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 2009 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.

Special Spring Workshop for Professional Musical Theater Alumni

We are very pleased to announce the formation of a special Professional Musical Theater Workshop open exclusively to former participants of our summer workshops.

The dates of the workshop are Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 13, 2009. The curriculum is similar to the summer four-week workshop, with song-study classes by Paul Gemignani and vocal lessons with Carolann Page offered, as well as acting classes, audition preparation, private vocal coachings, and dance classes.

This workshop is only open to alumni of the summer Professional Musical Theater Workshop. Please send your completed application as soon as possible. Enrollment will be limited and offered on a first come first served basis.

• To access the Alumni PMTW 2009 application form, please click here.

2009 Summer Workshop

The 2009 Professional Musical Theater Workshop will be held Tuesday, May 26– Friday, June 19, 2009.

Application and Audition Procedures

The application deadline is Wednesday, May 6, 2009 (extended from Friday, May 1). Auditions will be held at Manhattan School of Music on Monday, May 11, 2009. 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 ($45) and headshot.

• To access the PMTW 2009 downloadable application form, please click here.

Fees

Application Fee: $45 (nonrefundable)
Workshop Tuition: $1,500 (nonrefundable)
Housing: Single rooms $275/week, Double rooms $250/week (subject to change for 2009)

For more information or to request a brochure, please contact:
Abby Fennessy at afennessy@msmnyc.edu or by phone at 917-493-4547.