Presented by the Broadway Collective
Welcome! We can't wait to see you in Toronto!
Toronto
Star Dance Centre – 4750 Yonge St, Unit 326 Third Floor (Above LCBO) Toronto, ON M2N 0J6
Sunday, February 9, 2025
8am–2pm
What to bring:
- Photo ID for the building entrance
- Mandatory ALL BLACK dance clothes. No exceptions.
- Dance Shoes. Absolutely no sneakers.
- Water Bottle with your name on it.
- A nutritious lunch and also a light snack
- Energy, a positive attitude and ready to work hard!
DATE:
Location:
Times:
- 8am—Check-In & Welcome (Parents & Students)
- 8:30am-12pm—Students in Classes
- 11am—Parents Q&A (please return at 10:45am)
- 12-1pm—Sharecasse (Parents & Students)
- 1-2pm—Broadway Q&A (Parents & Students)
Step 1: watch this video from robert
Step 2: Add to Your calendar
Step 3: Invite A Friend
Step 4: Add Orientation Call to Your calendar
Step 5: Add Reunion Call to Your calendar
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
Hello Broadway Live is a one-day Musical Theatre intensive like no other.
You will take a vocal masterclass, learn Broadway choreography, expand your audition skills with real Broadway audition sides + techniques, and then end the day with a sharecase performance!
Hello Broadway Live is led by top Broadway professionals including performers and casting directors from Broadway’s hottest shows.
Don’t come to be perfect.
Come to experience the fun, community, and hard work of being a performer. You will discover more confidence and joy than you thought possible!
If you have dreams of Broadway, studying Musical Theatre in college, or have a love for performing, you do not want to miss Hello Broadway Live.
We can’t wait to meet you!
A Full Day of Elite Musical Theatre training
Vocal Masterclass
Dance Call
Our National Tour is popular for a reason!
Audition Workshop
Broadway Q+A
No prepwork! Come as you are. Come to be inspired.
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
is hello broadway live for you?
Let's see..
- You’re a Musical Theatre-obsessed teen, ages 12-18.
- You are interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts–on Broadway, in Hollywood, maybe both!
- You want more confidence in one, two, or all three disciplines (acting/singing/dancing)
- You think getting into a top college to study theatre would be AMAZING (especially with a big scholarship!)
- You want to train with the best of the best.
- You want to be pushed to realize your full potential as a person and artist.
- You’re kind to others. You’re not a bully. You will bring positivity and light into the room.
If that sounds like you, we want to see you at Hello Broadway Live!
At Hello Broadway Live, we cultivate a supportive, positive space for you to be challenged and encouraged. There is no good or bad–only discovery, curiosity, hard work, and celebration.
The SCHEDULE
8am
Check-In
We will send details about room number and check-in location at the venue a week before your day with Hello Broadway Live.
8:30–9am
Welcome + Warmup
Welcome to Hello Broadway Live! We will make introductions, set intentions for the day, and then waste no time in getting our energy up for the day ahead.
9–10am
Dance Call
You will be immersed in Original Tony Award-Winning Broadway choreography. Don’t be fooled into thinking that singers get “mover combinations” at Broadway auditions–absolutely not! You will be pushed out of your comfort zone to learn at NYC speed so that you see the work that is ahead of you.
10–11am
Audition Workshop
Storytelling is the basis of Musical Theatre. Anyone can sing a high note. Anyone can get their leg up. The secret sauce is doing it while telling a story–and not letting the nerves take over. Through audition sides coaching and mock audition, we will get you ready to walk into any audition room with confidence.
11am–12pm
Vocal Masterclass
Booking the job is about nailing your 16-bar vocal audition. In this vocal performance masterclass, you will learn how to warm up your voice and what makes a great audition song. The best part? You will walk away with a new audition song, sheet music in hand, to bring into any audition with confidence.
11am–12pm
Parents Only Session
We know you have those questions that you don’t want to ask with your kid around. Robert and his mother Elizabeth will be with the parents for an hour to have an honest dialogue about the industry, New York City, and further education!
12–1pm
Student Sharecase Performance
Time to celebrate! Parents are invited back to watch a presentation of everything our students have learned together. This isn’t a “showcase” – our students have learned a new mindset to approaching the work. We call this “sharing your new starting point!”
1–2pm
Broadway Q&A
You have questions, we have experience to share! To end the day, we will all sit together and you’ll be able to ask our faculty questions about the business and their journey to where they are today.
