<p>My daughter and I just returned from our five days in NYC, and I want to thank you all for the great suggestions for “NYC on a tight budget.” I had a wonderful time, in no small part because of the help I got from so many of you. I spent more time in the garment district than any reasonably sane person would, but all of you fabric geeks understand…</p>
<p>It was also nice to discover that you can take the girl out of the city, but you can’t take the city out of the girl. I arrived bone-tired because of an unexpected crunch at work (read as massive amounts of O/T) and told my boss before I left that I would probably spend two days just sleeping in my hotel room. But I got my second wind once I arrived and was on the go from dawn until dusk+…the vitality of the city was invigorating (and the delightful weather didn’t hurt either!) </p>
<p>My daughter also had a wonderful experience; she worked hard but thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with Broadway choreographers, music directors, and actors as they prepared for their show last night. And to add icing to the cake, her principal, superintendant, and several members of the Board of Directors from her school flew out to see the performance. She’s had a tough year as she works through the effects of her RA, but knowing that folks cared enough to fly out to see her really lightened her load for a night. </p>
<p>Thanks to you all for all the help…now please excuse me while I go collapse in my very own comfy bed!</p>
<p>mezzomom~</p>
<p>I’m so glad that both you and your D had a wonderful trip!! The city does invigorate, doesn’t it!? I’m sorry that you had so much work, though, right before you had to leave</p>
<p>My daughters would be SO jealous!! Broadway choreographers, actors and music directors!! How exciting! The closest we get to Broadway folks is when many of them come out in the summer to star in the shows put on by Music Theatre of Wichita. My middle daughter was once in a show with Matt Bogart 
!!</p>
<p>Glad you’re home safe and sound…get some rest, O.K.??</p>
<p>~berurah</p>
<p>Berurah, since your girls are MT fans, they should keep their eyes on the Bravo TV website. My daughter won this trip for us through an essay contest sponsored by Bravo; as long as you have cable TV, anyone between the ages of 10-17 can enter. The sponsors have a unique, but IMO, valuable, philosophy about this event. They specifically don’t ask for headshots, resumes, or audition materials in the application, because they are looking for kids who can communicate their commitment and passion for the performing arts. This creates a setting where the kids are in NY based not on past accomplishments but on a genuine desire to learn, grow, and create as performers. </p>
<p>When the kids arrive, they are broken into teams based on age, which goes a long way in eliminating any sense of competition or intimidation that a younger student might feel with an older (more experienced) student. And at the initial workshops, the choreographers and music directors get a sense of the skills the students have and tailor the dance/music accordingly; when my daughter first saw the music, she was a bit dismayed at how easy it was, but harmonies were added over the course of the weekend once the music director realized the kids in her group had a sound music background. </p>
<p>The kids did work very hard, but I didn’t hear a single complaint…these are, after all, kids who tend to live and breathe the arts. If your girls show any interest, feel free to PM me and I can give you more insight into the application process.</p>