Everyone’s talking about the Super Bowl but now that the 49ers are out and I’ve previewed most of the super (and not so super) commercials I’m much more interested in what’s going to happen after the game. I’m on a countdown for the premier of Smash. I’ve watched the pilot three times!
Finally, just finally, and it took Stephen Spielberg to do it, someone has produced an intelligent character driven story about dreams, about talent, and about connectivity. The characters in Smash are so real with such real conflicts in their lives that everyone can relate to them. For those of us who happen to be in the same line of work it’s a great sense of recognition and credibility for who we are and how big we dream.
This isn’t intended to be a review of Smash but rather a discussion about the “real deal.” I’d never thought much about that phrase until the first year of our New York City summer camp workshops. Within 24 hours after the program ended I started receiving e-mails and letters from parents and students thanking US Performing Arts for what they said was the real deal. Of course I knew what they meant but I like words and phrases and I like to get to their origin. Here’s what I found out. The real deal means something or someone genuine, authentic, or worthy of serious regard. Now that was a compliment of the highest recognition.
Living up to the definition of the real deal takes constant evaluation. First it means constructing a curriculum that has professional expectations of training emerging artists in their craft. It means a staff of highly qualified authentic Broadway performers with teaching skills worthy of serious regard. It means nurturing students to success and most important it means that those teachers are dedicated to the program 100% and not just making a quick appearance so that their name may be used. Our faculty works in the trenches with kids. Year after year students have worked with faculty like Harolyn Blackwell, Baayork Lee, and Donna McKechnie to name just a few.
This year’s New York faculty is summing up to be as exciting as always. Whether you’re looking for a Broadway Styles Dance Camp, a Dance Conservatory, a Musical Theater Camp, or a Broadway Conservatory we have the Broadway experience that’s the real deal! On top of that, each camp will help prepare you for your next step – college.
For everyone who has dreams of Broadway we’re here to help you achieve them. Dream B I G, work hard at your craft and enjoy your journey.
If you’re a young actor, or a parent or teacher of an emerging artist, guiding them towards making their dreams a reality, finding the right training programs can be a difficult task. If your child is between the ages of 11-18, US Performing Arts has the perfect summer camp experience for the student who dreams to act for the camera. The team of 
When you think of summer camp you certainly don’t think of Broadway or New York City but our very successful Broadway Conservatory, Musical Theater Camps, Acting Camp and Dance Camp attract students from all over the world. In all honesty they’re not camps in the outdoor “let’s build a bonfire type of camp” but they do fit the definition of camp and our students and parents tell us we’re the “real deal!” 
Today we received word that DNA Studios, located at 280 Broadway, a stone’s throw from our summer camp residence at Pace University, has the space we need. Not only do we have the appropriate and necessary studio space but we also have a really great performance space for our “work in progress” showings! We can now officially announce that our NYC program will be held this year at DNA. A good secure building within easy access of Long Island commuters, not bad for our Jersey families, and a dream come true for our residential students! And, as always, a place where professionals are rehearsing in studios adjacent to ours. So if you want to go to a pre-professional summer camp to be part of a like-minded group at a dance camp, musical theater camp, acting camp or a Broadway Conservatory, all taught by top Broadway professionals, come join us this summer in NYC. 