meet me at the stage door

Artsranch Press release

2009-04-22T19:05:00.007-04:00

Jacob Brent

Brad Simmons

Broadway performer, Director, Choreographer, co-founds "The Ranch" Performing Arts Training Center

San Jose, CA April 11, 2009 -- Mr. Jacob Brent (Mr. Mistoffelees Cats, Broadway, London, film) has announced the opening of a three week summer musical theater training camp in Northern California. Mr. Brent will serve as Artistic Director at the new program, which features Broadway performers as guest teaching artists. Resident Musical Director is Brad Simmons (Broadway vocal coach, composer, and actor in the cult film "Camp"). Mr. Brent and Mr. Simmons have worked with young actors in over 20 theatrical productions, including one of the premier productions of RENT, school edition.

"The Ranch" performing arts training program, held at a working thoroughbred ranch and former summer camp in Northern California, is a three week resident camp for youth performers 12-18 years of age. Using existing barns and ranch structures for training spaces, performers will learn proper vocal technique, dance, and acting method. A variety of additional classes will be offered to round out the core theater curriculum. The program will culminate with a feature length Broadway musical performance.

"The Ranch" inaugural summer session enrollment will be capped at 34 campers, allowing for a personal experience for all performers with a wide range of teaching artists. Co-founding along with Mr. Brent are Heather Lerner and Kathy Martinelli. Ms. Lerner has been the marketing associate with Children's Musical Theater San Jose since 2007, and is a 20 year summer camp veteran with a variety of private and non-profit camps. Ms. Martinelli holds a certificate in Association Management as well as a BS in arts education, and is an instructor with Community School of Music and Art in Mountain View. Ms. Lerner and Ms. Martinelli will serve as CEO and CFO respectively.

Mr. Brent says, "A three week resident program enables student performers to fully engage, to let go, to truly participate at the deepest level, to take risks and reap rewards. It's no coincidence that cell phones don't work at the camp. Skimming the surface and 'buffet-style' sample training isn't what The Ranch is about. We want much more than that for our student campers. Creativity takes courage and commitment."

The inaugural summer session dates for The Ranch Performing Arts Training Center will be July 13-August 2, 2009. To sign up, visit www.artsranch.com. For further questions, call The Ranch's off-season office at 408-244-9370 or visit the website.

Candide [May 8th - 17th]

2009-04-21T19:15:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone - I'm out in San Jose right now directing a production of Candide. It's going to be fantastic and I'm super excited about it. We are having such a fun time in rehearsals we thought we would share it with you. If you're in the area we would love to have you come and see us.

Boys from Syracuse

2009-03-07T02:07:00.003-05:00

Ok, before all of you write to me and tell me how wonderful Boys from Syracuse is. I looked it up. The Boys from Syracuse is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, based on William Shakespeare's play, The Comedy of Errors, as adapted by librettist George Abbott. The score includes swing and other contemporary rhythms of the 1930s. The show was the first musical based on a Shakespeare play. There are actually two sort of hit songs from that show, Falling In Love With Love and This Can't Be Love.

There you are, I told you so.

2009-03-07T00:58:00.002-05:00

This is an original dong written by Jodi and composed by Brad Simmons.

Broadway Legend

2009-03-07T00:40:00.003-05:00

Last night I went to the Laurie Beechman Theater to hear one of my former campers perform. It got me thinking of Laurie again and I feel so lucky to have performed with her. She was truly amazing and a broadway legend! None of you would be belting if it wasn't for her. She paved the road - there was no road before her. Watch/study these clips! To find out more go to Lauriebeehman.com

SHE'S THE NYC GIRL...I MEAN COME ON PEOPLE IT DOESNT GET BETTER THAN THIS..

Back at last

2008-12-22T00:20:00.003-05:00

Being Billy

2008-12-04T13:54:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone - Wow! It's been a while since I've posted anything. Life is good and I have so much to catch you up on. In the meantime take a look a me finding Billy Eilliot.

Bump It Big Dawg!

2008-08-25T00:05:00.001-04:00

Birthday Video

2008-08-18T00:12:00.004-04:00

Ali Gordon, I want to be like you when I grow up.

The baby is Beatrix Jane born January 30, 2008 at 3:16 pm to the proud parents of my friends Sharon and Rob. They just let me hold her every now and then.

Brad singing Scenes From An Italian Restaurant

2008-08-15T22:59:00.000-04:00

Jacob's Happy Birthday!

