uccess is no accident. I t i s h a r d w o r k , p e r s e v e r a n c e , learning, studying,

sacrifice and most all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” ~ Pele

ds

so much more. All of these aspects of the audition process culminated i n a f i n a l “ m o c k a u d i t i o n ” presentation on Sunday evening.

However, beyond just spending time working diligently with our teachers, students were treated to some one-on-one time with our special

industry guests; Actress and Stagedoor Alumni, Charlotte Maltby (Maria - National Tour of Sound of Music) , Actor, L ’ogan J ’ones ( B r o a d w a y - S p o n g e B o b Squarepants: The Musical), Sam Yabrow - Abrams Artist Agency, Danielle Pretsfelder - Casting Agent from Nickelodeon, and Kim Grigsby (Broadway Musical Director - Amelie, Spring Awakening, Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark). On Saturday evening, students and staff took in a Broadway show, enjoying

t h e m a g i c o f S p o n g e B o b Squarepants: The Broadway Musical.

With so much to be thankful for and kudos to share for making our first- ever workshop such an adventure, I just wanted to offer my sincerest gratitude to all those who made it possible: Michael Blatt, John Bronston, David Carl, Mason Huse, Camille Johnson, Larry Nye, Diontey McDonald, Adam Quinn, Lindsay Ricketts, Maggie Samen, Cindy Samuelson, our students and the industry guests we mentioned previously.

Our path is just being paved and we cannot wait to share our future Stagedoor Manor Studios successes with each of you. ~ R.S. ~

Students engaging in a Larry Nye dance routine

Special Guest, Charlotte Maltby & the students

STUDIOS ALL ACCESS Monthly Newsletter

November 2017 - Volume 1, Issue 2STAGEDOOR MANOR STAGEDOOR MANOR STAGEDOOR MANOR STAGEDOOR MANORSTAGEDOOR MANORSTAGEDOOR MANORSTAGEDOORMANOR

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“SAs November is coming to a close, we’ve had time to reflect and process the outcome and overall results of our first ever Stagedoor Manor Studios Audition Technique Workshop. It can be best summed up from a note we received from a parent at the conclusion of the weekend. The note simply stated:

“We would absolutely sign up again if it’s offered, as I think it was a tremendous experience for all of the kids.”

With November being the month for giving thanks, where do we even begin? Without the talents, passion and exceptional dedication from our incredible team of staff, as well as our students, we could not have made the Audition Technique Workshop the success that it turned out to be.

A weekend filled with learning, laughter, creativity, exploration and a cast of amazing special guests, Stagedoor Manor Studios delivered on its promise to provide a remarkable and unique experience for all our students.

These students had the opportunity to spend time with some incredible guest artists and industry professionals in a curriculum designed to stretch their talents, explore their abilities and challenge them in a busy 3-day weekend of non-stop theatre.

Each student involved was given the opportunity to work closely with our staff and focus their energies on monologue work, vocal technique and 16-bar cut selection, dance styles and

The Students & Staff of Stagedoor Manor Studios Premiere Workshop - Audition Technique

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If you missed our Social Media Takeover, here is a bit of what occurred at our first workshop. Audition Technique - November 10th - 12th

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This month, we had a chance to sit down and catch up with Stagedoor Manor Alumni, Kate Berman, and talk about writing, what she’s been up to and how Stagedoor changed her perspective.

What years did you attend Stagedoor Manor and how did that change your perspective of the performing arts?

I attended Stagedoor from 2000-2005. I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania on the border between suburbia and farmland, and I didn’t really know that the performing arts could be a professional endeavor before my summers in Loch Sheldrake. Aside from developing my skills, Stagedoor gave me models of working professionals and peers. Many of the people I met at camp are still my closest friends and collaborators.

What were some of your favorite memories during your time as a camper? Perhaps something that will always stay with you?

“Trashed, totally trashed.” Who could forget those words? Or that experience waiting in line at the Playhouse?

Treasuring a chipwich from the canteen. Getting dressed with my roommates in now questionable attire for a dance. MOVIE NIGHT. Bawling with euphoria during Our Time Cabaret. Testing my artistic muscles with Players Ensemble.

