Learn How To Make It On Broadway At Bergen County Camp

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Donna Vivino knows what it takes to perform on Broadway. She wants to help others do the same.

Vivino, a Fair Lawn native, is a Broadway veteran. She was 8 when she played the original Young Cosette in "Les Miserables." Later, she was cast as Elphaba in "Wicked." Show business is in her blood. Floyd Vivino, aka Uncle Floyd, is her uncle and her father is in the Jimmy Vivino the Basic Cable Band.

"I knew from a very young age what I wanted to do. Young people are curious about the arts and they want to work with people who are doing it," Vivino said. "We want to make Broadway accessible to them."

Vivino and Leya Adler have co-founded Journey To Broadway, a weeklong summer camp for kids 8 to 18 being held in August. Campers will attend various workshops and learn from Vivino and other industry veterans how to hone their skills and become better performers. Classes will be held in Waldwick.

Vivino, a Fair Lawn High School alumnus, is a voice and acting teacher in New York City and at area colleges.

Kids will take master classes with Broadway actors and work on a showcase piece before performing it in front of casting directors on the last day of camp. Kids will go into New York City and see a matinee performance on Broadway.

Singing, dancing, acting for the camera, comedy improv, choosing the right songs and monologues, auditioning, and how to battle stage fright will be covered.

"So many times kids say, 'I want to be in show business' and parents have two reactions," Vivino said. "They either get scared or they try to make them famous. There is more to it than that and you can be successful in the arts without being a star."

Adler said North Jersey provides students with a unique opportunity to aspiring performance artists.

"What is so great about Bergen County is that a student who possesses the drive and the determination and the talent really could be on Broadway and be on film and television because of the access to talent agents," Adler said.

Aspiring students must audition to be chosen to attend the camp. Parents will be able to attend a panel discussion with a talent agent.

"The biggest thing that I always teach students is that you are you. I want them to be themselves and give them the tools they need to succeed," Vivino said. "I want them all to leave feeling wonderful about themselves."

For more information about Journey To Broadway, click here.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Donna Vivino, right, Leya Adler, left, and choreographer Kiersten DiGacomo who are helping produce the Journey to Broadway weeklong summer camp. (Courtesy of Leya Adler)