The summer went by so quickly! This time of year traditionally is full of activity, with performers from all across the country coming to New York City to “test the waters” of the Big Apple. I have been busier than ever, and I was happy to meet new clients from over twenty United States.

I’ve had a great time co-teaching Musical Theatre Audition & Performance Workshops with well-known Los Angeles acting instructor Diane Hardin. Diane comes to New York City only four times a year, and she and I have put together an exciting workshop for kids and teens. I handle the music and singing, and Diane gave valuable acting advice to each performer.

Diane Hardin created Young Actors Space in Los Angeles after a successful acting career. Her weekend intensives and week-long summer acting sessions are in great demand when she comes to New York City. Her list of famous students includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Biel, Robin Wright Penn, Hillary Swank, Toby McGuire, Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal, Alison Mack [Smallville], Kellie Martin [Mystery Woman] and many others.

We’re doing another Musical Audition & Performance Workshop this October in New York. Each workshop will be held on a Wednesday evening from 6:00-9:00, and limited to 10 students.

Each student should bring a memorized song, with the sheet music. We work on specific music and performance issues and give professional advice. Parents are invited in for the final 45 minutes to hear the results and ask questions.

Once again, we’ll be at Nola Studios on West 54th Street. The fee for each of the workshops is $175. There are only a couple of spots still open. To register for the New York City workshops, contact me at bob@bobmarks.com. For more information about the Los Angeles workshop, contact Diane at diane@dianehardinacting.com.

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY

Internationally known voice teacher Jeannette LoVetri has created the one-of-a-kind Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University, with attendees from all over the world. I was pleased to be asked back to this prestigious annual symposium, and presented lectures on selecting songs for auditions, making logical 16-bar music cuts, and stage presence. Subsequently, some of the participants sang in a Master Class, where their performances helped spark more discussion and learning about how to best serve the needs of students in the world of musical theatre auditions. I was proud to share the day with noted otolaryngologist Dr. Gwen Korovin, who presented an information-packed segment on anatomy and medical conditions of the throat.

ACTEEN Workshop

In June, I conducted a special musical theatre workshop for Rita Litton’s ACTeen program in New York City. The talented students were from all across the USA, and it was so nostalgic to be back in the same Weist-Barron studio that I worked in for many years creating musical theatre programs for kids and teen.

WORKSHOP in NEW JERSEY

I was pleased to hold an Audition/Performance Workshop for YouthSong, the studio of Toni Bilotti Cecere, at its 2007 Performing Arts Camp in Ramsey, New Jersey. Toni’s week-long intensive camp is held each summer for students who want to develop their skills in singing, acting, and dancing. This year’s camp curriculum included scene and monologue work, improv, audition preparation, vocal technique, repertoire development, and dance training, culminating in a performance on the last day.

THE AMAZING MR. T

My old friend Maureen Mershon, who is producing a documentary about how one person can affect the lives of many young people through the arts, interviewed me recently for the film. The working title is The Amazing Mr. T. I had the opportunity to work as musical director with “Mr. T” (Elliott Taubenslag) when I was a teenager. His children’s theatre productions have been captivating audiences throughout the nation since 1964, and he’s still going strong more than forty years later!

AMERICAN TALENT SHOWCASE

Every July, I make what has become an annual trip to the Carolinas to participate in the American Talent Showcase. It is run by Donna and Terry Ehrlich of Z-1 Models & Talent and the warm, supportive atmosphere makes this a highlight of my travels. This year, the event was held at the lovely Sea Trail resort in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. I had the opportunity to conduct a performance workshop, teach private students, and judge the singing competitions. I’m already looking forward to attending in 2008!

TALENT AMERICA

The national finals of Talent America were held in the lovely Brooklyn Marriott Hotel. For many years, I’ve presented performance seminars for the contestants, and I’ve also served as a judge in both the kid and teen divisions. George and Jane Eastwood are always the perfect hosts for this event.

If you’re in the vicinity of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, do yourself a favor and catch the Fulton Opera House production of West Side Story. After winning critical acclaim playing Maria at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars (her first Equity job) and the Carousel Dinner Theatre in Akron, Ohio, client Stephanie Iannarino performs the role again, this time accompanied by the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. She does a thrilling job in a thrilling show, and if you’ve only seen the movie, you don’t know what you’re missing! This production runs through September 30th. More information can be found at www.thefulton.org.

COMING UP...

TERRI TROIANO in Nobody Does It Like Me at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (at the West Bank Café) October 20th and November 16th at 7:00. (Reservations 212-695-6909)

Back Stage Bistro Award Winning cabaret performer KATE LOITZ returning to The Duplex in her newest show, Vagabond. Fridays, January 11, 18 & 25 at 7:00. (Reservations 212-255-5438)

That’s all for now… Hope to see you in the fall!