Rosie's Broadway Kids

Junior Blogger Signs Off

2009-07-31T21:38:00.002-04:00

Today was the last day of the summer intensive RBK program. I just have to say, "It's over already?" These four weeks have flown by impossibly fast; it feels like we were just starting yesterday. I said goodbye to all of the level D kids at two in the afternoon, and to everyone else after the performance. I didn't even experience half of the nerves before my solo as yesterday, and I don't think there were any mistakes (if there were, I sure didn't notice them). Before our show today we had a great rehearsal. Instead of just running all of the pieces over and over again, this is what we did. First, (for the example I use the three Matchmaker girls) the girls performed their piece. Then, each girl in Matchmaker chose someone who was not in that piece to replace them. The original girls stood at the piano and sang, while the replacements mouthed the words and did the choreography. This was a game to test how well everyone was paying attention when other acts were being rehearsed. My favorite replacements were for my song, I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta my Hair. I chose a boy to replace me, and the two backup singers chose boys, also. To make it less painful for the boys, we changed the lyrics to I'm Gonna Wash that Girl Right Outta my Hair. It was funny watching them do the girly choreography. After the show we all handed in our shoes and leotards (if we had borrowed them from RBK), cleaned out our lockers, and said goodbye to everybody.

I have to say goodbye to you, too, because this was my last blog entry. Goodbye!

Her First Solo

2009-07-31T02:28:00.000-04:00

Today was our second to last show (and this is my penultimate blog entry, also), and I think that it was a resounding success. Of course, there were a few mistakes, speeding up too much in part of our tap piece, but overall we sang well, tapped well, and acted well (as you know, singing and dancing are half acting). I was in the South Pacific song I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta my Hair, and I sang my first solo. I don't remember a thing about how I did in the song; I was so nervous that I forgot what I had just done (that happens to a lot of people). We have only one more show; Friday is the last day of the RBK summer intensive. :(

Tee Party

2009-07-29T17:48:00.001-04:00

The group B kids attended a tee party today from two to three this afternoon. No, I did not mean to say tea, as in the hot beverage made in a kettle, but tee, as in tee-shirt. A friendly woman named Megan (pronounced Mee-gan) showed us how to transform old, unwanted, or too big tee-shirts into fashionable items of clothing that we would wear every day. None of us sewed a stitch; we just cut and tied the fabric. Megan demonstrated several techniques on the art of tee-shirt transformation, and then we each got our own shirt and started to work. This hour-long class was especially helpful because all of us have several oversize RBK tee-shirts that are too big or baggy to wear anywhere. Now I can make my shirt into a halter top, a hat, a tank top, or even a pair of fingerless gloves! I made a halter, but the shirt was still too baggy so I cut and tied fringe, creating a fancy back and a more fitted tee at the same time. It was a fun class, and then we went and had rehearsal.

The First Performance

2009-07-28T21:00:00.002-04:00

Our first performance of the summer was today! It was the special performance for Rosie's friends and present/future donors to RBK. It was a big pressure knowing that all of these famous people would be watching us, but instead of detracting from our performance, we danced and sang better than before! This being an exclusive performance, it wasn't the same as the ones on Thursday and Friday are going to be. Group B only sang/danced to Show People from Curtains, Group C tapped to a song from Ain't Misbehaving, four C girls sang What's New at the Zoo, and two B girls sang Stepsisters Lament. We were a sort of opening to the show, and after us group A performed excerpts from their original musical. It used to be called Nothing Will Ever be the Same, but they changed the name and now it's called My Life: Today. The audience seemed to like us, which is always a plus, and no one made any blaring mistakes. Yay! :) Only two (I think) more performances left. Aw. :(

All the World's a Stage

2009-07-27T19:45:00.001-04:00

Last Friday was a special day for group C. Our new building is right next to a popular park that has a wide concrete space that could be viewed as a performing space. All of group C (and me, group B) went to the park on Friday, and the Cs performed two of their pieces for a rather large crowd of children. Before their little show, Thecla, one of our teachers, ran them through a body and voice warm-up, and the audience was invited to join in. Everyone was excited to see a TV camera arrive at the park, so the Cs performed with even more gusto than usual. One of their songs was Sun in the Morning, from Annie Get Your Gun, and another, a tap piece, was set to music from Ain't Misbehavin'. It was hard to hear the tapping because they were wearing tennis shoes and dancing on concrete, but they looked and sounded professional. I have heard rumors from other students that Rosie O'Donnell herself may be coming to visit us, but that is not a fact so don't get too excited. Goodbye for now! :)

One Week To Go!

2009-07-24T14:24:00.002-04:00

There is only one more week left of the RBK summer intensive! :( My group has learned many songs and dances during the past three weeks. We have a complicated tap dance and song for Sun in the Morning (from Annie Get Your Gun), another song and dance (but not with tap shoes) to Show People from the musical Curtains, and we are singing the well known song Happiness. Two B girls are sing Stepsisters Lament from Cinderella, two B boys are singing Side By Side, 3 girls are singing Matchmaker from Fiddler on the Roof, and two girls and I are singing I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair from South Pacific. We're all a little nervous about the smaller group songs because this is the first time (for most of us) we have had to sing with only one or two other people. Our first performance is next week on Thursday, and we have another one on Friday. Yay!

