This past summer, nine budding actors appeared onstage at PBD in three performances of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s song cycle Edges . It marked the culmination of three weeks of training at theAcademy@pbd, an annual program for teenagers that provides them with the opportunity to appear in a musical or play and also offers rigorous training in acting and stage management in a safe, positive environment. The students, who had to audition for the production, were asked to reflect on their experience. Following are their thoughts, edited and condensed.



           (Note: The professionals referred to by the students are director Gary Cadwallader, assistant director Elizabeth “Beth” Dimon, music director Joshua Lubben, stage managers Katie Pyne and Pierre Tannous, and costume designer Brian O’Keefe. Most of them also speak about “table work,” which is the first step in the rehearsal process, when the cast, directors, and stage managers gather to do a very careful reading and examination of the script.)

Catherine Boynton

"The rehearsal process at PBD was probably the best I've ever been a part of. Everything was perfectly organized. I greatly appreciated the lessons that came with rehearsing. Multiple times throughout the experience, Gary would take a moment to teach us about the fundamentals of acting. We also went in-depth with table work; in my previous experiences, we'd never gone past the surface of a character or show. But Beth and Gary helped us dig deeper into our characters and understand not only what they were going through but how each number fit into the rest of the show. I loved the direction and staging process. Not only would Beth and Gary tell us to perform certain movements, but they would elaborate on the thinking behind the specific movements. Every action, cross, and gesture was deliberate and had a purpose. And our music director, Josh, is so talented. Honestly, just watching him play the piano was a gift. Working on my solo with him, I feel that my voice improved so much.

"I also really liked that the faculty treated us as professionals. At a lot of theatres, it is common to find adults belittling younger actors or treating them differently. But at PBD, it was clear that everyone saw each other as equals. That was one of the most memorable things about the process. I could not have had better teachers and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. What I learned at PBD, I will take with me for the rest of my life. I also had the time of my life."

Jaime Brustein

"Being involved in Edges was so rewarding. I grew so much – in performance, in my outlook, and in my morals. I found the topic of Edges and how young adults respond to change very eye-opening. There were so many moments in table work where I would get emotional in self-reflection. Each individual piece connected to pivotal moments that I’ve gone through or am going through, so it was really interesting to evaluate and discuss. It also was endearing to see how everyone else is having the same life experiences as I am.

 

"The process itself was absolutely incredible. The score is very advanced and the harmonies were far from easy, so I had trouble grasping my part for a long time. Josh was brilliant on piano and a good-hearted man. As for staging, I was so pleased with the blocking I was given in both my numbers. Not only was it very physical, it always had intention and made motivating the actions very easy. Another thing I really appreciated was the table work, and how we spent the time breaking down each piece. It added so much depth and gave everyone a new understanding of the arc through each song. Working with Beth was really rewarding. She has such an in-depth understanding as to how one line affects the next and how to keep the acting truthful. Gary helped me so much with analyzing the changes in the song, which gave me a new outlook on playing tactics. I loved how we continued to get notes after we opened; it felt like the intention was to take us to the next level. It was so cool to work with the same staff that the PBD professional shows use. We were always treated with the utmost respect, and we were all equals. I am so grateful for my entire PBD experience."

Braden Chavers

"This was a truly inspiring experience. Even though I had only been in three high school shows, I already knew that theatre was what I wanted to do with my life. I hadn’t done a proper audition yet, so it was a little intimidating. But the audition went great, and I walked away feeling pretty good about myself. I got the email that I’d been cast after the opening night of a show that I was doing at my high school, and I don’t remember ever being happier in my life.

 

"The music was difficult, and Josh was incredibly patient with us. I was floored by the talent of my castmates. One of the best things was that the staff treated us like professionals. Perhaps the table work was my favorite part of the experience. It was wonderful to learn from Gary and Beth the steps that it takes to immerse yourself in a song or a piece. I had never before thought about my objectives or my obstacles on my actions. Previously I had done all of it through instinct. Learning proper method made me feel like I had reached a new level. It was also very interesting to hear everybody’s take on what a song meant to them or how it should be portrayed. The table work brought a lot of life to the show, and it’s something I’ve brought back to my high school. The staging process also gave me so much new knowledge. Having directors able to hyperfocus on each of us allowed me to discover all the minute details of moving around the stage. I was learning something new every minute, and it was wonderful. At the first performance, I had the same giddy excitement that I had the first time I went onstage." 

Lily Counihan

"My experience was incredible! That includes the auditions, the instructors, and most important, the environment. I was made to feel very comfortable at my audition. Whenever we walked into the rehearsal space or the theatre, everyone was always so welcoming. I loved every second I was at PBD, and I’m so sad it’s over. I really want to do this again next year and continue training in the arts. Thank you for an amazing summer."

