‘Broadway for a Day’ brings theater pros to Wichita youth
“Broadway for a Day” at The Studio was born out of the pandemic, getting its start in 2021.
“The concept that I came up with was that people would just come in for the day,” Studio founder and artistic director Amy Menas said. “I had contacts with Broadway professionals who had left the city, because obviously Broadway had shut down.”
It has grown since then, in both scope and number of days. The fifth edition will be from June 23-27, with registration deadline on May 21.
The “for a day” aspect still holds true for the professionals who get to spend a day with the students, age 8 through college.
“It just kind of all fell together,” Menas said. “I liked the aspect of them just coming in for the day, because their time constraints are pretty tight.
“The kids have the opportunity to learn from these professionals,” she added. “They look up to them so much and love to see them performing.”
Menas, a former director at Wichita Children’s Theatre and in schools, opened The Studio in 2009.
“Broadway for a Day” is not just open to Studio students. The youth get a chance to learn what day-to-day life is like for a professional in various aspects of the industry.
“Their favorite part is the Q-and-A, where they’re able to ask questions about what it’s like to be a Broadway performer, what it’s like to get their start,” Menas said. “They learn how relatable and supportive that community is to each other. It’s not competitive. The teachers I bring in love to share their experiences … They get a different perspective than they would from me.”
“Broadway for a Day” is designed for four days, although students are not required to spend the whole time participating.
“You don’t have to come the whole week, but I encourage you to come for the whole week, because it’s designed that way, so that you have a variety,” she said.
Among the presenters this year are Amy Baker Schwiethale, Wichita State musical theater program director and a veteran of the Broadway tour of “42nd Street”; Rebecca and Rile Reavis, veterans of the “Wicked” Broadway tour; Josie Rose Hand, a New York City-based actor, dancer and choreographer; and, via Zoom, Natalie Weiss, a singer, actor and vocal coach as well as a “Wicked” tour veteran.
A presenter Menas is especially happy to get is Brian Marcum, artistic director for Music Theatre Wichita, whose rehearsal schedule has previously precluded him from appearing.
“I’m so excited,” Menas said of Marcum.
Perhaps the best known national name for “Broadway for a Day” is Dan Elish, a Renaissance man whose work includes writing the book for “13: The Musical,” which later became a Netflix movie; children’s fiction books “The School for the Insanely Gifted” and “The Worldwide Dessert Contest” and, most recently the adult novel “The King of Broadway,” about what he called in an interview, “an old curmudgeonly genius.”
Elish said he’s looking forward to meeting with the youth.
“Depending on the class, I’d love to hear what they’ve been working on and just talking about their work,” he said. “That would be really fun for them and for me.”
Elish said he liked the ability to bounce from one art form to another, and to multitask.
“I’ve found in terms of my sanity, it’s good to have different irons in the fire,” he said. “In the arts, some things inevitably don’t work out. If I’ve gotten into any trouble in the past, it’s been focusing on one thing as the be-all and end-all, and then it doesn’t get published or doesn’t get produced. You can feel defeated, and that’s a bummer.”
Elish said he gets energized talking to young creatives.
“The kids I’ve met all over the country – I haven’t met a lot, but I’ve meant enough to say this – who are into the arts and musicals, my encouragement is ‘Go for it,’” he said.
He wasn’t familiar with the arts scene in Wichita until Menas’ invitation and is impressed by what he has discovered.
“Wichita looks incredible with the resources it has for musicals. I’m stunned; I had no idea,” Elish said. “In a way, they’re just in the perfect place to get parts and be in things. When you’re young, just try to experiment and keep busy and enjoy it. Just enjoy all the resources you have in Wichita and have a good time.”
‘BROADWAY FOR A DAY’
When: June 23-26; 9 a.m. to noon for 8-12 years, 1-4 p.m. for 13 and older
Where: Encore Dance Studio, 2231 N Reflection Road
How much: $55 single day, $200 week, from https://form.jotform.com/250483497415160