Am I Eligible?

Broadway Bound LIVE is open to individuals who meet the following criteria:

• between the ages of 18-28 as of February 5, 2023

• are able to demonstrate financial need through ONE of the following:

  • FAFSA EFC score of 7500 or below (based off of 2020 taxes)

  • Qualification for SNAP/TANF benefits

  • 2021 Tax Return demonstrating income at or below 200% of the National Poverty Level

    • for a single individual, this means income at or below $27,180 for 2021

    • exceptions may be made on a case by case basis or due to significant change in income since 2021.

    • after casting is complete with all eligible applicants, we MAY accept applicants up to 300% of the National Poverty Level ($40,770) to fill additional slots if any remain.

• are based in the US and are legally able to reside and work in the USA

• have graduated high school or obtained their GED

 

What if I have no real training?  

We expect that many low-income students have had very little access to training. That is actually how this show got started--we just wanted to provide training. Now we can provide training for 16 weeks, and then AMDA takes it from there with serious level training to truly prepare you to be a Broadway performer. You will have an incredible opportunity to work with incredible professionals during the season, and those that go off to AMDA will have even more incredible opportunities, as their faculty is DEEP with Broadway professionals. ​

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Can I have a perusal script of the season to decide if I want to participate? 

No. This show, much like other competition shows, contains many surprises along the way and the challenges are all top secret until they are revealed on the show. Even some of your production crew has no idea what is coming! What we can say is that every challenge will relate to being a professional entertainer, with a specific emphasis on musical theatre. You can expect that the challenges will focus on some element of the audition process, or the triple threat formula (singing, dancing, acting), on camera or stage presence, improvisation, or a combination of any of these elements. We can also guarantee that we will not be subjecting any of our contestants to weird, gross, or unrelated challenges. Our goal is to find the best candidate for Broadway, not to embarrass you on television. 

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Why aren't contestants paid? 

This show, much like most competition shows, pays its contestants in the experiences, networking opportunities, and training that lead up to the grand prize. We do, however, provide ample time for you to be able to work, we are happy to help you find work with one of our many partners, and we will even help you build a professional resume the very first week you are here. You will also be insta-famous... not on instagram--in real life, as you will be starring in a television show that will broadcast across the nation. You will work with film and Broadway professionals every single week and whether you win the grand prize or not, your opportunities as an entertainer will greatly widen because of your participation in this show. 

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Can I audition for other film work while on the show?

Absolutely--and call backs will have two SAG Talent Agents on the adjudication panel in case you need an agent. Note that you will need to be aware of the schedule and make sure you don't miss competitive events. If you get booked on something and need to miss a rehearsal or something, this will impact your points, but if it's just a rehearsal, you will probably be ok. 

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What should I expect at Callbacks? 

Call backs will be limited to no more than 30 potential contestants,

18 of which will be retained as the official cast of Season 2.

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Call backs will include required paperwork and registration, an on-camera intake interview, dance workshop on Friday evening, in-person auditions on Saturday. Your adjudication panel includes two SAG Talent agents, two vocal coaches, and an acting coach. Auditions will include live performance of a vocal piece, monologue, and group dance auditions.

 

What to bring:

• Paperwork: Government-issued photo identification

• Proof of eligibility (FAFSA EFC, SNAP/TANF Eligibility, 2021 Tax Returns, or bring 2021 wage reports or current pay stubs if needing assistance with eligibility)

• Clothing appropriate for on-camera interview—business casual and free of logos, graphics, and distracting patterns. No hats.

• Comfortable clothing that you can move in for the dance workshop, appropriate shoes for dance (jazz shoes are best if you have them—do not buy shoes if you don’t have them!), water bottle.

• All black clothing you can move in for dance auditions.

• Black dress with choice of solid colored sash or black slacks with choice of solid colored  button down shirt for auditions. Black dress shoes. NOTE: if you need assistance acquiring these items, we can assist you once you are here.

• Please do NOT bring a hard copy of headshots / resumes. We will already have these and do not need additional copies.

 

Tentative Itinerary:

Friday:

Intake appointments all day (by appointment)

12:00pm: Optional luncheon and meet & greet (location TBD)

3:00pm-400pm: Audition Masterclass with Casting Director, Elizabeth Gabel

4:00-4:30pm: Orientation & Welcome with Director, Candice Neu

4:30-6:00pm: Dance workshop with SAG Talent Agent / Model Coach / Professional Dance & Choreographer, Deidre Michelle Baca

6:00-8:00pm: Open rehearsal time

 

Saturday:

9:00am-10:00am: Group A Vocal and Monologue Auditions

10:05-10:20am: Group A Dance Auditions

 

10:30am-11:30am: Group B Vocal and Monologue Auditions

11:35am-11:50am: Group B Dance Auditions

 

12:30pm-1:30pm: Group C Vocal and Monologue Auditions

1:35pm-1:50pm: Group C Dance Auditions

 

2:00pm-3:00pm: Group D Vocal and Monologue Auditions

3:05pm-3:20pm: Group D Dance Auditions

 

3:30pm-4:30pm: Group E Vocal and Monologue Auditions

4:35pm-4:50pm: Group E Dance Auditions

 

6:00pm: Closing Ceremonies & Announcement of Cast of Season 2

7:00pm: Exit interviews & Dismissal

 

8:00pm: Optional After Party (Location TBD)

 

Travel and accommodations are the responsibility of the potential contestant.