Walk-a-Thon

2009-07-22T23:41:00.000-04:00

The annual RBK walkathon was today! Every kid participating in the walkathon (groups A and B) raises money by asking people to sponsor them. This helps raise money for RBK, which is a non-profit program. I just found out recently that the amount of money it takes to send one kid through a whole year of Rosie's Broadway Kids is 10,000 dollars! And none of the kids have to pay anything, so it's nice to pay back a little with the walkathon. Usually we walk around Central Park, but this year we went to the High Line, an above-ground park. It was really nice because you were higher than the streets and there were lots of flowers and grasses that you don't really see in New York City. Of course, today had to be sweltering, so when we got back to our building everyone sighed with pleasure at the feel of air-conditioning. We got a sweet surprise on the roof of our building after the walk: popsicles! The walkathon is always fun because we sing all of our old and current RBK songs and raise money at the same time!

The Study Room

2009-07-21T20:20:00.000-04:00

The study room in our new building is packed with members of the B team from one to two in the afternoon. Our classes start at two, and a lot of us arrive early to use the brand new Macs. Some people watch DVDs from the building's collection. Of course there are only musicals, like Grease, The Music Man, and more. There is also a program called photo booth on the computer that basically takes pictures through a webcam. On this computer alone, there are 319 photos! The small library is kept in this room, also, and there are several plays and a whole binder of monologues on the shelves. Of course there are DVDs of musicals, and there are several books about theatre. Time flies quickly in here, so our study room has a clock in it. There is also a schedule on the wall. I think that this is the favorite room in RBK!

Day One (Again!)

2009-07-20T12:19:00.000-04:00

A whole new group D has arrived today to start their two weeks of RBK summer intensive. Today’s warm-up time was used to fit ballet shoes, shorten jazz pants, and locate missing dancewear. Of course, the boys were dismayed to learn that they had to take ballet every day, and the girls had difficulty putting on tights for the first time. In ballet class, all of the basics were covered, and some of the D groupers’ arches were surprisingly high during the releves. I joined in on their drama class, also, where they learned how to project their voice. I watched the D boys start to write their own acting piece for the final performance, and some of its components were skydiving, chocolate milk filled pools, and boys named Tea Biscuit. No major dramas have occurred today, and all of the missing dancewear has been located. Success!

Everybody Cut Footloose!

2009-07-19T20:44:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was the final performance for group D. Group D only gets two weeks of Rosie’s Broadway Kids, unlike groups A, B, and C. A whole new group D will start RBK on Monday. Anyway, I got to watch their performance, and it was amazing. There were about fifty kids, and they only had two weeks to learn two songs and dances. They also sang a third song because they had extra time! One of their pieces was the song Footloose. There were air guitars, kicks, and rhyming verses such as “Jack…get back…” and “please…Louise…” that helped convey the excitement of team D to the audience. Another song, Razzle Dazzle, was from the movie (and Broadway show) Chicago. This was the first time I had seen them perform it, and group D did it very nicely. There were a lot of snaps and “shushes” (finger to the lips) that went with the song very well. Group C also performed in the showing; they sang Sun in the Morning from Annie get Your Gun and Getting out of Town. Group A, the “seniors” of Rosie’s Broadway kids also made an appearance to sing Lullaby of Broadway. The only group that didn’t perform was mine. We’ll get a chance in two more weeks, at the end of RBK summer intensive!

Clever Choreography

2009-07-16T13:07:00.002-04:00

Yesterday afternoon the B team started learning choreography to a song called "Show People". There is one section in it that has a kick-line tempo, but Thecla, our choreographer, doesn’t want to do the obvious. So, instead of a kick-line, we are going to form a triangle with our bodies facing the left and our faces looking at the audience. Then we walk sideways to the beat, raising our arms and shaking our hands. Lori came in to watch that and the following choreography, which was very cool, and then she left and came back with some other people. They watched us do our combination over and over until our class was over.

Matchmaker, Matchmaker

2009-07-15T12:41:00.001-04:00

Today I interviewed Jassah, who is part of team B, about her private vocals.

Me: What song are you singing?

Jassah: I am singing Matchmaker with Jennifer and Nia. Matchmaker is from the musical Fiddler on the Roof.

Me: What is the song about?

Jassah: The song is about three girls who are Jewish and they have a matchmaker named Yente who finds husbands for them. This whole song is about how Chava and Hodel want a perfect match, but Tzietel tells them by impersonating Yente to tell them that they can’t always get what they want. At the end of the song they realize that getting married isn’t such a wonderful thing.

Me: Is there any acting in your song?

Jassah: Yes. There is a dialogue before the song begins, and also in the middle.

Me: Are you nervous about singing with only two other people?
Jassah: A little bit, because if I have two other people, I’m okay.

Dropping in on Drama Class

2009-07-14T19:40:00.000-04:00

Today I visited the D boys’ drama class with another B teamer (a girl). We watched them run through a little scene in where they tell the story of a boy living in a town called Imagination. It involved backpacks filled with a trillion dollars, Peter Pan, Superman, and time machines. After the boys were finished with their scene, we were invited to join them in a theatre game. We all stood in a circle and passed an action and sound around. The movements were the invention of the people in the circle, and some involved King Kong impersonations, karate chops, and more. But the funniest part of class was when they played the game called A Day in the Life. You had to pick any profession you wanted and then act out your day according to cues that Tim, the teacher, gives you. Some of them include traveling to your job or getting fired. Of course, some of the boys are firefighters, or superheroes, so the antics in the music room are very… energetic. This beginner drama is how all of the A teamers got to where they are, so it is effective.

