BAMtheatre Announces Virtual Arts Programs for Students

BAMtheatre Announces Virtual Arts Programs for Students 1 In response to the stay-at-home orders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, BAMtheatre has reimagined its musical theatre-focused programming through BAM @ a Distance, a host of virtual classes and activities to keep students connected. BAM has also engaged its community of students and staff to create a virtual choir performance to benefit the Chicago Artists Relief Fund, now available for free streaming. Since 2001, BAMtheatre has provided outstanding and creative educational theatre opportunities to over 1000 students annually.

In response to the stay-at-home orders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, BAMtheatre has reimagined its musical theatre-focused programming through BAM @ a Distance, a host of virtual classes and activities to keep students connected. BAM has also engaged its community of students and staff to create a virtual choir performance to benefit the Chicago Artists Relief Fund, now available for free streaming. Since 2001, BAMtheatre has provided outstanding and creative educational theatre opportunities to over 1000 students annually.

Broadway Spotlight Workshops

Every Monday, BAMtheatre presents Broadway Spotlight Workshops with featured guest artists who teach master classes and host Q&A sessions. Upcoming workshops include:

Monday, May 11 from 6:30 – 8 pm CST: Master class with two-time Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes (Cinderella, Bonnie & Clyde).

Monday, May 18 from 7 – 8 pm CST: College audition workshop and Q&A with Laura Duncan, Boston Conservatory Head of Admissions.

Monday, May 25 from 7 – 8 pm CST: SIX Dance Captain Mallory Maedke teaches choreography from the hit musical.

June programming will be announced shortly, including a living room concert performance with Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist and playwright Jason Robert Brown.

Virtual Book Club

BAM also hosts weekly Virtual Book Clubs for grades 3 – 8 (Tuesdays) and high school and college aged students (Wednesdays), in which students come together to read through and discuss musical theatre scripts. Recent titles included James & the Giant Peach, Wicked, Waitress, Tuck Everlasting, Beauty and the Beast, Heathers, and others. Upcoming shows include:

Juniors (grades 3 – 8 pm):

Tuesday, May 12 from 5 – 7 pm CST: Shrek

Tuesday, May 19 from 5 – 7 pm CST: Thoroughly Modern Millie

Tuesday, May 26 from 5 – 7 pm CST: Annie

High School and College:

Wednesday, May 13 from 7 – 9:30 pm CST: Kinky Boots

Wednesday, May 20 from 7 – 9:30 pm CST: Catch Me If You Can

Wednesday, May 27 from 7 – 9:30 pm CST: Beetlejuice

June musicals will be announced shortly.

To register for Broadway Spotlight Workshops and Virtual Book Clubs, please visit www.bamtheatre.com. Single passes and memberships are available.

Supporting the Arts Community During COVID-19

BAM has also organized special projects to service both its local community and the larger community of artists deeply affected by this pandemic. The first project included a Virtual Choir project to benefit the Chicago Artist Relief Fund, a fund organized to support Chicago artists during this time of crisis where most have lost all of their opportunities to work. For this project, BAM brought together its entire community of staff, students and even parents to participate in a virtual choir performance of “Any Dream Will Do” from its anticipated 2020 summer production, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The project raised over $1000 for the Artists Relief Fund. To watch BAM’s Virtual Choir video for free, click here.

BAM, under the leadership of Artistic Director Melanie Lamoureux, continues to expand these programs, and additional programming is in the works! True to BAMtheatre’s mission, all of these new programs focus on education, collaboration and the creative process. Additionally, the goal of these programs is to connect students with their art and with their community in a time when they need it most. BAM is unique in the education and training it provides its students. The emphasis of every program is on the process instead of the product, and a positive environment that encounters every student individually. These virtual programs are no exception, and in fact have grounded the company in their mission to cultivate a space in which students can freely develop into the expressive and joyful beings they are! BAMtheatre offers a variety of programs throughout the entire year suitable for actors as young as three through high school, college, and young professionals.

About BAMtheatre

BAMtheatre was established to create opportunities for youth to receive professional musical theatre training and education. Our students go on to study theatre and music and leading educational institutions including NYU, University of Michigan, the Boston Conservatory, and others. BAM teaches performance and love of theatre in a fun, energetic and engaging manner. Summers are filled with programs suited for students of all ages. Through workshops, discussions, and master classes, BAM performers receive the best training and learn not only about performance, but every aspect of theatre.  For additional information, visit www.bamtheatre.com.