Founded in 2003 by Broadway veteran Judith Blazer (LoveMusik, Titanic, Bernarda Alba, Hello Again), Landon Scott Heimbach and Joseph Bates, The Artist's Crossing annual musical theatre intensive features one-on-ones, master classes and workshops on Song and Scene Analysis, Advanced Acting, Viewpoints (the improvisational technique adapted for the stage by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau), career consultations as well as intensives titled The Cast System, For Love of Acting: The Art of Living and Olympic Swingers.
The seminars to take place July 13-15 are designed to assist young performers transitioning from college to the world of professional theatre. The second set of seminars, which will run Aug. 24-25, are geared toward young hopefuls in preparation for performing arts college auditions.
Judith Blazer, the artistic director of The Artist's Crossing, will lead the workshops alongside numerous working professionals: Jack Allison (award-winning director and Head of Musical Theatre at Point Park Conservatory in Pittsburgh), Ellen Beckerman (artistic director of Light Box, director of Ajax: 100% Fun), Diane Ciesla (Lost In Yonkers national tour, The Goodman Theatre), Martin Moran (Spamalot, Cabaret, author and performer of the award-winning The Tricky Part) Kathryn Morath (Nick & Nora, The Pirates of Penzance, instructor at AMDA - NYC & LA), Mark Simon, CSA (Parade, Show Boat, NYCO's Sweeney Todd), Christopher Stephens (Shout! The Mod Musical, instructor at AMDA – NYC) and Jessica Wright (LoveMusik, 2006 revival of Company and 2005 revival of Sweeney Todd).
In a recent interview with Playbill.com, Blazer discussed her work with The Artist's Crossing: "There are so many young artists right now in Manhattan [who are] talented. And there are kids in different parts of this country that are going to come here, that are going to become tomorrow's big, great artists." And when they come, they're young, they're confused, they're lost, they're scared. . . . I've been here all my life, but when you come from Wyoming, it's overwhelming. So, I wanted to build a home for them, but also for all my colleagues, my generation of Broadway people, and all the composers that I work with: the Michael John [LaChiusas] and the Adam Guettels and the Ricky [Ian] Gordons, and that sort of group of crossover composers. I thought, 'We need to give something to them; we need to feel useful.' Actors in my generation want to feel renewed on occasion, and the best way to renew anybody is to give something you know, to pass something on."
The cost for each workshop is $350. Program details and audition information are available on the company's website at www.artistscrossing.com.
