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For Immediate Release
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
From Adrian Bryan-Brown / Susanne Tighe / Adrianna Douzos

The producers of Fame on 42nd Street, together with the Father Fame Foundation and the New York City Department of Education, have partnered to launch The Father Fame Apprenticeship Program (FFAP), a 4-week paid program that offers students an opportunity to work side by side with theatre professional at the stage musical, Fame on 42nd Street. This pioneer program to commence Saturday, January 3, 2004, is open to students in their junior year at select arts high schools in the five boroughs of New York City. Each month, five students are selected to participate. FFAP offers its candidates access and knowledge to various areas of the theater industry including: producing, casting, management, design, technology, publicity, marketing and performance, via 15 hour weekly sessions. The New York City Department of Education pays minimum wage salary to all students participating in FFAP for their 15 hours of apprenticeship work a week. The program is administered by Camp Broadway, a theatre arts company dedicated to helping educators, kids and families experience theater in original and creative ways.

David De Silva, known as "Father Fame" conceived, developed and produced the MGM motion picture FAME. Recently, he created The Father Fame Foundation, whose mission is to promote arts and live theater in education, particularly in the public schools. "In a business that offers few official apprenticeship or internship programs for students interested in the theatre, FFAP steps into the void, and presents a realistic look at a career as a theatre professional" said De Silva. "I truly believe students will discover their passion, and home their craft through hands-on work with top experts in the business."

"This is a one of a kind opportunity for our students to experience the world of professional theater by working up close with one of New York City's biggest shows," said Nancy Shankman, Deputy Senior Instructional Manager for the Arts. "The FFAP is an incredible way to enrich the education of the students while they explore their love of the arts and prepare themselves for the excitement and challenges of a career in the industry."

Students interested in participating in FFAP must complete an application form, which includes a 300-5-- word essay, a parent permission sheet, teacher reference, photo and an interview with Camp Broadway and key production staff. For a list of participating high schools, and application form, contact Camp Broadway at (212) 575-2929 or visit www.Fameon42.com. Applications must be received no later than Monday, December 1, 2003.

About Fame on 42nd Street
Inspired by the popular film of the same name, Fame will open Off-Broadway at the Little Shubert Theatre (422 West 42nd Street) on Tuesday, November 11 (performances began October 7).

Set in a four-year period from 1980-1984 at New York City's legendary High School of Performing Arts on West 46th Street, Fame takes the audience on a roller-coaster ride through the highs, the lows, and the ultimate triumphs of star-struck students in their quest for success. The musical chronicles their four-year odyssey from Freshman, to Senior Class of 1984 - the last class to graduate from the landmark building where the unofficial motto was "Fame costs and this is where you start paying."

Fame is conceived and developed by David De Silva, with book by Jose Fernandez, lyrics by Jacques Levy, music by Steve Margoshes (title song "Fame" written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore). The New York production is directed by Drew Scott Harris; choreography by Lars Bethke; and produced by Richard Martini, Allen Spivak and Dodger Stage Holding by arrangement with The Father Fame Foundation. The design team is comprised of Norbert Kolb (Sets), Ken Billington (Lights), Paul Tazewell (Costumes) and Christopher "Kit" Bond (Sound).

FFAP Partners
David De Silva (Originator) is known as "Father Fame." Creator De Silva conceived, developed and produces the MGM motion picture FAME. The film received four Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Song. As a native New Yorker with a background in education, he developed the idea for Fame from his belief in "magnet" schools like the High School of Performing Arts (now LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts). He was consulting producer on the television series, which ran for six years on network television and in syndication, and was broadcast in 68 countries.

The Father Fame Foundation was formed by David De Silva to make a difference with New York City's public high school students. Its mission is to interactively promote the value of theatre arts education. In addition to the FFAP partnership with NYC's Department of Education, the foundation is also planning an annual six-week summer workshop program for 50 talented students that would culminate in their performing Fame in a series of special Monday night performances at the Little Shubert Theater.

Camp Broadway® was founded in 1995 and exists today because of the commitment and support of many people working on or around Broadway who are dedicated to making the theatre accessible to young people.

New York City Department of Education (D.O.E.) governs all aspects of the school system to focus squarely on instruction, and to support the goal of improving student achievement in all the City's schools. The school system is now organized into 10 regions across the city - each of which covers approximately 120 schools. Each region contains 2, 3 or 4 community school districts, as well as the high schools located within their geographic boundries. The regions are led by ten regional superintendents who function as the senios instructional management team for the school system, and report directly to Deputy Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Diana Lam.

Mar.31, 2004 Performing Arts Workshop
at the Little Shubert Theatre on 42nd St.

June Apprentices

Lynda Halpern-Frank Sinatra School of the Arts,
Desireee Idrogo-Talented Unlimited H.S.,
Jessica Zenov-Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

May Apprentices

Stephanie Richmond, Jessica Newman and Nicole Thur
All from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

April Apprentices

Joseph Brent-Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Rachel Felstein-LaGuardia H.S.
of the Arts and Performing Arts, Justina Soto-Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
(Not Pictured Ashley Osbourne from Frank Sinatra Sch.of the Arts)

March Apprentices

Neil Scibelli, Ireida Santiago Quiros, not present-Ashley Osborne
(all Frank Sinatra School of the Arts)

February Apprentices

Stephanie Fontus-Brooklyn H.S. of the Arts, Christopher Desmangles-Brooklyn H.S. of the Arts,
Kisha Claude-Brooklyn H.S. of the Arts, Darrell Ammonds-Brooklyn H.S. of the Arts,
Christina Bonal-Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.

January Apprentices

Carla Cruz-La guardia H.S., Jennifer Chum-La Guardia H.S., Father Fame,
Angela Tesoriero-Frank Sinatra School of the Arts H.S.,
Diola Castillo-H.S. for Health Professions and Human Services
and Ronald Dolloway (seated)-Brooklyn H.S. of the Arts.

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