In 1991, Paul Gemignani joined forces with some of the most distinguished professionals in musical theater to create the Professional Musical Theater Workshop at Manhattan School of Music. The program is designed to provide intensive training for musical theater performers who seek to refine their performance skill and to be better equipped to fulfill the needs of musical theater today.

 Mr. Gemignani, world-renowned musical director of more than 35 Broadway shows, has assembled a stellar faculty made up of outstanding musical theater professionals from the Broadway stage. Mr. Gemignani’s credits include Kiss Me Kate, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, the original productions of Sweeney Todd and Follies, the recent production of Assassins, and Pacific Overtures, to name a few. The 2008 workshop faculty Mr. Gemignani has assembled includes Jim Carnahan (career management), Phyllis Della (hair/make-up/Life Coach), Paul Ford (vocal coach), Robert Kimball (lecturer), Joanna Merlin (audition preparation), Carolann Page (voice), Austin Pendleton (acting), John Rando (stage direction) and Ginger Thatcher (dance).

The course is four weeks in length and features hands-on training in all areas of musical theater performance, including individual vocal and dramatic coachings, song preparation, scene preparation, audition techniques, career management, dance, and master classes with distinguished artists, as well as a study of the history and impact of American musical theater. Beginning with the 2002 Professional Musical Theater Workshop, a performance workshop session combining song study with an acting class was incorporated into the program under the direction of Carolann Page and Austin Pendleton. At the conclusion of the workshop, students have individual consultations with the program faculty to review and assess their overall progress.

Program Dates

The 2008 Professional Musical Theater Workshop will be held Tuesday, May 27– Friday, June 20, 2008.

Application and Audition Procedures

The application deadline is Monday, May 1, 2008, and auditions will be held at Manhattan School of Music on Monday, May 12, 2008. All applicants are asked to prepare two songs, one up-tempo and one ballad, as well as a two minute monologue of your choosing. No dance audition is required. Along with your completed application please include three references (names and contact information), résumé, application fee ($40) and headshot. Please click here to access the PMTW 2008 downloadable application form.

Fees

Application Fee: $40 (nonrefundable)
Workshop Tuition: $1,500 (nonrefundable)
Housing: Single rooms $275/week, Double rooms $250/week

For more information or to request a brochure, please contact:

Robert H. Smith Jr. at rsmith@msmnyc.edu or by phone at 917-493-4476.