NY Liberty Game

2009-07-14T10:22:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, July 11th, over 80 RBKids ACTE II students and their families were invited to attend a home game at Madison Square Garden of the New York Liberty basketball team. 10 lucky students were able to participate in VIP pre-game festivities, where they high fived team players center court before an arena of fans, and received Liberty basketballs and t-shirts. Here are some pictures of our kids before, during, and after the festivities - they even ended up on the jumbotron multiple times throughout the course of the game! A special thanks to the NY Liberty for making this event possible!

Week Two Begins

2009-07-13T22:03:00.000-04:00

Two of my fellow B team members and I were together with nothing to do before class, so we found the DVD of last year’s summer intensive performance, We put into on of our brand new Macintosh computers in the study room and watched the older kids’ section of the performance. They had written a play, called Nothing Will Ever be the same, and then incorporated several already existing songs into it. So really, it was a musical. However, the opening song was original, and it was almost everyone’s favorite. The ending even had eight-part harmony! The musical was about how no one really knows who anyone else is. Some of examples of this were the basketball star who secretly loved dancing, the popular boy who was hiding the fact that he was gay, and others. At the end of the show, the audience got to their feet for a standing ovation. Some of the younger RBKids burst into tears. Hopefully our future performance will be as popular with our audience!

Monologues

2009-07-10T12:22:00.001-04:00

Group B is starting monologues today! Two years of preparatory drama exercise have finally paid off, and today we will be trying out our first monologues. Most of us will use them for auditions into high schools. I asked Jassah and Josh for their opinions on monologues. Jassah is new at monologues, while Josh (a group A student) is used to them.

Me: How do you feel about doing your first monologue?

Jassah: I feel really excited; it’s my first to do one [monologue]. I’m going to give it my all.

Me: What is your monologue about?

Jassah: My monologue is about how this girl gets into detention for disagreeing with her teacher and calling him a chauvinistic pig that still lives in the nineteenth century with his macho head up his butt. I felt that I could kind of relate to this because I always disagree with my teachers.

Me: What are some exercises you have done in drama to get you ready to perform a monologue?

Jassah: We have done exercises where we say a sentence and give it meaning. For instance, if I were to say “I could be loved by you” I would have to mean something behind what I’m saying.

Me: What do you remember about your first monologue?

Josh: Well I was nervous and a little scared and it was hard to go into another character because I am so used to being myself and it is hard to change for your first monologue. For the second and third [monologues] it is easier.

Dance Your Heart Out!

2009-07-09T14:51:00.002-04:00

Today is Thursday, July 9, the fourth day of RBK, and I have already taken ten ballet classes. I am part of group B, the second oldest group in the program, so my classes are more advanced than those of groups D and C, but I still enjoy joining in on the younger student’s ballet classes. For most of the members of group D, their first ballet class was also on their first day of the RBK summer intensive program. I assisted both the D girls’ and boys’ classes on Monday, and the day after my calves were killing me. I quickly arrived at the reason for this; beginning ballet classes focus mostly on the basics, especially plies and releves. A plie is a bending of the legs, while a releve is going up onto the balls of your feet. I have heard some of the students complaining of leg pains also, but to quote their ballet teacher, “If you hurt that means you’re doing it right.” So why do I take the extra classes? I love the tap dancing, drama, and singing of RBK, but my favorite style of dance will always be ballet.

Another One from the Junior Blogger!

2009-07-08T16:17:00.000-04:00

Only three days have passed in the four weeks of the RBK summer intensive program, but already the performance numbers are taking shape. The youngest group, group D (fourth and fifth grade graduates), is working on the well-known song “Footloose.” The choreography includes very energetic strumming of air guitars, kicks, and very vigorous steps and snaps.

Group C and B are learning the words and steps to “I’ve got the Sun in the Morning” (from Annie Get Your Gun). It is still unclear as to who is tap-dancing in the intro, so everyone is learning all of the parts. Yesterday, group B learned the infamous “power step.” It is the most difficult step that we have learned in RBK.

Group A is always in a different studio than I am, but I think that they are doing some Fosse dancing. Group B is also going to be split into small group of two to three for some other acts. “Matchmaker” and “Stepsisters Lament” are some of these more individual performances. We can’t wait for the final performances!

First Post from our New Junior Blogger!

2009-07-07T15:46:00.000-04:00

This summer the RBKids Blog will feature posts from an ACTE II student participating in our 6th Annual Summer Intensive (our first at the new Maravel Arts Center).

Enjoy her first entry!

Today is Tuesday, July 7, our second day of the RBK summer intensive program. I interviewed a twelve-year-old member of Team B (who wishes to remain anonymous), the second oldest group (ages 12-13). I asked her a few questions about the new building, the program in general, and past RBK performances.

Q: What do you do during the RBK summer intensive program?

A: We do drama, ballet, tap, vocal, and theatre dance.

Q: Describe the new building.

A: It has places that we can do our homework in, a cafe so we can eat, we have a new tap studio and a ballet studio. We have our own lockers for our privacy and our own drama/vocal studio. Our computer room includes DVDs of certain plays, which is really cool because we can watch certain performances that have people that we look up to.

Q: Describe some past RBK performances that you have participated in.

A: Two years ago we did a performance based on the theme of the Harlem Renaissance. I think it was really cool because we got to try on a lot of old-fashioned looking costumes. The year after that we sang a song about freedom, and we wore clothes that sort of looked like something a hippy would wear.

Passing It On

2009-04-03T13:49:00.004-04:00

Join us at "Passing It On," an evening of star performances to benefit Rosie's Broadway Kids. Click here to purchase your tickets!

Maravel Arts Center Opens!