FACULTY
Vocal Faculty
Desi Oakley
Broadway + TV/Film Actor
Desi Oakley is a stage, screen and voice artist in NYC. She originated the role of Jenna on the 1st National Tour of WAITRESS, and also starred in the role on the West End. She was most recently seen on Broadway as Roxie Hart in CHICAGO. Other Broadway credits: WICKED, ANNIE, LES MISERABLES. She’ll be appearing in the third season of Only Murders In The Building later this year. Other TV credits: Gotham, The Gilded Age. Desi has voiced feature films like Dear Evan Hansen, Tick, Tick, Boom! and Spirited. All of Desi’s original music can be found on all streaming platforms and her original musical, The Light Effect, is currently in development. She loves coaching & mentoring young artists and works as an activist promoting mental health support. She happily lives in her favorite city in the world with her amazing husband. Follow her on social: @desioakley
Grasan Kingsberry
Broadway Actor + Professor
Originally from Charlotte, NC, Grasan is an Emmy® and Grammy® Award-winning performing artist. A proud BFA graduate of The Juilliard School, he has performed in 11 Broadway productions, including Once On This Island (2018 Tony Award® Best Revival) and The Color Purple (2005 original and 2015 Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-winning revival). His Broadway journey also includes Motown, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Leap of Faith, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Finian’s Rainbow, Catch Me If You Can, and Aida.
Regionally, Grasan has starred as Buddy Bolden in Jelly’s Last Jam (Pasadena Playhouse), William Shakespeare in Something Rotten! (Musical Theatre West), Benny in In The Heights (Music Theatre of Wichita), and as Curtis in Dreamgirls (NorthShore). Other highlights include Annie at the Hollywood Bowl and Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami (Center Stage).
His TV appearances include Mozart in the Jungle, Smash, Royal Pains, The Today Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. On the big screen, he’s been featured in The Aerialist and I Am Legend.
Grasan’s commercial work includes spots for Volkswagen, Farmer’s Insurance, and USCellular. He has collaborated with stars like Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Toni Braxton, Bernadette Peters, and Wynton Marsalis. In addition to performing, he is an accomplished choreographer, director, model, vocalist, and international teacher and mentor. He currently enjoys being on the faculty at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance in Los Angeles, where he shares his passion for the arts with the next generation. IG: @gray_sandy
Sydney Morton
Broadway Actor + Professor
Sydney Morton is thrilled to return to Broadway Collective, having been involved since the organization’s inception!
Originally hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Sydney started training in ballet at four years old. Growing up in a musical family (her maternal grandfather was a Broadway performer and music teacher), she sang in school choirs and played piano from a young age. Her interest in the performing arts grew, and eventually included more styles of dance and acting. Sydney went on to receive a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan, as well as studying Shakespeare in London at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Upon graduating, Sydney moved to New York and began performing in professional theatre, first landing the role of “Gabriella” in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL at Paper Mill Playhouse. From there, she joined the Chicago company of the hit, JERSEY BOYS, playing the role of “Francine.” Broadway soon followed, as she had the honor of performing in four Original Broadway Casts: MEMPHIS, EVITA, AMERICAN PSYCHO, and MOTOWN, where she worked closely with Berry Gordy himself and played the controversial member of the Supremes, “Florence Ballard.” Other theatre experience includes THE WILD PARTY (Encores! NY City Center), CABIN IN THE SKY (Encores! NY City Center), THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (“Esmeralda,” Ogunquit Playhouse), AN OCTOROON (“Zoe,” Berkeley Rep- West Coast Premiere), the world premiere of THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS (“Christy Lockhart,” Paramount Theatre), and FLASHDANCE (“Alex,” First National Tour). You can see Sydney playing “Cheryl Overstreet” in both seasons of Spike Lee’s hit series, SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT (Netflix), “Meghan Markle” in MEGHAN AND HARRY: ESCAPING THE PALACE (Lifetime), “Joelle” in A GOOD PERSON directed by Zach Braff, “Lorraine” in the live capture of JERSEY BOYS starring Nick Jonas (Release TBD), “Helly” on THREE WOMEN (STARZ), “Dora Larrie” in SELF-MADE: INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF MADAME CJ WALKER starring Octavia Spencer (Netflix), “Skye” in YOUN
ACTING FACULTY
Andy Jones
Broadway Performer
Andy Huntington Jones is a New York City-based theatre performer and educator, originally from Boston. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and has performed on stages around the world. With a deep passion for the performing arts, Andy is dedicated to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of theatre-makers.
Broadway credits: R&H’S CINDERELLA, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, CATS. Touring: WEST SIDE STORY, BOOK OF MORMON, CINDERELLA. Regional: North Shore Music Theatre, The Muny, Maltz Jupiter. TV: The Tony Awards, GMA, The Today Show.
Kelcy Griffin
Broadway + TV/Film Actor
Kelcy is a proud Chicago Native, a University of Michigan Grad and most recently and mom of 2
boys! She has performed on Broadway in shows such as Chicago and Bullets Over Broadway
choreographed by Susan Stroman. Kelcy has also performed in major regional theaters and
national tours such as Dreamgirls and Memphis the Musical. Kelcy is known for playing various
reoccurring roles on TV shows including POWER, GOTHAM, and HBO’s the DEUCE. She also
played the role of Debbie Allen in FX’s Emmy winning hit mini series Fosse/Verdon. Most
recently she can be seen in the short film Matinee where she plays opposite of Jack Falahee.
