beast, Elf, Young Frankenstein and Shrek the musical. She has been coaching and directing for over 19 years, and many of her clients have gone on to book prestigious contracts.
Currently, she is in a development deal with EMI Music Publishing for a Broadway musical that she conceived entitled Chasing Rainbows about the childhood of Judy Garland with a book by Tony Award winning writer Thomas Meehan, and existing music from the MGM/ Feist Robbins catalog.
Tina Marie has been the chair and a national panelist for 4 years in Theatre/Musical Theatre for YoungArts. She has a thriving coaching studio and recording business, www.BroadwayDemo.com which she owns and operates with her husband, David.
In 1999, she was presented the Teacher Recognition Award by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program for her work as a musical theatre coach. She received training at Carnegie Melon University as well as B.A.D.A. in Oxford (England) through Yale University. She received her B.A. at University of Maryland on a creative and performing arts scholarship.
Visit her website at www.TinaMarieC.com.
Jessica Wu
BA musical theatre professional for nearly a decade, Jessica has been spotted singing and dancing all across North America! Jessica made her Broadway debut in the revival of A Chorus Line as the spunky Connie Wong and originated the role in the First National Revival Company. In other National Tours, she’s danced across the country with Broadway Icons Tommy Tune (Dr. Dolittle, the Musical!) and Sandy Duncan (The King and I) and was also featured in the tours of Miss Saigon and The Wizard of Oz. Regionally, she has had the privilege of working at D.C.’s Tony Award winning Arena Stage, Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Baltimore CenterStage, Pioneer Theatre Company of Utah, Kansas City Starlight, as well as NYC’s Lincoln Center to name a few!
A native of Canada, Jessica received her training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Quinte Ballet of Ontario, and the National Ballet of Canada. She also holds Advanced standings from the British Royal Academy of Dance as well as the Royal Conservatory of Music (for concert piano), and she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music for Vocal Performance from New York University’s Steinhardt School (with a minor in Medieval and Renaissance Art History).
Throughout her performing career, Jessica has been an avid teacher of dance and theatre and loves passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation of Broadway stars!
Heidi Blickenstaff
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Publicity Reviews of our Masters and Testimonials from our Students and Parents
-“The Masters really take their time to talk with the students about the business, their personal experiences on stage as Broadway Performers and behind the table as Directors, Choreographers and Casting Directors for Broadway, Commercials and Movies. They were wonderful.” - Musical Theater Training Studio Director and Mother of one of our students
“Inspiring... our students really ate this up! They hung on every word and it has really translated into their everyday classes... they are still talking about the program and quoting it 3 months later.” - Professional Theater Arts Training Program, Executive Director
"Mr. Esse’s lovely rendering of the famous dream ballet... imagines a romance that echoes that of (Louise's) parents... fluid arms and arching back eloquently convey (Louise's) pain and her longing. As the embodiment of that longing (The Barker) is a perfect partner." - Carousel-The New York Times
."As the thoroughly winning Ms. Gambatese plays her, Penny is not just a nerdy, uptight cartoon in need of a good, uh, boyfriend. The comic broad strokes are still in place, but they have a newly melting quality. " HAIRSPRAY: Ben Brantley, New York Times
“…the opera is all there in spirit. Starting with Nikki Renée Daniels’ exquisite opening rendition of ‘Summertime,’ the Paulus-Parks Porgy is a streamlined, intimate, musically ravishing show.” - Richard Zoglin, Time Magazine
"Noah Weisberg…Wonderfully goofy portrayal as Eugene…Seemed to radiate pure joy in performing each time on stage…" - Naomi Siegel of THE NEW YORK TIMES
"As her fisherman suitor, Jeff Kready has the bluff, hearty air of a seaman and the pipes of a trained singer." -The New York Times
"Meg Gillentine... demonstrates superb singing and dancing skills in “Always True to You in My Fashion” - Variety
"Parker Esse’s jaunty choreography sends them soaring. The men get their opportunities to show off as well, in the swaggering steps of the spirited whaling song 'Blow High, Blow Low'." -The New York Times
"Ms. Gambatese has a platinum-plated voice and a smile warm enough to sell tickets all by itself, and she plays Annie Oakley with an affecting blend of brassy boldness and unexpected vulnerability. This is the kind of performance on which whole careers are built." -- ANNIE GET YOUR GUN: Terry Teachout, Wall Street Journal
"It will have you laughing the entire time. A brilliant comedy from Director Noah Weisberg." - HOUSTON COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW
“Daniels sings like an angel and easily persuades she could be anyone’s soulmate.”
- Bob Verini, Variety
"Just as fabulous is Meg Gillentine as the devil's henchwoman, Lola. (Meg is a)... tour-de-force. Her singing is highly attractive, her dancing scintillating, and her comic timing impeccable. (God forgive me, but I actually found her funnier than Gwen Verdon in the movie!)" - TheaterMania
"Kready is completely convincing in his aggressive attack against Billy’s dreams of a career in Ballet, even after the father has accepted his younger son’s special gifts. Kready embodies the dread of defeat and sense of hopelessness for himself, the other miners, and the future of his community." -The San Fransisco Sentinel
"What lifts this Oklahoma! into the upper ranges of feel good territory is Parker Esse's choreography. The guy is a genius. Plus he is blessed with a group of dancers, particularly the men, whose energy and fast-paced (choreographed) moves provide great pleasure for the audience. A roar went up at the end of their first big number in Act One, and that set the tone for the evening.... Helen Hayes winner Parker Esse and his dance for "Everything's Up To Date In Kansas City," not only leaves you wanting more but it stops the show, nightly." -CurtainUp
"Channeling Kate Winslet, Gambatese has an expansive personality and a fine singing voice. Her duet with Tarzan, "For the First Time," is a touching, full-bodied expression of their nascent love." -- TARZAN: David Rooney, Variety
"Weisberg's talent is clear in his belting of the songs and his impressive bar mitzvah–gone–rock show dance moves. It's easy to root for him." - Hilary Tuttle, BACKSTAGE
“As Caroline’s daughter, Emmie, Nikki Renee Daniels positively radiates a youthful exuberance befitting her character’s undiminished determination. It’s an electrifying performance and one of the standouts of the production - which makes sense since Caroline, or Change is to some degree the story of one generation passing the future on to the next. Daniels captures that spirit of youth with unparalleled passion.” - Brad Richason, The Examiner
"Fosse is a perfect fit. The talented cast of close to thirty can't be faulted. Special mention needs to go to the female lead... Meg Gillentine, who excelled throughout the night."-Talkin' Broadway
"Jeff Kready played Enoch Snow and he stole the show."-James Marino, BroadwayRadio.com
"...reinforced grandly in Parker Esse's superb choreography... and with the help of the male ensemble, turns the first-act dance number "Kansas City" into a thrilling acrobatic showpiece." -The Washington Post