2009-01-26T15:39:00.003-05:00

RBKids is celebrating the grand opening of their new building tonight! The Maravel Arts Center, located in the heart of New York's theatre district, houses dance and music studios, offices, and hangout spots for the kids.

You can take a tour of the building here!

Winter Intensive

2009-01-12T08:37:00.018-05:00

Mention the code "Rosie" to receive an online discount for our Winter Intensive Workshop!

Join us for this five-day workshop with RBKids acclaimed staff at the new Maravel Arts Center in the heart of New York City’s theater district. The workshop will consist of classes and rehearsals, taught by RBKids staff with visits from the Broadway, television and film communities. It culminates in The Spotlight on Broadway Variety Show to be performed on Saturday afternoon at Maravel Arts Centers’ Russ Berrie Performance Studio.

To register your child, contact TJ Berardo at (646) 434-2274 or tj@rbkids.org

The Winter Intensive is part of Spotlight on Broadway!, the newest initiative from Rosie's Broadway Kids. Spotlight on Broadway! features classes and residency programs that allow everyone to experience the teaching excellence of RBKids.

Click here to learn more.

2008-12-04T22:58:00.008-05:00

a post from Lori

Dear friends,

As we move into the final weeks of 2008, I think it is a good time to review the wonderful year we had at RBKids, some of which you've read about on this blog! Our artistic accomplishments were many, from the PS Broadway in-school performances, and original ACTE II summer intensive final show, to our nationally televised TV appearances on Rachael Ray, Rosie Live, and Live from Rockefeller Center on NBC just last night. The ACTE II students also performed at benefits around the city- Gilda’s club, Children Affected by Aids Foundation, and at Societe Generale’s upcoming Christmas party at the Rainbow Room. We prepared ten 8th grade students for admittance into Performing Arts High schools, the results of which we will find out in the spring.

Our greatest and most pressing challenge for the upcoming year is fiscal. The economic crisis has affected us all; giving has been reduced across the board for almost all charitable organizations, and unfortunately, we've had to make cuts to the budget across all areas by cutting schools, services, and part-time staff. However, we are left with our greatest asset: the excellent teachers and their commitment to the students of RBKids.

In order to continue the important work we do, we will need your help in 2009, and I encourage you to make a donation, no matter how small, today, by visiting www.rbkids.org.

Thank you, as always, for keeping up with the family here at RBKids! We look forward to the year ahead.

Web Auction

2008-11-19T11:12:00.006-05:00

Are you unable to attend Rosie's Gala, but still want to help out? Now you can on CharityBuzz.com, where an online auction supporting the gala is currently is progress.

So if you're looking for a unique holiday gift or just want to treat yourself to something special, check out the one-of-a-kind items that the auction has to offer. You can't go wrong when you bid on items like tickets to a taping of Dancing with the Stars, a Caribbean vacation, signed Rosie merchandise, or any other of the exciting auction items! All proceeds will benefit Rosie's Gala: Building Dreams for Kids. Click here to make a bid!

Rosie's Gala Tickets

2008-11-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

$150 Show-Only Tickets now on sale for Rosie's Gala:
Building Dreams for Kids November 24, 2008
Marriott Marquis, Times Square

For $150 contribution, you can be a part of Rosie's Gala and see a spectacular tribute to Chita Rivera, performed by Broadway's finest, including Bebe Neuwirth, Christine Ebersole, the new Broadway cast of West Side Story and Rosie's Broadway Kids!

Ticket buyers will be seated at 9 PM. Tickets do not include dinner or auction. Proceeds benefit Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation and Rosie’s Broadway Kids.

For more information and tickets, call 914-579-1000.

A Very Rosie Birthday Party!

2008-11-13T17:21:00.006-05:00

RBKids is excited that our friend Kaitlin (pictured) recently hosted a Rosie's Broadway Kids birthday party! We met Kaitlin on one of Rosie's Rfamily cruises, when she participated in RBKids classes on the ship! Since then, she and her family have kept in touch with us and have even come to watch some of our classes in New York City. For her birthday, she graciously decided to ask her guests to donate to RBKids in lieu of any presents they might bring.

We know it's not easy for an 8 year old to give up gifts on her birthday, and we are so thankful for the contribution of over $350! That's enough to outfit about 4 kids in our program with dancewear.

Thank you very much Kaitlin - we appreciate that you used your gifts to give our kids one!

A Surprise Gift

2008-10-31T00:32:00.011-04:00

a post from Toni

One of our last groups of students from the first semester of our fifth-grade in-school program, PS Broadway, went to see Mary Poppins on Broadway yesterday.

Once a semester, we provide tickets to every fifth grader in each school we teach, in addition to their teachers, chaperones, and administrators. Inevitably, given inaccurate counting and absenteeism, there are sometimes extra tickets. In that case, we encourage schools to invite their own "VIP's" to ensure that no ticket goes un-seated! Yesterday, I received this lovely email from one of our schools' administrators:

"Toni, Here's a sweet story. A little girl came in yesterday morning to sign up for 4th grade. She was referred to us from the domestic violence shelter across the street. One of our 5th grade teachers had an extra ticket so the mom signed the permission slip, and she went on the trip. Her mom felt like she really got the star treatment. Can you imagine starting a new school and the first day going to see Mary Poppins? What a gift!"

Like Rosie says, every kid deserves a chance to sit "in the velvet"...

I Have Confidence

2008-10-29T19:05:00.012-04:00

a post from Jeff

Another season of NYC Public High School Arts audition preparation is upon us!

