10 years of Broadway Camp: Building the next generation of theatre artists

Collaborative School of the arts continues to inspire

This year, the Collaborative School of the Arts celebrates 10 years of building a community of expression through Broadway Camp. The program, a remarkable four week pre-professional training in the arts for students ages 14 to 19, has helps hundreds of students develop their skills while building lasting friendships and confidence

The program has become a cornerstone of support in the theatre community, where students regularly return each summer, no matter what role or position they are cast in, and alumni credit Broadway Camp as a monument of growth in their creative career.

Imagined by Christine Sheehan, Director of CSOA, and Steven Yuhasz, former Youth Programs Director, the program began in 2016 and has exceeded itself as a heightened resource where student actors, production crew, and musicians produce a full-scale musical in four weeks. This year, Broadway Camp will continue its legacy with the incredible tale of “Sweeney Todd School Edition,” haunting the MainStage at Proctors with 34 cast members, 10 production crew members, and 16 musicians.

“When we started, we’re like, oh gosh, how are we going to get through the summer? And now, we say what else can we add that would be really awesome for the kids to experience?” Sheehan said.

“It’s not just coming and learning your lines and putting on a show, there’s a whole educational component to it. They [the students] are immersed in the ecosystem of what a working theatre means and how all of the different staff and departments contribute to putting on a show.”

The goal of providing students the most uniquely educational experience has blossomed into offering financial aid and scholarships, regularly rotating the artistic staff so students experience different direction and choreography, and the addition of relevant hands-on master classes with active industry professionals.

Jacob Frenyea, education programs manager, is one of multiple Education Department staff who took a full-circle journey from camper to staff member. He auditioned after aweing at Broadway Camp’s 2017 “Pippin” and went on to get cast, where he built the best friendships.

Frenyea recalls his time at camp when COVID-19 hit, and that even with the state of the world there was an enlivened effort, “They had a bunch of safety protocols set up, socially distanced and everything, and they professionally recorded us so that we could have those vocals for auditions in the future. It was a very cool experience.” 

He was chosen to intern for “Into the Woods” in 2022 and then be assistant music director for “The Prom” in 2023 before joining staff. “I loved it so much, I kept coming back. I feel immense gratitude when I get to come to work each day,” he beams.

Broadway Camp is a rapidly growing light for collaborative creativity, spark for lasting bonds, and a passionate kickoff to making a career in the arts a reality. Most importantly, it is a safe space where students are seen and heard, some for the first time.

If you are a Broadway Camp Alumni, stay in touch and stay tuned for future reunion events and opportunities! 

Ten years after welcoming its first class of students, Broadway Camp continues to prepare young artists not only for a future career in theatre, but to create lasting friendships and lifelong confidence. Year after year, the Collaborative School of the Arts continues to grow this legacy.

See Broadway Camp’s production of “Sweeney Todd School Edition” Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1 on the MainStage at Proctors. Tickets on sale by visiting atproctors.org or at the Box Office at Proctors in-person or via phone at (518) 346-6204 Tuesday-Saturday 12 -6 p.m.

This story was produced by our intern Sophia Jarosz from Fredonia College. To learn more about internships at Proctors Collaborative visit collaborativeschoolofthearts.org.