I was introduced to this opportunity by my prior dance teacher. Destination Broadway is a one week (Sunday – Saturday) learning experience held at a studio in New York City. Students and their parents stay in Secaucus, NJ which is near exit 16 off of the New Jersey Turnpike. We stay here because it is cheaper than staying in a hotel in New York City. Sunday night is the first night and there is a reception to go over rules and expectations as well as a reunion if you have been a prior camper.
This summer will be my 4th time at Destination Broadway. I auditioned when I was 10. I had to sing a song in front of two of the teachers that would be at the camp, Valerie Wright and Tiffany Haas. At the time, Tiffany was on Broadway performing in Wicked as the backup to one of the leads. Valerie Wright has performed in many shows including Annie Get Your Gun, Cats, and Song and Dance. When they asked me to sing, I sang Popular from Wicked and was offered a spot at the camp.
During the week, you spend time on all skills needed for Broadway, dance, acting, singing and auditions. Dance is primarily jazz, ballet and tap. All of our teachers are or have been on Broadway or work with Broadway shows. We usually leave the hotel early in the morning and return after dinner. On Wednesday, we leave a little later because we go to a play in the evening and then have an opportunity for a talk back with several of the actors from the show. A talk back is held after the play is over and the actors come out to the audience (who are allowed to stay – not everyone can) and answer questions. We can ask questions about the show or about their careers and how they got started.
Shrek, Billy Elliot and Anything Goes are the plays that we have gone to while at Destination Broadway. All were great plays and I have seen Shrek and Billy Elliot twice.
On Saturday, we put on a small showcase of what we have worked on, it’s not a recital and we aren’t in costume but we show our parents and family what we have worked on during the week.
Every year, we have a poster contest and the theme is the week of camp. I have won the award twice.
Michael Rafter is one of the founders and teachers at Broadway Destination and says it best:
A word about Destination Broadway.....
The skills essential for success as a performing artist are the same skills essential for success in life. One-on-one communications, successful job interviews, speaking to a group, setting goals, making great 1st impressions and presenting a positive image are all essential life skills. Destination Broadway teaches these life skills using performing arts as a vehicle.
--Michael Rafter
I enjoy and look forward to this week every year. I have made some friends, none of which are local but that’s ok we meet the same week every year and enjoy our classes together.
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| This was my poster for my first year at Destination Broadway. |
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| This was my poster for my third year at Destination Broadway. |
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| This is a picutre of Mr. Rafter and me the first year of my Destination Broadway experience. |
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| This is a picutre of Mr. Rafter and me the second year of my Destination Broadway experience. |
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| This is a picutre of Mr. Rafter and me the third year of my Destination Broadway experience. |
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