A group of 9 eager RBKid's eighth graders have been busy since September

learning Monologues and Songs...some a cappella.

In preparation for their big auditions, this November.

For some of them it is their very first audition.

A daunting experience, to say the least.

They work on making it look natural and easy.

Selections include:

"Our Town"

"Voices from High School"

"I Have Confidence"

"Kickin' The Clouds Away"

"Brighton Beach Memoirs"

They learn to breathe...

Be themselves

Enter the room

Stand still

Stop fidgeting

Be polite

Say their names clearly

Take their time

Find their pitch

Trust their impulses, and

Rely on their hours of preparation and practice.

Every year hundreds of New York City public school students audition,

and only a select few make it into a Performing Arts HS.

RBKids have a 100% placement percentage.

We are proud of this accomplishment.

So are the kids.

We Wanna See Santa Do the Mambo!

2008-10-22T14:15:00.003-04:00

Rosie's Broadway Kids were invited to record a song on the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Carols For a Cure CD for the second year in a row. Carols For a Cure, a CD recorded annually, features both classic and creative holiday carols sung by current casts of Broadway shows, and is sold as a fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The kids were excited to lend their voices once again, and recorded "(We Wanna See) Santa Do the Mambo" for this year's CD.

CD's are on sale now! You can hear the RBKids by going to broadwaycares.org and purchasing a CD today!

September Update

2008-10-02T15:51:00.010-04:00

a post from Lori

September scene:
The night before the first day of school, the perfect “first day” outfit laid out neatly, nervous excitement making sleep uneasy, anxiousness, hoping to be liked.
Dramatis personae:
Me!

For students and teachers alike September is the New Year. We usher it in with fanfare and joy. Lots of preparation, pencils to sharpen, practice runs to the schools (without a chaperone!) so we don’t get lost, and lots of supplies. It is a contradiction really; a continuum and a fresh start all at once.

PS Broadway is back in session with 800 new students in ten New York City public schools. Our fifth grade students have eagerly watched for years as their older brothers and sisters, cousins, neighbors, and friends have been treated to the gifts of RBKids. It is finally their turn!

At ACTE II we are preparing our nine 8th grade students for their High School auditions. It is at the top of our list of priorities to help these students be accepted get into the best schools. These years are life altering, and it is worth our concentrated efforts to place these students in safe and healthy environments, which challenge and inspire them. Our performance schedule is always busy in the fall, with our younger students performing at the Halloween extravaganza of “Children Affected by Aids Foundation”, while the older students are preparing for the November benefit. We just finished recording “Santa Do the Mambo” for the “Carols for the Cure” CD to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

Our bags are packed and we’re ready to go! We should be in the building any day now. I look forward to the time where we will be a family under one roof!

With Kind Regards,
Lori

The Rachael Ray Show

2008-09-11T11:56:00.002-04:00

Here's the RBKids' performance from the September 10th episode of the Rachael Ray Show!

Watch us on TV!

2008-09-08T15:16:00.005-04:00

Watch Rosie's Broadway Kids perform on Rachael Ray, Wednesday, September 10! Check your local listings for time and channel information.

"Nothing Will Ever Be The Same"

2008-08-24T21:18:00.004-04:00

Here are more pictures of the two oldest groups, Teams Broadway and Excel, as they perform in the original musical "Nothing Will Ever Be The Same."

Team Applause

2008-08-22T16:33:00.003-04:00

Some more pictures of Team Applause performing at the Summer Intensive...

Bravo!

2008-08-13T16:57:00.011-04:00

Here are some more pictures of Team Bravo's final performance of the 2008 Summer Intensive.

Pictures!

2008-08-07T15:54:00.022-04:00

Check out these pictures of our kids performing at the Summer Intensive.

Team Bravo

Team Applause

Teams Excel and Broadway perform "Nothing Will Ever Be The Same," an original musical based on their own stories

Fan Mail

2008-08-04T11:55:00.002-04:00

After seeing the kids perform last week, one of our biggest fans sent us this review of the show...

Dear Lori,

I walked around today after the RBK performance and found myself so moved by the show that I knew I had to sit down and write you. It is-I unabashedly admit-a fan letter.

I always enjoy any RBK performance. I so admire the incredibly hands on work you do with the kids, the many gifts you give them, the way you guide them to become better performers, better students, better people. Today's performance, I think, was such a glorious coming together of the talent they have as well as the people these kids are. A new high for RBK, it was-simply put-wonderful. Many words come to mind....simple, honest, sung, danced and acted beautifully. It was wonderful to see the newer kids (so talented!) and I (of course) LOVE that the Nothing Will Ever Be The Same originated from a writing workshop. Bravo! And so brave!

So I'm raising a glass to you and the RBK staff today. Cheers to you for the work you do. Cheers to both the work that performs onstage and the personal work that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. I admire your entire staff.

And cheers also to the kids. Their bravery as they strive to find themselves serves as a source of inspiration to everyone who has the good fortune to see them. Their truth telling, and their ability to remind us all how difficult it is to be that age, is a gift. This was not just a cute show with kids in it-it was a wonderful and moving piece of theater that I would have paid top dollar to see. Please pass along my praise and bravos.

Congratulations,

Sharon Wheatley
Founding member of The Rosie's Broadway Kid's Fan Club. (Let's face it-I'm a groupie. And proud of it.)

5 Minutes to Curtain!

2008-08-03T17:21:00.009-04:00

Here are some behind-the-scenes pictures of the RBKids preparing for their final summer performances.