2008-08-13T23:46:00.004-04:00

History making theater

2008-08-12T00:03:00.007-04:00

So, I had a weekend filled with theater and I thought I would share it with you. It started out on Thursday night when my good friend Randi invited me to the opening night of HAIR. If you haven’t seen it, RUN to get tickets. I thought it was wonderful, magical and divine. It was a great story about a distinct group of people that ended in the stars. It was simply what good theater should be! Speaking of ending, just as the cast started the final song of “let the sunshine in,” it began to rain. I was looking everywhere for the hoses because the effect was unbelievable and right on cue. Well, we quickly learned it was not part of the show as the bottom of the sky dropped and dumped cold wet rain over all of us. That did stop us from dancing the night away! This was New York at its best and its times like these that I’m reminded that I do live in the greatest city in America. LET THE SUN SHINE IN!

Peter James Zielinski took these photos and you can check out his work at http://www.pjzstudios.com/

On Friday night, I went to see my good friend Adam Perry, who was brilliant, in A Chorus Line. I was reminded of how brilliant that show is and well it is constructed. Michael Bennett was a GENIOUS!!!

Here’s Donna McKechine on the cover of Newsweek circa 1979. AMAZING!!

Simply the best!

Looking at the line reminded me of when I was in CATS we did a parody of ACL. Thought you might enjoy.

On Saturday night I went to Hubbard Street Dance Company. Again RUN! It was the best dance I’ve seen in a while. The girl in the video is my dear friend Helen Rust who is visiting form London and Randi Kliner is working the camera.

AMAZING!!!!!

OUT TONIGHT!

2008-08-05T19:43:00.004-04:00

Here is OUT TONIGHT from the 2008 production of RENT at Stagedoor manor. I loved directing this show. My cast was fantastic across the board. I will try and post more stuff from the show as I get it. This was the first thing that I got so its the first thing going up

You have to at least watch up to :50 for the back bend. I think Taylor gives Daphne a little run for her money.

And then there's this option. NOT FROM MY PRODUCTION!

SPECIAL THANKS to Ali gordon who found this video. Thanks Ali!

Tragedy on the Lanes!!

2008-06-14T08:09:00.004-04:00

Hey Guys - this post is from when I went to Milwaukee and visited my friend Sharon Wheatley who was performing with the Milwaukee Symphony. She was amazing! You can see more about the concert on her blog. tilthefatgirlsings.blogspot.com It was also Chad's, the stage manager, birthday and we went bowling!

Let's bowl, let's bowl, let's Rock-'n-Roll

Hey come on let's get this show on the road.

Let's bowl, let's bowl, let's Rock-'n-Roll

We're sittin' on a bomb that's about to explode.

We're gonna score tonight, we're gonna score tonight.

If you're lookin' for a fight, then the time is right.

On a jet plane

2008-06-11T16:20:00.002-04:00

Run Eliza Run

2008-06-10T00:29:00.000-04:00

2008-06-09T13:35:00.006-04:00

The AMAZING Sharon Wheatley!

Hey guys – I just got back from a whirlwind of a weekend in Milwaukee. I went to see my friend Sharon Wheatley perform with the Milwaukee Symphony. She was FANTASTIC!! We had such a great time and Vloged the whole thing. I will get them posted as soon as I can. SO much happened – There was a wedding (that we crashed), a friend got a Broadway show and there was a Tornado. All in one weekend!

I’m seeing Brad for the first time in four days today. I’m sure there will be a posting of us up soon.

ONE WEEK TIL CAMP!!!!

Lets Go To The Movies

2008-06-04T12:00:00.005-04:00

OMG- HSM3!!! I can't wait!!!!

Come on, you know you're secretly excited.

Act 2 - Name That Tune

2008-06-02T16:51:00.002-04:00

We love hearing your comments. Let us know you're watching.

Flying home part 1

2008-05-29T22:40:00.000-04:00

Brad singing NOTHING

2008-05-28T12:21:00.001-04:00

Brilliant!! - 18 MORE DAYS! - Thanks Joe for making this happen.

2008-05-27T11:52:00.001-04:00

2008-05-23T17:40:00.001-04:00

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

2008-05-20T14:18:00.001-04:00

OUR FIRST VLOG!!

2008-05-19T12:58:00.000-04:00

Hey Kids! Our first VLOG is coming tonight.