Broadway Academy Students in New York
Broadway Academy Westmount organized a “Broadway Experience” trip to New York City in April 2013.
Day1:
Our Broadway group arrived in New York at 6h00 AM. After checking in the hotel we headed towards Central Park for our first Broadway experience.
Our first appointment at AMDA was scheduled for 12h00 PM (AMDA is located right next to central park). At AMDA, you’ll get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience legendary conservatory training in the two artistic capitals of the world. Whether you study in Los Angeles or New York City (or both), as an AMDA student you become part of a thriving community of artists. We had a chance to attend a campus tour. Group campus tour allowed us to visit and see classrooms on campus, the performing spaces, campus housing, get audition tips and receive information on admissions, financial services and scholarships.
Day 1: Arrival: New York Port Authority 5h50Am – tired but excited
AMDA
Day 2:
This was The Day. We checked in Ripley – Grier studios just a few minutes before 10h00 AM. We got a great opportunity to attend a master class “Acting Through Song” with Jekyll&Hyde Broadway performer Courtney Markowitz (understudy Emma). We were welcomed by Courtney Markowitz at studio 19. “Acting Through Song” class is about the lyrics understanding, interpreting what they mean to each student, how to act and how to adjust singing technique for each song.
We were very excited.
Day 2: RIPLEY- GRIER STUDIOS: Waiting for a master class “Acting Through Song” with Courtney Markowitz – Jekyll&Hyde performer
After Voice/Acting class
After the class
Our instructor: Courtney Markowitz
We ended our Broadway full-circle experience by seeing our teacher Courtney performing on the Broadway stage (Musical Jekyll&Hyde) and with a meet & greet after the show. Not only we got to meet with Courtney. We were allowed to explore the backstage, take a picture with her on the stage and we were introduced to other cast members. First cast member we were introduced to – Deborah Cox (lead Lucy). Deborah is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She has achieved eleven number-one hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart. She is often cited as Canada’s top R&B artist. After saying goodbye to Deborah we were introduced to Teal Wicks. Teal is an American singer and stage actress, best known for her performance as Elphaba in the Broadway, San Francisco, and Los Angeles productions of the musical Wicked. It was one fantastic day.
Our version of Jekyll&Hyde
Our version of Jekyll&Hyde 2
Our version of Jekyll&Hyde 3
Our version of Jekyll&Hyde 4
After Jekyll&Hyde with Courtney (Emma)
Teal Wicks talking to Farida El Kilany after the show.
With TealWicks- well known for performing
Elphaba in Wicked and Emma in Jekyll&Hyde
Behind the stage with Deborah Cox (famous singer, song-writer currently performing Lucy in Jekyll&Hyde on Broadway)
Going to NYC with Broadway Academy Westmount was quiet an adventure! The ‘Acting Through Song’ workshop was very insightful and our teacher (who is part of the ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ Broadway cast) gave us backstage access and the inside scoop to all things Broadway! By the end of the trip I experienced more than one could imagine, and I am ready to put everything learned into effect.
The trip to New York was a wonderful experience; it really opened my eyes to what performing on Broadway really means. The class with Courtney Markowitz really showed us the process musical theatre actors have to go through while preparing for a role, and I truly believe that I will be using all of the tips and pointers she gave us in the future. Being able to go watch Jekyll & Hyde, a musical that I have been in love with for years, getting to meet the performers, and then stepping onto the Marquis theatre stage was very overwhelming. I can truly say that this trip was worthwhile, and if I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.
I had a great time on this New York trip. It was a great experience, especially for those who intend on pursuing a career in theater or musical theater. The acting through song class gave new perspective to the emotions that go into singing a song. Getting to go backstage at the Marquis Theater after Jekyll and Hyde was amazing. From an audiences’ view, you would never guess the chaos that goes on backstage every night during a performance. Overall it was a great learning experience and I would love to do it again!