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Are travel and accommodations covered for call backs?

Just like any other film or Broadway audition, travel and accommodations are the responsibility of the individual applicant. This is for two reasons--first, it is important that we set the standard high for those who are interested in this program. The expectations of Broadway will not change, and this is an industry standard practice. All of your auditions, training, and associated costs are YOUR responsibility prior to being cast in a show. Secondly, our show is incredibly expensive to put on, so we simply do not have the budget to pay for training for 16 weeks for our entire cast, provide housing during the run of the show and ALSO cover travel for those who are interested but not cast in the show yet. 

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Are travel and accommodations covered for the run of the show if I am cast? 

Travel to and from Albuquerque is not covered, however housing will be provided for those that are cast who live more than a 90 minute driving range from Albuquerque. 

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Can I ask local businesses or my family to sponsor my travel and accommodations? 

Absolutely! And we are happy to provide a letter regarding your invitation to callbacks as well as an itinerary. You are also welcome to shout out business sponsors while you are at call backs on our official social media and other platforms so that they can receive some publicity for their sponsorship.  

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Can I work or attend school while participating?

Absolutely. And it is encouraged. We can even help with job placements through our many partners and sponsors. Broadway Bound LIVE is filmed on nights and weekends only, so contestants are free during regular business hours to work or attend school.

 

Do I really have to live in Albuquerque?

Yes (or within a reasonable driving range). The show takes place over four months (February 4, 2023-May 28, 2023), with rehearsals and classes several nights of the week and competitive rounds or events weekly.

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Can you tell me more about the schedule so I can plan my life? 

Sure! In general, lessons / rehearsals will be held Sundays 3-5pm, Tuesdays 6-8pm, Thursdays 6-10pm. In addition, you will work with your vocal coach an hour a week, on your own schedule, and you will also film video interviews on Thursday afternoons between 2-5pm (you'll select a weekly time slot). Competitive events happen on Friday evenings, Saturdays, or Sundays. You will receive an official calendar at orientation on February 5th if cast in the show. There WILL be other rehearsals / film dates / events outside of this, but you will have plenty of time to plan for these things, as the calendar will be set and published by February 5th. 

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What if I have a trip planned during those months?

Unfortunately any time you miss from the show will greatly impact your score and you are likely to be eliminated. We will have a break in early April, official dates TBA at orientation. 

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How do I know if Broadway Bound LIVE is right for me? 

Obviously, this is a very personal decision with MANY important factors to consider. Here are a couple of things to think about if you are considering Broadway Bound LIVE.

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• Do you have a genuine passion for musical theatre and want to pursue a career as a musical theatre professional? If so, then Broadway Bound LIVE might be a good fit for you. Broadway Bound LIVE creates a pathway to professional musical theatre. Not only will you receive 16 weeks of training, but you will also get to network with Broadway and Film professionals. This will help you to expand your network and answer all the questions you have about the realities of working in this industry.

• Do you have the self discipline and drive to attend rehearsals several times a week, to train in your own time, and to be a professional entertainer? You might be thinking that you currently have no training and therefore you should not even try. YOU ARE WRONG. This program understands that many participants may have had absolutely no professional training. This program provides intense training in voice, acting, and dance. It will prepare you for the next phase of your training--training at a collegiate level with Broadway professionals teaching your classes in the heart of New York City. What YOU need to bring is the determination to keep going when things are tough, to practice outside of rehearsal, and the professionalism to make smart career--forward choices. We will handle the rest.

• Do you have a desire and ability to attend a performing arts college in New York City in Fall 2023? If you win this competition, you will be awarded essentially a full ride scholarship to move to New York City, live in the dorms, and attend full time college at AMDA College of the Performing Arts.

• What if I don't want to go to AMDA? That's a great question. And the answer is another great question---what opportunity do you currently have that is equal or better to AMDA? If you do not have a different option, AMDA is a great option, and because of the school's continued support of programs like these and its history of turning out Broadway stars for decades, we believe that AMDA is a GREAT choice. And if you think about it--no other performing arts college stepped up to the plate, but AMDA did--they JUMPED in and said YES! Let's make a path where there was not one before. If you have another option to pay your way to New York City and to provide you with incredible professional training, networking, and housing for up to four years, then by all means, go do that. But for most of the population, this is an incredible life-changing opportunity.

• Are you ready to change everything about your life and go chase your wildest dreams? Honestly, embarking in the pursuit of one's dreams is absolutely terrifying. I get that. It is not for everyone. But if you wake up dreaming about performing on The Big Stage in The City, find yourself bursting into song or dance, and deeply believe that "where words fail, music speaks"--you will find yourself at home at Broadway Bound LIVE.