Benton Whitley
Broadway Casting Director
Benton Whitley (he/him) founded the New York City based casting and producing office of Whitley Theatrical in 2023.
He is currently responsible for the casting of the Broadway 2019 Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Hadestown, for which he won the 2020 Artios Award for Excellence in Casting. Last season’s new Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio, the Off-Broadway premiere of Dave Malloy’s Three Houses, as well as the current national tours of Hadestown and Ain’t Too Proud.
Before Whitley Theatrical, Benton co-founded and helmed the Gotham-based casting office Stewart/Whitley for over 12 years, where they were responsible for casting the main stem productions of Chicago The Musical; La Cage Aux Folles; Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Pippin; On The Town; Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812; The Lightning Thief; Paradise Square; and Life of Pi.
Whitley Theatrical is also responsible for the casting of numerous other projects in development for the stage including: Evita, Farewell My Concubine, Goddess, Life of Death, Pump Up the Volume, Wild, Cowboy Bob, Octet, and reimagined revivals of Inherit The Wind and Same Time Next Year.
Whitley is often a guest lecturer and teacher at schools and universities around the country, and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the University of Michigan Musical Theatre Department. He is a two time Artios Award winner and a proud member of the Casting Society of America (CSA).
In addition to his life in the theatre, Benton resides in Brooklyn and is the co-host and co-producer of the queer mental health podcast Why Here, now streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are centered in what his casting & producing office does in its daily practice internally, in its engagement with the professional community at-large, and in the stories they help creative team’s tell.
Follow: @whitleytheatrical & whitleytheatrical.com
JONATHAN BURKE
Broadway Actor
Jonathan Burke is an Obie Award winning actor who began his acting training in high school at the Baltimore School for the Arts and ultimately received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College. He can be seen on Seasons 1, 2, and 3 of Prime Video’s hit comedy series, “Harlem,” as the recurring role of ‘Eric,’ as well as on NBC’s “New Amsterdam,” Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” MGM+’s “Bridge and Tunnel” and in the short films, Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles, and The Distinguished, which can be seen on The Roku Channel. On Broadway, he appeared as the leading role, ‘Pharus Jonathan Young,’ in the closing company of the Best Play Tony Award nominated Choir Boy, as ‘Young Man 5/Toby’s Agent/Charles Wilcox’ in the Original Broadway Cast of the Best Play Tony Award winner, The Inheritance, and was a member of the Original Broadway Cast of Tuck Everlasting. Jonathan was seen Off-Broadway as ‘Mungojerrie’ in the highly acclaimed re-imagined production of Cats, CATS: “The Jellicle Ball” (for which he received an Obie Award Special Citation), at PAC NYC, as ‘Elzie’ in Toni Stone at the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Laura Pels Theatre, as ‘Jordan’ in Patience at Second Stage Theater’s McGinn-Cazale Theatre, as ‘Jeff’ in Love & Science at New York City Center Stage II, in Joan of Arc: Into the Fire at the Public Theater, and in Langston in Harlem at Urban Stages. His national tour credits include Mary Poppins, A Christmas Story: The Musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Cats. Regionally, he has appeared across the country at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Goodspeed Opera House, Syracuse Stage (for which he won a SALT Award for Leading Actor in a Musical, as ‘Bert’ in Mary Poppins), The Muny, The Cape Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, the Studio Theatre, the Hangar Theatre, the MGR Playhouse, the Broad Stage, the Virginia Stage Company, among others. Jonathan is one the co-creators, executive producers, and stars of the series in development, “Not Looking,” and also served as the Unit Production Manager of the upcoming digital series, “Men Like Us.” You can follow Jonathan on Facebook at Jonathan Burke, on X at @itsjonburke, and on Instagram at @itsjonathanburke.
JONATHAN BURKE. Broadway: The Inheritance (Tony Award – Best Play); Choir Boy (Tony Award Nomination – Best Play); Tuck Everlasting. Off-Broadway: CATS: “The Jellicle Ball” (PAC NYC – Obie Award Special Citation); Love + Science (NY City Center Stage II); Patience (Second Stage); Toni Stone (Roundabout); Joan of Arc: Into the Fire (Public). Tours: Mary Poppins; A Christmas Story; Joseph…; Cats. Select Regional: The Cape Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, Goodspeed, Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Muny, Syracuse Stage (SALT Award – Leading Actor in a Musical), Portland Center Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Studio Theatre, Virginia Stage Company, Hangar Theatre. TV: “Harlem” (Prime Video); “New Amsterdam” (NBC); “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu); “Bridge and Tunnel” (MGM+). Film: Noah’s Arc: The ‘Rona Chronicles; The Distinguished (The Roku Channel). Co-creator of @notlookingtheseries. BFA, Ithaca College. Facebook: Jonathan Burke. X: @itsjonburke.