Stay tuned for more pictures and videos of the kids on stage!

say - who was pat maravel? - rosie writes

2008-08-01T15:36:00.007-04:00

Yesterday RBKids wrapped up its 2008 Summer Intensive program with the last of four performances put on by the students for their families, friends, and industry professionals.

The next step for us is the move into our new building, the Maravel Arts Center, which will house music and dance studios, administrative offices, and spaces for the kids to use to study and relax. To find out more about the building and how you can help us build Maravel Arts Center, click here.

Below is a special post from Rosie about her former teacher, Pat Maravel, for whom our new building is named.

a post from Rosie

MARAVEL

ms maravel – a twenty something beautiful
almost hippie math teacher
who was engaged to mr pic -
the band teacher I loved instantly -

she - ms maravel -
caught me in the hall
without a pass
the third day of seventh grade

“open your locker – take out all the books”
I did – speechless
with arms full she slammed the locker door closed
“next time – detention, now go”
and I did
our first meeting
without even a hello

pat maravel died last week
nearly three decades after our rocky start.
we buried her today.
I sat today in the front row,
where she placed me from the start
inside her family.
a part of, my very own

I was born twice –
once in 1962,
to a woman who left so quickly,
I never got to know her.
I carry her name,
and from the few photos I have,
her face as well

i was born again
in 1975 to pat maravel,
a woman who refused to let go
she forced life back into my soul –
she stood solid and strong –
she showed up –
she stayed

i never got to ask her why she did it.
rescued this lost puppy of a girl,
motherless and starving
nothing special in any way
What did she see in me?

i tested her for years,
not able to trust,
still so broken.
bit I couldn’t shake her
no matter how I tried
and i did
i was her most difficult child,
she always says –
said
past tense
it hurts to breathe

will I ever stop refrencing my mother
i feel like Liza - with a z
here we go again
this old chestnut

when my mom was sick,
I thought if Barbras mom was sick,
she would go on Johnny Carson
and ask people to send a dollar and then would
and she would buy medicine
and her mom would liv
i believed that true
it’s not.
I have the money now,
and my second mom was not saved
there is no magic medicine

“do you think I am dying?”
she asked me in december
“yes” I anwsered
“me too” she said

then after a moment,
“ro, this is going to be very hard for you”
i laughed as i cried, telling her
“i could not love you more – I will look after the two you pushed out.”
she put on her glasses to get one last look
held me face in her hands
and said “now go”
i did

god has a sense of humor
she gave me two mothers
both die of breast cancer
both times I am devastated beyond words

pat maravel taught me about mothering freedom and family.
about tolerance, activism and compassion
she showed me how to live, how to love, how to give back
she had strong opinions with an open mind
and a will to live that defied doctors rules

I watched myself on 20/20
talking about parenting
i realized just today
I sounded like pat
the way I speak to my children
is the way she spoke to me

when she was dying –
almost too ill to talk
i brought an 8x10 of the kids
for her to see
she smiled with the parts of her face
that still worked

i put it on top of the dresser
in plain view – near the window
after an hour of only one word replys
i got up to go

she stared at me hard
wanting to say something
i could tell
she nodded toward the picture

“the photo pat?”
yes she nodded
i took it down and brought it to her
all emotional and dramatic
“did you want to see the kids pat?”
she rolled her eyes at me and said
no - window
then laughed

my picture was blocking her view
of the birds and trees
i got it – cracked up
then retold it to Joy, Dolores and Jessie
in front of her
she laughed every time
her closing joke

i miss her a lot
now especially
when I feel so much like myself
again

Barbara Walters asked me if my mom
would be proud of me

she was –
her name was pat maravel

she told me so

Thanks!

2008-07-31T11:09:00.006-04:00

To reward two of our students who went above and beyond in their fundraising efforts for the Walk-a-Thon, Broadway.com donated gift certificates that can be redeemed for a pair of tickets to the Broadway show of each winner's choice. Both the student who raised the most money and the student who received the most individual donations were awarded with the certificates.

A huge thanks to Broadway.com for their support of Rosie's Broadway Kids and for the generous gift they gave to our deserving students!

Tomorrow, tomorrow...

2008-07-29T17:56:00.004-04:00

In less than 24 hours, our kids will be debut-ing their first book musical - the office and studios are buzzing with activity as we prepare for our audience tomorrow afternoon!

Thanks for the comments, all - we love to hear them - and check back soon to hear about how it went!!

Walk-a-Thon

2008-07-29T15:07:00.009-04:00

a post from Lindsay

They did it! All 61 of our kids walked the 6.1 mile loop around Central Park last Tusday, with the help of eleven trusty chaperones (2 of us from the office, 6 interns, 2 parents, and 1 volunteer). Some people may shudder at the thought of being responsible for safely escorting a herd of abnormally energetic (though awfully sweet) kids 6.1 miles around a park – add to that the usual disgruntled New York City bikers, runners, walkers and occasional hot dog carts getting in your way (or maybe it’s us getting in their way – I suppose it’s a matter of perspective) and you’ve got a big job on your hands. But, in the end, it actually turns out to be a great experience for everyone – chaperones get to know each kid intimately as their personalities unfold through the stories they tell as they walk the loop, and kids feel a strong sense of accomplishment as they high five at the end of the trip. As an added bonus, we got a lot of free PR by traipsing around in our RBKids T-shirts, exploding with song and smiling faces. I hope some curious bystanders went home and Googled us!

