Musical Theatre Training: The Broadway Theatre Project Handbook

An essential guide for any aspiring Broadway performer

“The Broadway Theatre Project is the most well-regarded intensive training program for aspiring and current professionals in the Broadway community seeking employment as actors, dancers, and singers. Drawing on several extraordinary and accomplished Broadway veterans, this book serves as a collection of lessons by those who have led the way. It also includes testaments of those who have joined the professional world in the past decade.”--Justin Mabardi, stage manager, LeRéve, Carmen, and Nights on Broadway

“As a performer, you strive to achieve Broadway greatness; Musical Theatre Training offers training, insights, and knowledge from past and present Broadway legends, instructors, and students who have and, for decades to come, will continue to define theatre as we know it today.”--Gregory Vander Ploeg, general manager, touring productions of Rent, The Producers, Annie, and Hairspray

Musical Theatre Training is the product of nearly two decades of intensive work and careful honing of the craft by what Playbill calls “the world’s most prestigious musical theatre arts education program.”

Written by project cofounder and noted choreographer Debra McWaters, it explains the methods used by the Broadway Theatre Project to train those pursuing a career in musical theatre. It includes the lessons and advice of cofounder Ann Reinking and past instructors such as Ben Vereen, Joel Grey, Jeff Goldblum, Julie Andrews, Terrence Mann, Tommy Tune, and the late Gregory Hines, among others.

McWaters covers techniques and approaches to dance, voice, acting, and the creative process. Unlike any other book, she also emphasizes auditioning techniques, stress management, collaboration, how to create as well as perform, managing finances on the road, and the many other skills necessary to become an informed, well-rounded performer.

Debra McWaters has assisted with the choreography in such Broadway productions as Chicago and Fosse and was the director/choreographer on the international company of Fosse. She is the artistic director and cofounder of the Broadway Theatre Project at the University of South Florida.