New York Talent Scout Discovers New Talent

Peter Sklar, a nationally acclaimed speaker, author, educator, talent scout and Broadway Producer of the upcoming Broadway Musical "The Kid Who Played The Palace" gave a free two hour lecture and later interviewed the kids, teens and young adults who were in attendance. Mr. Sklar has discovered and coached hundreds of successful young performers, including Sara Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon, Ricki Lake, and Rick Schroder to name a few.

The lecture was hosted by the Wolcott Dance Academy on Friday, March 12th. It was open to anyone over the age of six. About forty kids and their parents showed up to hear Sklar give advice and answer questions about a career in showbiz, what directors look for and touched on some problems that kids face today.

Sklar studied concert piano at New York's Juilliard School of music and is an accomplished musician. He also holds a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University, with a concentration in counseling and child/adolescent development. In his lecture he told the kids how important it is to be open and honest and build a healthy self-image. He also played songs from his new musical and was interested in their reaction to each song.

After the lecture Mr. Sklar interviewed the kids in a group and then one on one. He told Linda Eustace, director of the Wolcott Dance Academy that he was pleasantly surprised by the group and felt the kids were very interesting. He invited 12 of them to attend his Beginnings Workshop in upstate New York this summer. Those chosen from the Wolcott Dance Academy were Emily Audibert, Brianna Barry, Inacio Dias, Samantha D'Angelo, Lisa Dolan, Melissa Doyle, and Rachael Ramonas.

Nicole Zimyeski and Victoria Sforza, teachers at the Dance Academy were previously chosen and attended his workshop on Sklar's first visit in 1977. He offered them the chance to attend the workshop again this year as chaperones and attend the classes for free.

All in all, the lecture was a great success and the kids that were chosen are very excited.