Stagedoor Manor was the first place I was consciously fully myself. I remember sitting in the bathroom on Main 2 and peacefully thinking, “I am truly happy.”

What college did you attend and which career path did you choose? What inspired you to pursue that route?

I started acting because I was drawn to the way theater bui lds community. I understood from camp that a shared experience, whether uplifting or tragic, unites people. In college at Yale, I studied cognitive science to discover how the brain understands stories and sought training to become ‘an athlete of the heart.’ I enjoy the combination of technical rigor and ferocious play and the power of art to change hearts. Nothing brings me as much joy as creating a performance.

What are you up to these days? Projects? Jobs?

I currently audition and create my own work. This includes everything from traditional musicals, plays, or films that others direct, to pieces that are born from me.

I’m currently working on a piece of theater for social change about women in the military. I wrote the script after interviews and forums with veterans, and the cast features both civilians and veterans. We perform for audiences of the same make-up and invite the audience to interview characters and make changes to the play. In this way, the audience generates solutions to the problems posed by the play and rehearses potential interventions.

I also teach math and at times have worked a variety of odd jobs: law firm, shoe line launch, events, wine tastings.

You’ve been involved in some very exciting writing projects, can you tell us a bit about those?

The project I mentioned earlier, Other Than Honorable is the piece I’m most excited about right now. I have also devised an adaptation of Madam Bovary with an ensemble of actors. Aside from creating work for the theater, I occasionally write personal essays and instructional math materials.

What has your experience with Playwriting Festivals been like?

The actors, directors, and writers, were often the same people in a mad frenzy to try something new. It felt like throwing spaghetti against a wall. And it was usually delicious.

In your honest opinion, what makes a strong writing piece and why?

Honestly, drafts and rewrites. A willingness to follow the juicy stuff even if it is leading somewhere you did not intend to go. If you write exactly what you set out to write, it will likely be stale. Only by venturing into the unknown can you discover something.

If you had the opportunity to offer one piece of advice to future writers, what would you want to express to them?

You cannot edit before you create!

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what career/job would you love to have?

I might be a behavioral economist or a statistician. I like math.

CURTAINS UP

Studios, Inspiration, Creativity & Stuff

Stagedoor Manor was invited to perform, on October 19th, at an event for the New York Times that honored 7 individuals that were featured in their Sunday T Magazine “Greats” covers. Stagedoor Manor students came from all around the world to participate in this event. Lin Manuel Miranda introduced the group who then sang; “I’m Still Here,” “Our Time” and “Broadway Baby,” in honor of Stephen Sondheim. Before the students performed on stage, Lin Manuel came into the backstage room to say hi to the Stagedoor Campers where he invited questions from the group. Questions included how to improve their writing career, what was his favorite 90’s musical (Rent), and what it is like writing hip hop compared to electronic music. He encouraged the students to get into music that was outside their genre, which can include anything from a K-pop musical to rock music. After they performed, Nicki Minaj came on stage to say hello to the Stagedoor Campers. She spoke about how she started in her musical career, and even attended the same high school as Stagedoor camper, John Mauro, who was there! As the Stagedoor kids left the theater as briskly as possible, they remained in awe of the amazing experience that they all just shared.

STUFFSo…what’s the story with those pictures of Lin Manuel Miranda & Nikki Minaj

with Stagedoor kids?

Photo courtesy of the Stagedoor Manor Twitter Account

Photo courtesy of the Stagedoor Manor Twitter Account Please click either photo to follow Stagedoor Manor on Twitter

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Ben Platt & Beanie Feldstein,

the High School “Soul Mates”

Who Made It to Broadway Together

Article by Josh Duboff of Vanity Fair

Click the photo to read the full Vanity Fair article featuring

Stagedoor Alumni, Beanie Feldstein &

Stagedoor special guest this past summer, Ben Platt

Photo courtesy of Vanity Fair Photograph by Lauren Margit Jones

VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!VANITYFAIRARTICLE!!!

INSPIRATION

CREATIVITYSee what some of our amazing Alumni & Campers are up to!

Jeff Theiss is currently working as Keyboard & Associate Conductor on Broadways The Band’s Visit. Shawn Levy has been busy as Executive Producer for Stranger Things on Netflix and has numerous other projects in the works.

