Last week, several dance and theatre students and teachers went on a field trip to New York City to experience what it takes to work professionally in the arts. On Wednesday, March 13, the students met at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and flew to Newark, then got on a bus to the Big Apple. This trip consisted of multiple once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like staying in a hotel on Broadway and visiting multiple attractions.

 Millbrook got the opportunity to tour NBC studios and Tip of the Rock as a group. In smaller groups, students, along with their chaperones, got to explore other parts of the city including Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Broadway. They also got the opportunity to dine at some of New York City’s most famous restaurants, like John’s Pizzeria, Carmines, and Ellen’s Stardust Diner. Ellen’s Stardust Diner is one of the most famous restaurants in the city because the waiters are aspiring Broadway actors, singers, and dancers so they perform songs and numbers in the restaurant for the customers. The main goal of the trip, started by Mr. Kotzian several years ago, is to allow students considering working in the arts or just students interested in the classes the chance to visit a city where the arts have such a high presence. Millbrook also watched two highly acclaimed shows on Broadway, Mean Girls and Phantom of the Opera.

 Many students’ favorite part of the trip was the opportunity to attend two workshops hosted by Broadway stars. The first workshop they attended was hosted by ensemble members and swings of Mean Girls Broadway. Students learned the closing number dance and talked to cast members about working in the show. Senior Gabi Baker commented, “My favorite thing was the dance workshop we did. We learned a dance from the show Mean Girls, and it was so much fun and was a really cool experience.” The second workshop they attended was an open call audition workshop. They learned how to sing music from Hello Dolly and Into the Heights. Throughout the trip students also got to meet stars including Ben Bogen who is on Broadway’s Frozen.

 They got back from New York on Saturday, March 16, after a four-day trip. This is a biennial trip, and Mr. Kotizan is already starting to prepare for the 2021 trip. After this life-changing trip for aspiring actors, dancers, and directors, we are sure to see the skills they learned in the classroom and in upcoming shows like Willy Wonka this April.