DESTINATION BROADWAY



A complete, comprehensive, unique and exclusive performing arts "Broadway Workshop"  
 

Click here for Audition Schedule

FAQ's

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About
 Michael Rafter and Destination Broadway

 

1. Who is Michael Rafter?

          Michael Rafter is a well-known, Emmy Award winning Broadway Music Director.    Michael has been Music Director for numerous shows on Broadway including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tap Dance Kid, The King and I, Violet, The Sound of Music, Swing and Sunset Boulevard.  Michael is the founder and director of the Destination Broadway summer workshop program for young people ages 8-18.

 

2.  What is the Destination Broadway summer workshop program?

          Destination Broadway is a one-week, intensive workshop held during the summer in New York City.  Acceptance is by invitation only following a personal audition with Michael Rafter.  There are classes in dance (how to master an audition combination quickly), voice (what to sing at an audition), acting (monologue, reading for an audition and scene work), audition technique, how to prepare and conduct yourself at an audition, and what casting directors look for. 

                                            

3.  Why is this course being offered to young people ages 8-18?

          Michael Rafter, like a handful of professionals on Broadway, feels that it is important to help young people that are trying to excel in the performing arts.  There are very few opportunities for 8-18 year olds to learn from professionals currently active in the profession.  The Destination Broadway program is an opportunity to learn exactly “what it takes” to be successful in the performing arts. 

 

4.  What are the qualifications of the Destination Broadway teachers and staff?

          Absolutely fantastic!  These are all professionals on Broadway.  Mary McLeod (Fosse on Broadway), Valerie Wright (Damn Yankees on Broadway) and Mary Ann Lamb (Chorus Line on Broadway and the movie) were the primary instructors in 2006.  Michael Rafter and the 2006 teaching staff have over 50 Broadway credits among them.

 

5.  My son or daughter will most likely never go to Broadway or even pursue a career in the performing arts.  Is there still a benefit to this course?

          Absolutely!  The skills essential to success as a performing artist are the same skills essential to 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 essential life-skills.  This workshop teaches those life-skills using performing arts as a vehicle.

             

6.  What OPPORTUNITIES does the Destination Broadway program offer?

 

·          Students work directly with Emmy Award winning, Broadway Music Director Michael Rafter in vocal training and coaching.

·          Dance classes are taught by Broadway professionals.  Four of the dance instructors performed with the opening night cast of Fosse on Broadway.

 

Our 2005 Class………

 

·        Performed at Fordham Theater at Lincoln Center with Sutton Foster who won the Tony Award for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie!

·        Recorded the theme song for a TV pilot in New York recording studios!

·        Worked with Idina Menzel (the Green Witch in Wicked!

·        Met the cast of Hairspray!

·        Spent an hour with the casting director for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Fiddler on the Roof.

·        Worked with three Tony Award Winners!

 

And Great Things Happen…….

 

·        The Editor of Dancer Magazine visited our classes in New York City and wrote a feature article on the program and the Destination Broadway students.  Look for the article in the November 2005 edition of Dancer Magazine!

·        TWENTY Destination Broadway students were selected to audition for Broadway shows and did so during their week in New York!

·        One of our students was recommended by Michael Rafter and selected to sing as a soloist on the Disney Junior Broadway CD Collection!

 

 

7.  How do students get accepted into the Destination Broadway program?

            Destination Broadway is unique in that students are accepted only after a successful audition.  We conduct auditions in several cities each year as well as at selected StarQuest Dance Competitions and ConQuest Dance Intensive programs. 

             Over the past few years we have conducted auditions in Durham (NC), Nashville, Fairfax, Columbus (OH), Pittsburgh, Arlington, Woodbridge (VA), Southern New Jersey, Baltimore, Virginia Beach, Hampton/Newport News (VA), Williamsburg, Richmond, Albany, Binghamton (NY), Fredericksburg (VA), York/Lancaster (PA) and New York City,

            The audition consists of a one-on-one interview with Michael Rafter.  Each student will be asked to vocalize and may sing a song of their choosing.  There may be a dance portion to the audition as well. 

            Information about upcoming auditions is posted on the website and is constantly updated through the year as we select new audition locations.