"NEXT!" Audition Preparation
"NEXT!"
An Audition Preparation Course
At PPAC August 5-9, 2024
Become a QUADRUPLE THREAT!
Beyond training to sing, dance, and act, auditioning is its own “talent” and has its own techniques. Producers, directors, musical directors, and choreographers are looking to see your professionalism, preparation, and confidence, all unique to the audition process. To even get in the room, in most audition processes, you need to first “break-through” with a digital submission.
“NEXT!” prepares participants for the process of musical theatre auditioning whether that be on Broadway, at a college or university, or in the community. This five-day, 9 AM-5 PM program includes the following:
- Professional guidance on the selection of your audition songs.
- Professional guidance with finding 16 bar cuts for your songs.
- Coaching sessions for your selected songs.
- Dance sessions that will teach you the basics in Tap, Ballet, and Jazz.
- Professional guidance with preparing your resume.
- An information session on college applications, and overall career paths.
- A mock dance call with a professional choreographer.
- A mock singing audition with a panel of professionals.
- One-to-one Feedback from the panel.
All participants end the program with a professionally recorded audition submission to help “break-through!”
“NEXT!” is a program of the Providence Performing Arts Center designed and created by Tony Parise, Director of PPAC’s Next Stop BROADWAY summer musical theatre intensive.
TO APPLY
Due to the one-to-one nature of the work, enrollment is strictly limited to sixteen participants. The strongest applicants will have a demonstrated passion for musical theatre with a track record of pursing this passion.
The program is designed with 16 to 20 year olds in mind; however, applicants demonstrating the appropriate combination of maturity, passion, and experience will be considered.
The first application deadline is March 1. After that, applications received by the 1st and 15th of each month will be reviewed as long as space remains.
To apply:
- Email next@ppacri.org with 1) a performance resume addressing your relevant experience and skills and including your contact information and 2) a one-page essay on your passion for musical theatre and desire to enroll in “NEXT!”
- Upload a 1-2 minute singing video with your first and last name as the title of the file here
- Complete a “NEXT!” Scholarship application if financial support will be needed
In addition to using your video and resume submissions as part of program admission, “NEXT!” will also use these as jumping off point for our work with you in strengthening your preparation for the audition process.
Once accepted, the program fee is $650. There are four $600 need-based scholarships supported by an anonymous family which will be awarded to the strongest submissions with the highest need.
For more information about “NEXT!”, please contact Ricky Gresh at next@ppacri.org.
ABOUT THE STAFF
Tony Parise, Program Creator / Director
Tony Parise began his professional theatrical career as a performer at the age of 10 in a production of OLIVER! with Sid Ceaser. He appeared in the first national tour of A CHORUS LINE, and was on Broadway in 42ND STREET, ME AND MY GIRL, and CITY OF ANGELS.
On the other side of the footlights, Mr. Parise has directed and/or choreographed HELLO, DOLLY starring Madeline Kahn, WHERE'S CHARLEY? starring Jo Sullivan and Emily Loesser, MAME starring Sandy Duncan, and national companies of ANYTHING GOES, GREASE!, 42ND STREET and ME AND MY GIRL.
Off-Broadway credits include choreography for PIRATES OF PENZANCE, (Lucille Lortel Nomination), and co-direction and staging for BALANCING ACT, by "Mr. Nunsense", Dan Goggin. Other New York credits include MACY'S 100th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION in Herald Sq., MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, and choreography for Bernadette Peters' Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall debuts.
Teaching credits include master classes throughout this country and abroad with such organizations as: AMDA, Boston Ballet, New Zealand School of Dance, and the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. Tony created TAP! and TAP 2! for Fleet Boston's Family Music Series. He has also crafted many special educational programs for students interested in Musical Theatre and coached hundreds of pre-professional performers including Tony Award winning, Ali Stroker.
Cassandra Marsh, Music Director
Cassandra is a critically acclaimed pianist, vocalist, and musical director. As a pianist, and cabaret artist, she has performed throughout Boston and the country. She received her BFA from Ithaca College with additional studies at The Royal Conservatory in Toronto, The Longy School of Music, and The American Music Center. She has musically directed over 80 shows both regionally and professionally, including the 1st National Tour of TONY N' TINA'S WEDDING.
As an educator, she has taught at The Merrimac Repertory Theatre, The Middlesex Summer School for The Arts, Winthrop School of Performing Arts, and The North Shore Music Theatre. Currently, she teaches piano, voice, and theory privately and is a staff accompanist at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Cassandra has written and produced three one-woman shows and is currently working on her latest installment, PIANO MAN. She also composed and wrote the book for ALICE, a musical adaptation of the Lewis Carroll story, and composed the music for LE CABARET GRIMM, which ran at the BCA in Boston and in NYC at the New York Musical Festival. Her current musical is LITTLE KING, a Musical Satire, heading to NYC in 2024.