Broadway star Charlotte D’Amboise leads young performers in a choreography session during a 2007 summer musical theatre camp at Western Carolina University.

Auditions are under way as Western Carolina University offers an opportunity for young artists to experience the art and craft of musical theatre performance with Broadway stars Terrence Mann and Charlotte D’Amboise this summer during the Triple Arts Broadway Series.

Scheduled for Sunday, July 20, through Sunday, Aug. 3, the two-week workshop will include all aspects of musical theatre performance: audition techniques, song interpretation, scene study, dance techniques and master classes.

Auditions for the workshop are scheduled throughout January at locations in North Carolina and Georgia. Performers ages 16 to 22 are invited to attend. An audition session is set for 1 until 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at WCU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center. Auditions also are being held in Charlotte, Raleigh and Atlanta.

“We are looking for young actors, singers and dancers who are passionate, focused and dedicated to the art of musical theatre,” D’Amboise said. “It’s for all levels of performers.”

Those wishing to audition should visit www.wcu.edu/5583.asp to obtain the audition sign-up form. Applicants should e-mail a copy of the form to the address indicated, and bring a copy of the sign-up form, a resume and a headshot to the audition. For those under age 18, the form must be signed by a parent or guardian.

“Participants will eat, sleep and dream musical theatre for two intense weeks,” said Mann. “The intensity of the workshop will give a young performer the sense of what it’s like in the business of musical theatre.”

Participants in last year’s inaugural workshop, called “Broadway in the Mountains,” gave rave reviews to the experience. “They pushed me further than I’ve ever been, and supported me every step of the way,” said Sara Larcher of Dillsboro.

Joshua Allen of Sneads Ferry agreed. “We learned some of the toughest dances from Broadway. The choreography’s amazing,” Allen said.

A two-time Tony Award nominee, Mann is the Carolyn Plemmons Phillips and Ben R. Phillips Distinguished Professor in Musical Theatre at Western. Mann originated the role of the Beast in the Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast,” earning Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for best actor for his performance.

Highlighting Mann’s stage credits are roles he originated on Broadway: Rum Tum Tugger in “Cats,” his Tony Award-nominated performance as Inspector Javert in “Les Miserables” and his portrayal of Chauvelin in “The Scarlet Pimpernel.”

Actor, singer and dancer D’Amboise, also twice nominated for a Tony Award, made her Broadway debut in “Cats” in 1983. She starred as Cassie last year in the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of “A Chorus Line.” D’Amboise also played the role of Roxie Hart in “Chicago,” first heading the 1997 national tour and then joining the Broadway revival cast in 1999.

Attendance at the auditions is free. The cost of the summer workshop, including tuition, room and board, is $1,999.

To learn more about the workshop, visit www.wcu.edu/4779.asp or contact Western Carolina University’s Division of Educational Outreach at (828) 227-7397 or (866) 928-4723.

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Last Modified: Jan. 11, 2007