A new level of Performance
WNY teens perform at Broadway fundraiser
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Members of both Teen to Teen groups - one from Western New York and one from New York City - stand together at the 19th annual Broadway Cares/Equity Fight Aids Gypsy fundraiser.

Western New York youths from the Academy of Theatre Arts Teen to Teen program were once again asked to perform alongside professional Broadway actors and actresses for the 19th annual "Gypsy" production fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fight AIDS.

However, this year they were asked to perform by themselves.

"Last year they performed with the cast of 'Rent,' and they loved us so much they invited us back to do our own skit this year," said Dina Slawson, director of the Academy of Theatre Arts. "We are the only non-Broadway group asked to perform, which is a huge compliment to our organization."

The Gypsy production has been used by Broadway Cares as a fundraiser for several years. Current casts of many Broadway shows come together to perform in order to raise money.

The Teen to Teen group, which couples Western New York teenagers with teenagers from New York City who share a love of stage performing, presented an array of pieces from various shows that are currently on Broadway, including, "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "A Chorus Line," "Legally Blonde" and "The Color Purple."

Teen to Teen members, from left, Maggie Antalek, Michael Dentico, Greg Slawson, Emilee Valler, Andrew Pryshlak and Frankie Campofelice, pose with Laura Bell Bundy, second from right, who has been nominated for a Tony Award for her starring role in the Broadway show "Legally Blonde." Bundy was one of several Broadway performers with whom the students spent time in December for the Gypsy fundraiser.

"It was held in the New Amsterdam Theatre, so that was really thrilling for the kids," Slawson said. "Not just performing, but being able to sit backstage and talk with Broadway performers and experience what it's like to be part of tech rehearsal. It was an all-encompassing experience."

While the experience of performing was thrilling for the students, Slawson noted that the Broadway performance is one way that Teen to Teen can spread its message of self-empowerment and acceptance of the differences in individuals.

"It's not just the use of their talents, but that they're able to use theater as a way to express themselves," Slawson said. "It doesn't matter the differences between us; we're all the same. There are special and unique things about everybody."

According to the mission statement, Teen to Teen "brings together the two very different worlds of suburban and urban young adults ... and gives its members the chance to eradicate all racial and cultural misconceptions and prejudices they once had and share the similarities of their dreams, obstacles, fears, and talents through the genre of theatre."

The Gypsy performances were held on Dec. 17 and 18 and were affected by the 19-day Broadway strike in November.

"The show was originally scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4," Slawson said. "We were also nervous because the day we flew out was the Sunday of the snowstorm, and we weren't sure we were going to get out."

For next year, Slawson is hoping that the group will be invited back but also has her sights set on a bigger project.

"We're hoping to partner with 'Save the Music,'" she said. "Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, who were in the original cast of

Rent,' have shown a lot of interest in what we're doing, so we're thinking of doing a professional performance that's a full-length show with Teen to Teen performers and professionals."

While that performance will most likely be held in New York City, a smaller scale performance would be held in Western New York.

For all of their experience with Teen to Teen, Slawson said that many of her students understand the rigors and competitiveness of the industry and are therefore searching out other venues for their talents and passions.

"One of my graduating seniors is going into theater education, another one is going into music education and another wants to go into cultural studies with a theater minor," she said. "This is a catalyst for most of them. They want to be involved in the theater because it's their passion, but ending up on Broadway isn't necessarily a reality."

For Slawson, however, the performances come second to the message and goals of confidence building and connection between young people who would otherwise never have met or found common ground with one another.

"When you see a bunch of suburban kids from an affluent area hugging and crying (with) kids from the inner city because they don't want to leave them, it's incredibly powerful to watch."