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The Broadway Theatre Project (BTP), or the Broadway Theater Project, is an training program in musical theatre for high school and college-aged students held on the campus of the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Florida, U.S.. [1] It was founded by the Tony Award-winner Ann Reinking, [2] under the name The Musical Theatre Project of Tampa. [3] [4]
Students accepted into the program are referred to as "apprentices" and are divided into groups reflecting their dance experience, vocal/acting experience and age for more individualized training. Programs offered include acting, voice, and dance. [5]
Classes are taken every day of the project, typically from 8:30am to 5:00pm with an hour lunch break, and block rehearsals for numbers within the final showcase are from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Students not in block rehearsal continue with group classes for that time period.[ citation needed ]
Throughout the project, guest artists often visit to have a question-and-answer session with apprentices and usually give a master class during the day to share their knowledge of the industry. Guest artists have included Terrence Mann, Ashley Brown (former apprentice), Charlotte d'Amboise, Ben Vereen, Gregory Hines, [3] Savion Glover, Julie Andrews, Patrick Wilson (former apprentice), Phylicia Rashad, Stanley Donen, Frank Wildhorn, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff and Tommy Tune.[ citation needed ]
Students are housed in suite-style dormitories for the length of the project and are not permitted to leave. [6] The project concludes with a Broadway-themed revue at The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. The performances are notorious for being presented minimalistically, as students dress completely in black and perform on a bare stage with a cyclorama.[ citation needed ]
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