Kicking off at about 9:30 in the morning, the walk was littered with snippets of enthusiastically sung songs (a passerby commissioned a song sung in unison by all of the kids at once, which prompted an improvised “This Joint Is Jumpin’” right about at the Onassis Reservoir), a lot of “Good morning sir! This is the Rosie’s Broadway Kids Walkathon!” and the occasional “How much longer???” Due to the promise of a Spirit Award, most kids were on their best behavior, encouraging positive thinking and keeping the pace. Lauren, one of the youngest in Team Bravo, coined our slogan for the walk, “Let’s DO this,” which was continually repeated throughout the 2 hours on the trail. Very motivational.

We made it through the “scattered showers” this morning with positive spirits, and ended the trip at around 12 noon with no injuries or lost children. Phew.

And here's some breaking news... the kids have turned in their sponsor forms and we have tallied the donations.... and they raised over $5500! What a huge accomplishment and great way for the kids to give back to this program they love.

Here are some pictures from the walk...

Great Expectations

2008-07-24T13:44:00.006-04:00

a post from Steven

I realized today that I've come to expect a lot from these kids. None of the musicians on staff really thought twice about throwing them arrangements as vocally dense as any Broadway score. We just knew they would make it happen.

And have they ever.

I picked my jaw up off the floor today as I listened to twenty kids -- all under the age of 16 -- belt out six and seven part harmony flawlessly.

Did I mention it's only been three weeks? It's not always so perfect or easy for them but today was truly magical.

Today, I saw twenty kids become a Broadway chorus.

Everybody's Free

2008-07-21T18:49:00.004-04:00

movie captured by FlipVideo

Watch as Team Applause (RBKids 6th graders) rehearse for the final performance:

What a Circus!

2008-07-21T18:46:00.005-04:00

movie captured by FlipVideo

Last Friday, company members of the new Broadway show "Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy" came to perform and teach the kids a few tricks...

Priceless

2008-07-21T15:59:00.005-04:00

a post from Tina

Rushing through crowds of business people in Midtown trying to get to work each morning, Starbucks Coffee in tow...$4.75
Subway ride to Times Square in the warm summer air...$2.00
Smiling while walking up the steps to of the studio to meet the amazingly talented kids waiting to dance...Priceless

I cannot believe we're done with the third week already...
We got through our first non-stop run through of the show on Friday, it
took about an hour. There was nothing but proud and accomplished
feeling from the whole cast. Everyone cheered and exchanged high fives
and the final chord of "Sure Looks Good To Me." To be able to see the
work that they have put in, all come together on the stage was simply
moving.
The show is going to be fantastic and they deserve it!!
I would be able to take up this whole blog page with wonderful things
to say...so until next time.

City Center Tour

2008-07-18T09:40:00.007-04:00

a post from Laura

The hard work continues for Team Bravo and Team Applause as week two begins to wind down. But amidst all the new dance combinations and voice parts, Team Bravo was able to take a field trip through the NYCityCenter Theater, currently home to the Encores! production of Damn Yankees! They walked in single file with their hands clasped in front of them, and experienced their first look out at an audience from a real professional stage. It was some of the few moments of silence we experienced this week, quickly burst by the raising of anxious hands with millions of questions!

Time to Explore

2008-07-17T16:33:00.001-04:00

a post from Jeff

The show is completely staged.
Now the hard part begins.

We've got a map...
Now it's time to explore.
Make discoveries.
Make specific choices.
Fine tune.

Some of them are already making strong choices.
Rosie always talks about stepping up
As an understudy, and making the most of an opportunity
Well, Mary is doing just that.
Singing out, taking risks
Creating moments
Setting a good example for the other understudys.

Doug is working on his vocal clarity, and improving.
He discovered that if he relaxes on stage
His diction and speech follows suit.
2 days ago he said he didn't think he could learn a speech
2 days later he knows it!

Members if the Class (Ensemble) will be writing monologues.
Each of them has the chance to create a character
From scratch...
A difficult, but important task.

For some of them, it is their first ever book musical.

For all of them, it is a great opportunity to have an unforgettable summer!

Blog ya later...

7 Days

2008-07-16T14:47:00.008-04:00

a post from Thecla

Team Bravo now has 7 days under their belts
Ballet, tap, jazz, drama and voice
Each day they enter the studios and more of their personalities are revealed

One kid asks each day when he'll be meeting Rosie
Another wonders what time she'll get to eat her lunch
Still another asks if we'll get to rehearse "Birdhouse in Your Soul"
Yes, I respond
He does a victory dance

Juggling Harry came in to teach them to juggle, some managed to juggle 3 tennis balls in less than 45 minutes!
These kids are becoming performers and most don't even realize it
They just know that they're having fun

We are too.

Watch the kids as they learn their number for the final summer performance...

movie captured by FlipVideo

Week One... and Halfway Done!

2008-07-15T09:55:00.006-04:00

a post from Jeff

One week in our back pockets.
Two to go.
Kids screamed when I said "Ten Days 'till we're in the Duke on 42nd Street!"
Mark your calendars!

Feels like it's been a month with the kids.
In a good way.

They really are working under professional conditions
Original Script
Live accompanist
Original arrangements
Professional Choreography
5 minute breaks
And...oh yeah...professional, Air-Conditioned Studios!

We put the first 30 mins on it's feet today
Looking to make transitions smooth
While the kids begin to see their work pay off.
Characters are just starting to be discovered

Kayla is coming out of her shell,
Taking on the brief role of a NYC construction worker.

Tareake is slicing up his dream dance number,
As a hip-hop lovin' superstar.

All while Kirra is expressing her passion for acting,
As she sings Pink's "Don't Let Me Get Me"
(A Beautiful arrangement by Jonnah!)