Kai Alivia Koren 

"TheAcademy@pbd was the most educational and best overall experience with a summer theatre program I have ever had. I didn’t know auditioning could be such fun, and I walked out feeling great. When the program actually started, we were given enough time to work through and learn our music so that we felt confident. I couldn’t have asked for a better music director than Josh. In addition to learning the music, we got to have a sort of Socratic seminar with each song, sitting down and having a deep conversation about the meaning of the lyrics. This was so important in understanding the material so that we could portray it the best way possible. The table work was so interesting: I have never been able to analyze a script like that. Bringing the words to life through staging and working with Gary and Beth was incredible. They are so creative, and they brought elements to the songs that I would never have thought of. They were specific and insightful, and I knew that I had become a better actor after the show because I learned so much from them. Beth even showed me physically how she wanted my solo to look, and put ideas into my head to make my song more truthful. They both really cared about us as actors and were open to what we had to say. That respect and professionalism, especially, is what makes this summer program different than others.

"Having fittings with Brian was fun, and I loved seeing his vision. Once we moved into the theatre, we got to watch the magic happen with sound and lights. It was exactly as if we were actors in a professional show. The feeling I got stepping out on that stage was surreal. I knew that all our hard work had paid off and I knew that the audience was affected emotionally. Everyone in the cast had their time to shine, and the individual attention that each actor got from the directors throughout the program made us confident in showcasing ourselves to a large audience. Our time in the dressing rooms really helped us bond as a cast and a family, as we laughed at inside jokes and supported each other with whatever we needed. The friendships that I developed with my castmates will be long-lasting. The lessons I learned from the cast, crew, and directors will stay with me for the rest of my life. To everyone that was part of this experience: I could never thank you enough for making it such a meaningful and impactful journey."

Chloe Laine-Lobsinger

"My experience was nothing but spectacular. From my first audition to the last curtain call, the environment that Gary created for us young actors was so warm, inviting, and professional, and allowed us to grow as actors and human beings. Working with the talent and kindness of Gary, Beth, Josh, Katie, and Pierre was an opportunity I won’t soon – more like ever – forget.

Thank you so much!"

Christian Ogunmekan

"The rehearsal process was probably my favorite aspect of theAcademy@pbd. Getting close to my castmates and watching the show grow was such an amazing experience and gave me new insights as a performer. Transitioning to and going through tech felt extremely natural, and I was engaged throughout the process. Every person I worked with was a joy; you could really feel everyone’s passion about the art form. Pierre and Katie kept us under control while also bonding with us, and made us feel like peers. And to see Beth and Gary work and turn this into an amazing production was astounding. Their talent and professionalism were inspiring! I would love to work with everyone again. This was a truly magical experience."

Coco Pollard

"I want to thank PBD for the opportunity to perform in Edges. The rehearsal process was so educational. I think my favorite part was the table work. I learned so much. Usually we are told to go home and figure out what the heck our song means. Instead, we were able to discuss the songs with the entire cast. It gave us a better understanding of what we were tackling. Our ideas were welcomed and nurtured. The tech rehearsals were awesome. I loved stepping onstage for the first time and feeling how intimate the space was. I loved seeing how the lighting enhanced the show and how the percussionist added a whole new layer to each song. Performing the show was probably the most rewarding part of this process. I was surprised by how much I related to Edges, and I loved being able to share it with everyone. I was so proud to be a part of a show that meant so much to me. Edges really helped me grow in my craft and as an individual. I am so grateful to Gary, Beth, Josh, Pierre, and Katie. Everyone treated us as professionals, which is so refreshing. Edges was truly one of the best experiences of my life. "

Alexa Rubinstein

"My favorite part of the process was doing table work for each song, because I love analyzing plays and text and characters. After finding the meaning of each song, we put it on its feet and blocked the entire show. The blocking was split between Beth and Gary; I worked only with Gary, who was incredibly supportive at all times and gave the actors concepts to think about in order to connect with each piece. He also helped teach the meaning of playing objectives instead of emotion. Although Gary directed all the numbers I was in, Beth was incredibly sweet and made sure to tell each cast member something positive about his or her performance. This constant support allowed the rehearsal process to be a safe place for everyone, and an enjoyable, professional process.

"The performances always gave me lots of adrenaline because I was so proud of our show. Each audience was wonderful and had nothing but kind words. This ensured that I would forever remember this process as a positive one. I enjoyed working with the entire staff. I felt that they all enjoyed what they were doing and always had the show’s best interest in mind. I want to thank everyone who was involved in the process; I truly learned so much from each of you. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my summer any other way."