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Ben Vereen Awards commissions second piece, honors students

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The Ben Vereen Awards has commissioned Bradley J. Behrmann as composer for the 2017 Wellness Through the Arts (WTA) program.  This is the third year of the program and the second commission for Behrmann.  In conjunction with the esteemed musical theatre competition, the WTA (a pet project of Mr. Vereen himself) solicits essays from San Diego area high school students who have faced issues with bullying and obesity.  Five winning essays became the raw material for a new piece of musical theatre.  Members of the J*Company Youth Theatre rehearsed the piece and performed it at the Ben Vereen Awards on May 28, 2017 at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego.

“This year, the five essay winners told us stories of their struggles, and the issues they’re wrestling with challenged their very identity,” said Behrmann.  “Each of them, however, found a home in the arts, and through that, they realized they didn’t need to be defined by outside forces.  The theatre helped them find the strength inside.  As I read their essays, the phrase that kept repeating in my head was ‘You are enough.’ That became the main hook of the song.”

Read about the 2016 Ben Vereen Awards here.

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Summer 2017 brings return to San Diego

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New York City is great, but what can compete with a summer in Southern California?  Bradley J. will be returning to San Diego to teach for La Jolla Playhouse as part of the Young Performers Workshop and Young Performers Academy programs as well as for San Diego Junior Theatre June-August 2017.  Private studio time will also be available for lessons or coachings in musical theatre or classical voice for singers of all ages.

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Bradley J. judges 2017 Ben Vereen Awards Wellness Through the Arts Competition

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WP_20160606_13_32_08_ProOne facet of the Ben Vereen Awards that deals with the holistic health of high school students is the Wellness Through the Arts (WTA) program.  In conjunction with the esteemed musical theatre competition, the WTA (a pet project of Mr. Vereen himself) solicits essays from area high school students who have faced issues with bullying and obesity.  Five winning essays become the raw material for a new piece of musical theatre.  This year, Behrmann served as judge for the essay competition.

At the 2016 Ben Vereen Awards, members of the J*Company Youth Theatre performed the original piece “I Am,” composed by Behrmann with lyrics adapted by Jamie Gilchrist.  The following excerpt is from the performance on May 29, 2016 at the Balboa Theatre in San Diego.

See original article on the Wellness Through the Arts commission here.

First NYC performance with Broadway Artists Connection April 17

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bacpicThe Broadway Artists Connection (BAC) presents its season kick-off event, “Broadway Artists & Friends Open Mic & Mingle,” hosted by six-time Broadway veteran Heather Parcells on Monday, April 17th at 6:30pm (doors open at 5:30pm).

The evening will be kicked off by a stellar lineup of Broadway pros, followed by selected artists at the legendary Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Performers and audience will be treated to an up close view of artists newest works (mash ups, duets, pop tap, original songs, classics), make invaluable industry connections and support our community of artists.

Broadway artists performing include: Charlie Marcus (A BRONX TALE, PETER PAN); Beth Nicely Johnson (SOMETHING ROTTEN, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, WHITE CHRISTMAS, SPAMALOT); Hollie Howard (HAIRSPRAY, MAMMA MIA!, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN); Lawrence Merritt (PIPPIN, ON THE TOWN, APPLAUSE, DEAR WORLD, GOLDEN RAINBOW, NO WHERE TO GO BUT UP, NO STRINGS); Sarah McLellan (42nd STREET); Erin Kernion (Radio City Rockette). Charles West (SCARLETT PIMPERNEL, CYRANO); D’Vorah Bailey (CANDIDE & Cabaret artist); Abbie Cooper (42nd STREET ALL SHOOK UP, WHITE CHRISTMAS Nat’ Tour) Kate Wesler (PIPPIN Nat’ Tour); Heather Parcells-HOST (TUCK EVERLASTING, FINDING NEVERLAND, SOUL DOCTOR, WONDERLAND, A CHORUS LINE, CHITTY, CHITTY BANG, BANG); Musical Direction by Brad Ross.

Producer: Tamlyn Brooke Shusterman (42nd STREET, Dame Edna). Associate Producers: Malini Singh McDonald & Will Branner. Stage Manager: Will Maitland Weiss.

The fun continues as selected artists & friends take the mic to sing for NYC Casting Director Jason Styres, who will be crowning two participants the “future of Broadway.”

Selected performers include: Shelby Andersen, Austin Archer, Max Bartos, Bradley J. Behrmann, Will Branner, Gregory Driscoll, Jazley Genovese, Grace Gramins, Lindsay Grant, Jarrad Green, Jessica Humphrey, Megan Jenkins, Molly Jevans, Kelsey Ryan, Sean Seymour, Rayme Sciaroni, Samantha Tullie

To find out how you can sing in a BAC event, email info@broadwayconnects.org. TICKETSon sale now. $20 cover (plus $20 food & beverage minimum per person) For more information, visit www.broadwayconnects.org.

The Broadway Artists Connection is a charitable nonprofit that nurtures artists of all levels (Broadway, aspiring, re-entering & under-served) by providing opportunities for them to perform, make industry connections and participate in mentoring programs. TICKETS ON SALE NOW.

[Article re-published from BroadwayWorld.com on March 28, 2017.  See original article here.]