Dance Faculty
Robert Hartwell
Founder + Artistic Director, The Broadway Collective
Robert Hartwell is the host and executive producer of “Breaking New Ground” co-produced by the Oprah Winfrey Network and HGTV currently streaming on MAX. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre Department and has performed in 5 Broadway shows and 2 National Tours. He founded The Broadway Collective in 2016.
As a Director/Choreographer his work has been seen at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, North Carolina Theatre, and Fulton Theatre. Most recently he directed and choreographed For Colored Boyz and won the Fulton Theatre’s inaugural Stories of Diversity Playwriting Festival.
Robert has performed in 5 musicals on Broadway and 2 National Tours: Dreamgirls, Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Cinderella, Motown, and Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler. He also stars in Pharrell and Jay-Z’s latest hit single – Entrepreneur – dancing in front of his iconic home.
Robert is a proud graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and The University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre department where he earned summa cum laude honors and the Willis Patterson Diversity Award.
Robert’s story of purchasing a 200-year-old colonial mansion (which was built back when slavery was still legal Federally in the US), went viral, reaching millions of people who were touched by his message of reinvention, liberation, and hope. As a Black gay man, he vowed to fill this home with love, honor his ancestors, tell their stories, and say their names.
In 2022, he launched the premier speaker training program for entrepreneurs to tell their stories – Strength On Stages.
When Robert isn’t telling stories and helping others do the same, he’s obsessing over NPR, his La Marzocco latte art, and dusting his 13 chandeliers. He divides his time between New York City and his new home in Massachusetts.
Often Imitated. Never Duplicated. Often Imitated. Never Duplicated.
Since 2016, The Broadway Collective has set the standard for training the next generation of Broadway artists.
We have a 97% success rate of our students being accepted into top BFA Musical Theatre college degree programs.
We begin working with students at age 12 through 18. Our students have succeeded in the competitive high school and college application and audition process, connected with the industry’s leading experts, booked television and film, and landed roles with prominent theatre productions around the country.
With a star-studded faculty of Broadway performers, directors, and choreographers, our curriculum prepares pre-professional young performers with technique, storytelling skills, and discipline, while instilling the importance of a positive attitude, generous spirit, and authenticity.
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
2025 NATIONAL TOUR
–Maria, Parent
–Sarah, Parent
–Julie, Parent
–Traci, Parent
–David, Parent
–Dawn, Parent
FAQ
What is Hello Broadway Live?
Hello Broadway Live is an in-person masterclass experience at a city near you, led by working professionals from every corner of the Broadway industry. Students get dance, voice, acting, and audition prep training directly from Broadway performers. Hello Broadway Live shows you the path to becoming a more resilient and more focused performer.
WHO CAN REGISTER FOR HELLO BROADWAY LIVE?
Hello Broadway Live is for students ages 12-18. All experience levels are welcome.
WHAT IF I CAN’T DANCE / SING / ACT? SHOULD I STILL COME?
The word “can’t” is not in our vocabulary! Come with a positive attitude and willingness to embrace all elements of training. This is a supportive, non-judgmental space. All levels of training are welcome!
I'M A PARENT. WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE?
Hello Broadway Live is your teen’s opportunity to experience the training journey of a Broadway artist first-hand. On the day, parents will be required to attend the check-in from 8-8:30am and from 11am-2pm for the Parent-Only Session, Student Sharecase Performance, & Broadway Q+A.
HOW MUCH IS IT?
Hello Broadway Live registration starts at $497. The price increases weekly before the event so it’s best to get your ticket today.
I WANT TO DO THIS, BUT I CAN’T AFFORD IT. HELP?
Our founder Robert Hartwell came from a single-parent household where money was very tight. If you need some help brainstorming ways to raise money for your education, If you’d like a copy of Robert’s free e-book 10 Ways to Carve Out Time and Money for Your Dream email andrew@bwaycollective.com for a free copy to be sent to you.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY?
There are no refunds or cancellations. See our Terms + Conditions.
What do I need to wear and bring?
We have a dress code of black dance clothes for all students. Please wear jazz shoes (tan or black – either is fine). Also: bring a water bottle with your name on it. All of your learning materials and everything you will need will be given to you on the day.
What is the time commitment?
Hello Broadway Live is a six-hour experience from 8AM-2PM. Parents will be required for check-in from 8am-8:30am and then from 11am-2pm for the Parents Only Session, Sharecase, and Broadway Q+A. Your student will be with us all day from 8am-2pm.
