"They helped us with our resumes and told us what we needed to do to make ourselves more marketable and I felt that it gave us a leg up on the acting business part. Overall I was blown away by how much springboard was helpful to me and hard on me. Thanks to all for giving me one of the best opportunities I have had as an actor."

"Before the program, I thought I would not be prepared to move to New York for many years. Enter Springboard. Springboard provides a treasure trove of knowledge and resources from the city's most credible sources to make an actor's NYC dreams a reality. Most importantly, I am thankful for the confidence instilled in me from the experiences I gained through the master classes. Because of the program, I have faith in myself to successfully make a home as an artist in New York City within the year. Did I mention that the staff is incredibly helpful as well as talented? Thank you for my unforgettable experience."

"Springboard is different than any other New York programs I've done. Some other intensives focus on what is wrong with you or what you are doing, making it hard to grow as an artist. This program, from Day 1, created an environment where we would all work together. After all, we are all working to achieve a similar goal. When I left this program, I felt like I had an amazing support team and network that I could utilize. I came out of a classical music program, so Springboard is one of the only times I've had to put my musical theater repertoire on my feet. The workshops helped me to pin-point my strengths and weaknesses within the field, in a comfortable environment. I came out armed with the knowledge I needed to grow and change. I had already moved to New York before the program began. But this program made me feel more "at home" here. I am a part of the American Theatre Wing family now. I am a part of the theatre scene in New York because of this program."

"For the first time I got to hear what the people behind the table were thinking, and how I could better present and represent myself. I felt part of a small Springboard family, and was so sad when the whirlwind 14 days was over! I recommend Springboard to anyone who is eager to start a career in the theatre but just doesn't know where to begin."

"I went home Saturday night and could not even fathom all the information crammed into my brain. I knew I was going to have the chance to pick the brains of many a theatre professional, but I did not realize quite how much they would all have to share. Imagine hearing from an agent’s mouth when to send pictures, how to write resumes, what to say in a cover letter; learning from a casting director what to prepare, how to walk into the room, how to conduct a cold reading; hearing from other actors their stories and struggles along the road; and getting advice from directors, managers, producers. It's a two week crash course on what works and what does not in this industry. As for helping to bridge the gap between college and the real world, this program achieved much more. It put my education in perspective, as I was finally able to apply what I learned in school to the complicated world of New York theatre. Because of Springboard I have a better understanding of myself as a performer and as a business woman. What SBNYC stressed over and over again was that you must be yourself. Seeing other students in the program excel at being themselves inspires you to be who you are."

I love New York City, I knew that as I landed in the airport, but what I did not know is if I could really live there and could I even grasp the idea of surviving in a career I love. Over the next fourteen days, I discovered many things, so here are the few that I know as of now. SpringboardNYC 2005 taught me that wherever you are, as long as you are doing what you love, you always have the opportunity to make a friend. I met so many great people at SpringboardNYC. They are amazing, talented, and thankfully people I consider my friends. Some other lessons I learned at SpringboardNYC are to be yourself, be confident, and to laugh at yourself. The audition workshops gave the most encouragement to walk into a room, be me, and to believe in me. Although I came to SpringboardNYC as an upcoming junior in college there are some great benefits to attending it at a somewhat young age. I really felt like the best thing I received was encouragement. When it comes down to it, I know I can live in New York City, be involved with theatre, live in an apartment, and still be able to eat."

I'm pretty sure that years from now, whatever I may be doing, I'll look back at these 2 weeks and say that I could not imagine my life without that experience. SpringboardNYC has given me such clarity of thought and has restored my faith in the world of theatre, which has become a bit jaded through the college experience. The people we met, the shows we saw, etc. - all that was invaluable. But what struck me most, I believe, was an indefinable sense that I belonged to this world, that I was part of something greater than a 'program' - I felt like I was part of a community and that it would give me something to return to. Even if I don't end up as a Fabulous Broadway Star, I know that there's something in the New York theater community for me to come back to and that I'd like to have in my life."

So ready, well-informed and excited about moving here in August. I’ve been telling everyone that SpringboardNYC hasn’t put my foot in the door, but it has definitely shown me where the doorknob is—and now it is my job to open the door. This has been better that I could have imagined it. Thank you."

"As I settled into my NYC dorm room, I began to meet other, eager students of musical theatre. I would get to know these kids over a two week period. In this time frame, we would have extraordinary opportunities to meet what we would learn to be the right 'contacts'. Casting producers, agents, managers, directors were just the beginning of whom we would see. We were also given the opportunity to see Broadway shows during the program, and on our own. I was lucky enough to go backstage after Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and meet up again with SpringboardNYC mentor, Raul Esparza. We were given a chance to work with professionals, reading sides and singing our pieces to prepare us for our mock-audition at the end of the program."

"It is difficult to briefly describe what this program did for me, or say how much I appreciated it. It was everything I ever thought it would be and much more. It made the idea of living in New York feasible. I did learn about the business itself, but I also got to experience people. What astounded me the most and what I believe to have left the deepest impression on me was the fact that everyone was so genuine. Everyone wanted us to succeed. We saw shows, met 'contacts', had tons of workshops and made really good friends (to whom I still am talking on an everyday basis). What I believe made the program a success was, the people…the heart of NY. Now I understand that shirt: 'I heart NY.' I never got one :( I ran outta time—we were just too busy!)"