Rachel Zegler as Maria
(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC (PAS) has announced auditions for Evita, as its renown summer musical program returns for its 10th production. The auditions will be held April 20-22, 2023.
The program was developed by Alexander Diaz, who was recently appointed to be bergenPAC new Executive Director after starting with the organization as the Creative Director at the Performing Arts School. Building on its success, a junior musical program was created for younger students to experience performing on the big stage. Diaz also directed A Christmas Carol for bergenPAC’s holiday lineup and a concert version of RENT at Englewood Health, as part of a National Mental Health Awareness Month initiative.
“It has been a wonderful experience to see the summer musical grow since 2011,” Diaz says. “I am encouraged by our new creative team to keep the production value high and provide an incredible summer for the students.”
The PAS summer musical provides high school and college students with a pre-professional experience under the guidance of bergenPAC’s teaching artists. After COVID-19 and theater construction forced a hiatus, the program is ready to take centerstage once again this August.
This year’s production will be directed by Diana Gonzalez-Morett, a multi-media creative producer with extensive experience working with young performers. She’s joined on the creative team by longtime Choreographer Rebecca Sonia and Musical Director Glenn Gordon.
“The summer musical program is in one of the best programs the PAS has to offer and is known within the arts education community as one of the best educational programs in the area, acting as a transitional tool between high school, college and professional musicals,” Sonia said.
Gonzalez-Morett teaches at the PAS and knows how respected the summer musical program has become.
“This is why I am excited to create a space for young emerging artists to harness their individual talents and fully immerse themselves in a pre-professional experience,” she said. “My favorite part will be the beautiful supportive community and the irreplaceable bonds that come from making theater together.”
Nearly 2,000 young performers have come through the program since its inception, with alumni attending top college theater programs and landing roles in film, TV, Broadway, and touring productions.
“I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the tri-state area’s top talent and often wish I had a program of this caliber when I was training,” said Sonia, who earned membership to the Stage Directors and Choreographers union through her experience with the musicals.
Rachel Zegler (shown at the top of this article) performed in two summer musicals, including playing Maria in 2017’s West Side Story. She was then picked by Steven Spielberg to reprise that role in his 2021 film remake. She’ll also be seen on the big screen next week in the Shazam! sequel.
After performing in the most recent summer musical, The Producers, A Christmas Carol, and RENT, Mya Rodriguez is currently training at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts.
The creative team is excited to see who will be next to shine on bergenPAC’s stage as they prepare to present this Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic that opened on Broadway in 1979 with Patti LuPone.
“Evita is a powerful and challenging musical, one that this summer our young performers will deeply investigate and bring its iconic songs to life,” Gonzalez-Morett she said. “I look forward to the bergenPAC community supporting our local young talent. It is amazing how that support can be the fertilizer for young performers' future careers in the arts.”
Audition Dates and Sign-Up Information
General Auditions:
Thursday, April 20, 6:30pm-9:30pm
Friday, April 21, 4:00pm-7:00pm
Saturday, April 22, 10:00am-2:00pm
Callbacks:
Friday, May 12, 6:00pm-9:00pm – Vocal/Side Callbacks
Sunday, May 21, 1:00pm-4:00pm – Dance Callbacks
College Dates:
Thursday, May 18, 7:30pm-9:30pm – College Auditions
Thursday, May 25, 7:30pm-9:30pm – College Callbacks
For more information, email education@bergenpac.org, and register for auditions at: https://bit.ly/BPACmusical
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) is located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey. Founded in 2003, bergenPAC is the area’s cultural mecca. Housed in a historic Art Deco-style theater boasting one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, bergenPAC attracts a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC – the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that, through programs, classes, outreach, school shows, and main theater presented shows, reach more than 30,000 students and community youth annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, “hands-on” training in music, dance and theater by industry professionals. It is through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors, members, and patrons that the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School are able to thrive and enrich our community.
