Theater News

Anastasia's Ahrens and Flaherty, Michael Urie, and More Join Broadway Dreams Tour

Broadway artists will travel the country coaching aspiring theater professionals.

Anastasia songwriters Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens join the faculty for the Broadway Dreams tour.
Anastasia songwriters Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens join the faculty for the Broadway Dreams tour.
(© David Gordon)

Broadway Dreams has announced the cities and dates for its 2017 Summer Intensive tour, #ComeTogether.

The international nonprofit will visit eight U.S. cities as well as Toronto, Canada to offer its unique brand of performing arts training. Broadway directors, performers, and industry insiders will offer highly personalized musical theater training and mentoring through week-long performing arts intensive workshops for students of all ages, skill levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds. At week’s end, students will perform alongside their Broadway idols for an audience, including industry professionals and decision makers.

The 2017 #ComeTogether Summer Intensive tour will launch at the Walker School in Marietta, GA and Buford Fine Arts Center in Buford, GA (June 4-10) followed by stops at RWS Studios in New York City (June 11-17); the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles (June 18-25); Theatre Aspen in Aspen, CO (June 25-July 1); Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC (July 29-August 5); the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia (August 5-13); and Sheridan College in Toronto, Canada August 20-27).

This year's Broadway Dreams faculty will include Tony winners Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens (Anastasia), Stafford Arima (Allegiance), Emmy nominee Spencer Liff (Falsettos), Tony nominee Dan Knechtges (Xanadu), and Otis Sallid (Smokey Joe’s Café), Craig Burns and Rachel Hoffman of Telsey Company, Jaime Harris of Clear Talent Group, and a variety of Broadway performers, including Nick Adams (Wicked), Todd Buonopane (30 Rock), Jenn Colella (Come From Away), Quentin Earl Darrington (Cats), Erin Dilly (A Christmas Story), Tyler Hanes (Cats), Christopher J. Hanke (Odd Mom Out), Tony winner Shuler Hensley (Young Frankenstein), Alex Newell (Glee), Ryann Redmond (Bring It On The Musical), and Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Buyer & Cellar).

Additional 2017 faculty members include Landon Braverman, Alexis Cara, composer Bobby Cronin, Greg Graham, Ari Groover, Nadine Isenegger, writing team Marshall Pailet and Drew Fornarola, Maxx Reed, MiMi Scardulla, author Crystal Skillman, Matthew Scott, director Alan Souza, and Jenn Webber.

"I couldn’t be more proud of what our organization has achieved in just over a decade," said Annette Tanner, Broadway Dreams Founder and President. "To date we have visited over 45 cities and several countries, including Russia, Brazil, and Sweden; we have watched more than 11,000 students transform into stars, including 43 who have landed roles on Broadway; and we have awarded over $1 million in scholarships to deserving students. There is no other program out there as connected in the industry and as dedicated to their students as we are at Broadway Dreams. If you’re serious about your future as a performer, I encourage you to join us in one of the eight cities we’re visiting this summer."

For more information about Broadway Dreams, click here.