Local teen theatre group lights up Broadway
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Members of the Teen2Teen Theatre Group recently had the chance to perform with professional Broadway actors in the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway in New York City.

On Dec. 4 and 5, 16 teenagers from Western New York experienced something that most people never do — they performed on Broadway.

The teens, ranging in age from 14 to 18, were part of the Teen2Teen Theatre Company, a nonprofit organization that uses theatre as a means of teaching racial tolerance, self-esteem and cultural diversity.

Members of the group are Elizabeth Hamsher, Arthur Mahsh, Michael Dentico, TJ Wright and Emily Neimanis, all of East Amherst; Lara Barnes, Kelsey O’Gorman, Lauren Slawson, Brad Gelber, Michael Pecararo, Adam Yellen, Sarah Mye and Brianna Lanoye, all of Williamsville; Julia Corbett of Amherst; Frankie Campofelice of Elma; and Ali Louis of West Seneca.

They performed at the Neil Simon Theatre with professional Broadway actors,

“Performing with the actors was inspiring and quite emotional,” said Dina Slawson, Teen2Teen director. “The company

did a wonderful job, and the audience was blown away by their professionalism and poise.”

The Teen2Teen program is a joint program between Western New York and New York City. Slawson, who is also the artistic director and owner of the Academy of Theatre Arts in Williamsville, heads up the Western New York Chapter, and her partner, Phillip McAdoo, heads up the New York City branch.

During the third week of August, each branch auditions teenagers in their respective areas,

choosing only 16 to participate in the intensive workshops during the year.

Fifty-eight teenagers auditioned for the program this year, Slawson said. Though the program, which is still young, may expand in numbers, Slawson hopes to keep the group small to ensure the effectiveness of the workshops.

“What we’re doing is so intensive, I don’t see it being productive with a larger group than 20,” she said.

The auditions consist of singing and dancing portions as well as interviews and a written essay. Every year, participants will have to re-audition for their spots with the company.

While in New York City, the theatre group performed with the current Broadway cast of “Rent,” singing a group number from the musical and a piece that was written by Teen2Teen members.

“There weren’t many dry eyes in the house after that,” Slawson said. “It was such a huge honor to perform with these actors, and this will hopefully lead the program to bigger and better things.”

Slawson also noted that she hopes this experience will open doors for her young actors professionally.

According to Slawson, the audience at the Dec. 5 performance included people from all walks of life. She mentioned celebrities Cynthia Nixon, Martin Short and Ana Gasteyer, as well as Broadway performers and producers and the general public.

“It was people from all walks of life,” she said.

After the theatre company’s success on Broadway, Slawson is looking toward the future of her young program.

“We hope that this will be a catalyst for future productions,” she said. “Our dream is for us to one day have our own show.” She also hopes that the program will expand nationwide.

For more information on the Teen2Teen Theatre Company or on the Academy of Theatre Arts, visit www.academyoftheatrearts. com or www.teentoteen. org.