So, you want to be a journalist? Well, if you're a New York City public high school student, you may have a headstart with a new program dubbed The Stringers Program.
A joint effort from Camp Broadway and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), The Stringers Program hopes to train the next generation of media critics and arts journalists through a variety of classroom and on-the-job training.
Designed to help N.Y.C. students foster an interest in theatre and journalism, the program includes two sessions at New York's Columbia University, where students will receive instruction in conducting interviews and research as well as in writing reviews and features. Outside assignments — to allow students to hone the skills learned in class — may include reviewing a Broadway show or CD, writing an article based on a press kit and conducting interviews with theatre artists.
Based on the concept of newspaper stringers — where young reporters work for publications on a part-time basis — Camp Broadway founder Susan Lee first developed the unique program nearly five years ago. After several short-term partnerships, she joined forces with Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism and CSPA. In a statement Lee admitted, "I am thrilled that Camp Broadway has joined forces with such a prestigious organization as CSPA. Together, we can further our mutual goal of making arts journalism an innovative learning experience."
Edmund J. Sullivan, director of CSPA, concurs. "New York City is the legendary home of Broadway, and CSPA is proud of its new partnership with Camp Broadway," he remarked. "These students will have the opportunity to discover the magic of the theatre and gain valuable journalism experience in the process. By working together, we are confident that this program will produce the future media critics of America." This fall maximum of 30 students will be accepted into the semester program, and more information — as well as application forms — are available by going to the CSPA's website at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cspa/.
—By Andrew Gans
