DREAMS AND LESSONS FROM BROADWAY ROSE TEEN CAMP

This summer at Broadway Rose’s Teen Camp, incredible teens showcased not only their talent, but also the dreams they carry for the future and the lessons they are learning that will shape the people they hope to become.

Francesco, 14, played Grantaire in Les Misérables Student Edition. He has been performing with Broadway Rose since 2021, starring as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. With his growing experience in music and theatre, he is seriously considering a career in teaching. “I’d like to be a music teacher,” he said, “or even a conductor. I want to help people discover the beauty of music, the same way I have.” Francesco says the camp has taught him more than rhythms and notes; it has given him confidence, community, and social skills he can carry into any career.

Maxine, 17, portrayed the heartbreaking Éponine, caught in a love triangle in Les Misérables. She has been part of Broadway Rose for five summers and trained extensively with Northwest Children’s Theatre. Her dream is to become a speech-language pathologist. “Theatre has taught me how to communicate with people, really listen, and connect,” she said. “Those are the same skills I’ll need when I help people find their voices, literally.” For Maxine, performing and helping others are connected by the human need for connection and understanding.

Sarah, 18, played Cosette and just headed off to Boston Conservatory of Music to study musical theatre. “I’ve loved theatre since I was a tiny kid,” she said. “I want to have the same effect on people that theatre had on me—slowing down the world for a moment and letting audiences feel something deeply.”

Benicio, 17, took on the leading role of Jean Valjean and is entering his senior year at Sunset High School. His future could go in many directions; he has even considered becoming a firefighter. Theatre, he said, has taught him lessons that will carry into any path. “Theatre is about helping people and bringing out the best in them,” he said. “Those are the same traits that draw me to firefighting. It’s all about service, connection, and doing your best under pressure.”

All four campers emphasized the same truth: the skills they develop at Broadway Rose’s camp, including discipline, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and artistry, are not just for the stage, they help prepare them for life. “It isn’t just a three-week program,” Sarah said. “It’s a place where you learn how to show up, work hard, and connect with people in a meaningful way. That’s something you carry forever.”

During the camp they cheered for each other, laughed at mistakes, and celebrated progress. Benicio reflected, “There are so many actors here who make you want to be better. That’s what makes the experience special. It pushes you and teaches you things you can’t learn anywhere else.”

When asked what advice they would give other teens considering this camp, the answer was unanimous: just do it! The friendships, the growth, and the lessons are as valuable as the performance itself. “It’s unlike any other experience you’ll find in the theatre world,” Benicio said.

The experience of Francesco, Maxine, Sarah, and Benicio highlights why youth theatre is so special. Broadway Rose Teen Camp is not just about musicals. It is about discovering who you are, who you want to become, and how the work you do today can shape the world you will enter tomorrow. Judging by these four campers, the future looks bright, creative, and full of heart.

Signups for Broadway Rose’s Teen Summer Production begin November 19. Details can be found then on our Education page.