Etai Benson is currently playing the role of Papi in Broadways The Band’s Visit. Luke Weaver cast as Peter Cratchit, youth ensemble and Student Scrooge understudy in A Christmas Carol at Zach Theatre in Austin, TX.

Shaina Taub - Musical Theatre Songwriter - has received the 2017 Fred Ebb Award!

We always love hearing what our Alumni, Stagedoor Campers and Staff are up to. Drop us an email at:

info@stagedoormanorstudios.com and fill us in. Perhaps you may see your name in an issue of our upcoming Newsletter.

DON’T FORGET TO APPLY FOR OUR NEXT WORKSHOP TAKING PLACE

IN THE NEW YEAR.

24 Hour Playfest January 12th - 14th

Click this button to apply DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS JANUARY 1, 2018

CLICKME!!!

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LEAVE THE GHOST LIGHT ON

Maggie Samen Producer/Program Manager

Hayley Samen Producer

Joel Samen Producer/Head of Marketing

Rob Scharlow Artistic Director

Adam Quinn Assistant Artistic Director

Don’t forget to follow us on Social Media. Click on the icon to start

following us.

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Stagedoor Manor Studios ~ www.stagedoormanorstudios.com ~ info@stagedoormanorstudios.com ~ 845-434-4290 (Summer) ~ 781-863-5335 (Winter)

COMING IN OUR DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

A surprise Q&A

A survey of what’s to come in 2018

Learn even more about our staff and who will be with us for our next

Workshop in January 24 Hour Playfest

And more!!!

KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL THINGS STAGEDOOR MANOR STUDIOS BY

JOINING OUR MAILING LIST! CLICK HERE AND SIGN UP ON OUR WEBSITE.

IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO RECEIVE THE NEWSLETTER, PLEASE EMAIL

info@stagedoormanorstudios.com WITH THE SUBJECT LINE REMOVE NEWSLETTER

If you are unable to join us for our upcoming Stagedoor Manor

Studios Workshops, we’d love to see you be part of our incredible

summer program. Now accepting applications for 2018.

2018 SESSIONS Session 1

June 18 - July 8, 2018 Session 2

July 9 - July 28, 2018 Session 3

July 30 - August 19, 2018

Click the Stagedoor Manor Logo For More Info

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Workshop Corner

24 Hour Playfest January 12 - 14, 2018

Create a script and bring it to life for an audience. In addition to writing/directing, participate in a Master Acting Workshop!

Behind The Scenes February 16 - 18, 2018

Expand your skills to all aspects of producing a show. Direct, Design, Stage Manage and Crew. What it takes to get the curtain up!

APPLY NOW

* All workshops are subject to change

Food for Final Thought… Many of us have spent our lives making a career in the performing arts and we understand the difficulties of being away from home during the holiday season. Whether our journeys take us touring as spirited actors, minstrels of music, technical theatre masterminds or even the speechless playwrights themselves, it’s never easy to be away from the one place and the group of people who makes us who we are, home and family.

Even though being away from home and family during the holiday season can weigh heavy on our hearts and minds, one thing remains constant about this profession and those that surround us - Family. We, as the dedicated thespians who devote immeasurable hours in order to provide patrons with 2 hours of escape, can find a comfort and a solace from within those that we share this excursion with. From those that we spend countless hours rehearsing with, magicians who make us look magnificent on the stage, musicians who create harmonious sounds and even the artistic team that creates masterful stage pictures and moments. These people are our family - perhaps not our immediate family, or perhaps they are - that we can rely on to share stories with, comfort and believe in us, open up to and even shed a homesick tear with.

As each show passes, our family grows larger. We discover new “relatives” and and expand our friendships with those that engulf the same passion we share - the love and magic of theatre.

Always remember that no matter where you may be, what road you are traveling, which show you might be performing to entertain the masses and just can’t be home with family during certain points in time, you can always rely on those theatre folk that are just as much your family and home as the real thing.

W e h o p e y o u h a d a j o y o u s Thanksgiving. From our family to yours. All the best.

STAGEDOOR MANORSTUDIOS STAFF

LOOKING AHEAD