Blog ya later... but first check out this FlipVideo of the kids rehearsing the opening number!

movie captured by FlipVideo

Proud of Them

2008-07-14T09:57:00.004-04:00

a post from Lori

BLOG
Pronunciation:
\ˈblo'g, ˈbläg\
Etymology:
short for Weblog
: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer; also : the contents of such a site

Well here I go, my very first blog entry ever, anywhere! So glad you are all here for the big occasion!

I spent the week going back and forth between our two locations. (Can’t wait for the building to open, where we can be under one roof.) Seeing our newest group of students, 35 strong, exhausted, exhilarated, striving, courageous, totally courageous. Pure flame this group, burning bright and strong. Beautiful Malik saying to me “I have never worked this hard, or been so tired, but I love it! I’m not giving up.”

Then head downtown to watch our oldest of students. I listen to the opening song of the musical that they will perform in three short weeks. I know each voice, each student, every story. I know them so well. And they know me well too. When they finish singing, they all look over, have they done it? Yes, I can’t contain them, the tears. They beam with pride; my beautiful, wonderful students know they have made me happy. Onward.

Qualities of a Leader

2008-07-11T15:00:00.003-04:00

This week the youngest members of RBKids, Team Bravo, were asked what qualities they thought made a good leader... here's a bit of their insight.

Hip-Hop

2008-07-10T10:08:00.004-04:00

movie captured by FlipVideo

This summer, Teams Excel and Broadway (7-9th grades) will be putting on RBKid's first-ever full musical production of a new show inspired by the stories of our RBKids students. Reflecting the modern subject matter, the kids will be performing popular music and dances, reinvented for the stage by our RBKids staffers. Here's a video from the first week of rehearsals as the kids learn a high-energy hip-hop routine.

Field Trip

2008-07-09T17:39:00.004-04:00

a post from Lindsay

I’m usually the one in the office all day at RBKids – and I am thrilled when I have the opportunity to take a “field trip” to go and see the kids at rehearsal. (Side note – once we are in Maravel Arts Center, I will be able to simply take a trip up and down some stairs to see the kids - these days it’s a trip through Times Square and down the street to the rented studio space!)

So yesterday, I fought the Times Square tourist crowd and made it to the studios to talk to the kids about their upcoming Walkathon. It’s their chance to raise money to give back to Rosie’s Broadway Kids. They’ll be walking the 6 mile loop around Central Park this summer and are charged with the task of soliciting sponsors for their walk! Last year, they raised over $1700 at their walkathon – this year, we’re hoping to break $2000! I think they can do it.

Upon entering the 16th floor of the building where the studios are, I began hearing snippets of Broadway auditioners, stomping feet, “Do you have a headshot?” and “Next!” up and down the hallways. This space was full of theater professionals – in the 20+ studios, RBKids was just one group of many.

I walked into the studio to the sounds of our kids singing “Welcome to My Life” by the group Simple Plan. The kids - passionate, mature, talented – sang out as they rehearsed the staging to the number. Their show this year includes songs from the popular vocabulary – Alicia Keys, Simple Plan, Pink – that our staff musicians have artfully re-arranged to fit our kids and our show. This year, they’re singing what they know, about what they know. It’s moving, and it’s gonna be good.

Day Five

2008-07-09T09:53:00.003-04:00

a post from Jeff

High above Eighth Ave.
Crammed into a studio on the 16th floor
Window washers outside
Must've heard our big, harmonious sound!

Kids are realizing how big this is going to be
This show is really about 'them'
Daniel said he felt 'goosebumps'
I think we all did.

Rhapsody and Dana are hip-hop idols
Kids eyes are wide-open
when they learn the steps.

A third of the show complete
Almost on schedule!

More to teach,
More to learn,
More to discover.

End of Day Two

2008-07-02T14:10:00.004-04:00

a post from Jeff

Energetic kids
Like sponges
So much to learn
New music,
four & five part harmonies
Lots of pencils
Lots of erasers
Lots of eagerness

Hope that it all sticks over 4th
So far, they are doing their work.

Next step, singing plus staging.

It's what they love to do.

The End of the Beginning...

2008-06-27T17:30:00.007-04:00

a post from Laura

As my first week as an intern with RBKids comes to an end, I am so looking forward to what lies ahead in the weeks to come! I came here after literally years of contact with the organization, and am so excited with the outcome. I wasn't sure of what to expect, but so far, it is above and beyond any expectations I could have had.

A few of the kids have come in for fitting and different things, and you can just feel the energy and excitement that this program brings to them. I can't wait to start working with them one-on-one. I know each of us interns feels like we already know them after getting their dance bags ready over the past couple days.

What a wonderful start to what looks to be an incredible summer, and amazing experience.

Getting Ready

2008-06-25T12:17:00.013-04:00

a post from Thecla

Shyane arrived at our offices yesterday afternoon for her fittings. Each student attending our Summer Intensive is provided with all of the necessary dance clothes and shoes for the program. Her mother, brother and 2 sisters were with her. It was like a field trip. To see the looks on Shyane's face and to hear her family's reactions each time she tried on a new pair of ballet shoes or tap shoes was priceless!

Something as simple as a new pair of shoes, tights or a chiffon skirt for ballet class made her feel so special. Its just a uniform to most of us but for her it was much more...

Welcome

2008-06-24T15:35:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the Rosie's Broadway Kids blog!

Read up on our day-to-day activities, with regular posts from our RBKids staff and teaching artists.