Actor Erik Liberman (‘War Paint’, ‘The Band’s Visit’, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’) has recently launched Bridge to Broadway, an online training platform that connects young professionals with Broadway actors, directors, music directors, composers, lyricists, casting directors, and vocal coaches in behind-the-scenes conversations.

As social distancing seems to force everyone to adapt to the ‘new normal’, Bridge to Broadway came as a swift and welcome solution to help keep theatre students and emerging artists around the world connected with their role models. Furthermore, the initiative supports artists by donating a percentage of all proceeds to The Actors Fund.

The star-studded line-up recently included Tony winners Judith Light, Alan Menken, Harvey Fierstein, Joe Mantello, Victoria Clark, Christopher Gattelli, Joan Lader, Ali Stroker, Michael McElroy, as well as Hamilton’s Javier Muñoz and composer-lyricist Steven Lutvak, to name a few.

JAY DUPLASS

Prominent actor, author, writer, producer and filmmaker Jay Duplass (‘Transparent’, ‘Room 104’, ‘Togetherness’, ‘Wild Wild Country’) will make his guest appearance on Bridge to Broadway on Saturday, 2 May, at 01:00 p.m. EDT.

Jay, together with his brother Mark, recently executive produced the documentary ‘Not Going Quietly’, which was scheduled to premiere at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, but unfortunately missed a Tribeca launch.

The documentary chronicles the life of Ady Barkan, a political activist, lawyer and Be a Hero PAC co-founder diagnosed with ALS who embarks on a nationwide campaign for healthcare reform. Over the course of his career, politicians like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and others have acknowledged and supported his work.

The perfectly timed documentary comes at a critical time, as the novel coronavirus pandemic keeps highlighting the importance of a solid healthcare system.

NOT GOING QUIETLY. © DUPLASS BROTHERS PRODUCTIONS

According to IndieWire, Jay recently stated that he and his brother had been preparing, unintentionally, for the global crisis brought forth by the pandemic with their ‘epically small’ approach to filmmaking. Their glass-half-full perspective might bring some comfort to filmmakers working on small productions during these difficult times.

Duplass explained, ‘We could be among the first people back on track and shooting. For us to make a small movie, we could take 17 people to a special rural location. We didn’t invent this model, but we’ve gotten good at it, knowing where to spend our time, energy, and resources. Actors can do their own hair and makeup and socially distance, not stacked on top of each other. That isn’t a big incubation risk.’

Jay is also scheduled to star in Amanda Peet’s six-episode series ‘The Chair’, co-starring Killing Eve‘s Sandra Oh. The show, which is executive produced by David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Amanda Peet and Sandra Oh, is set to start shooting in late summer, if the current global situation permits it.

Other notable upcoming guests on Bridge to Broadway in the next few weeks will include Tony-winning actors Andrea Martin, Ben Vereen, and Christine Ebersole, Tony winners André de Shields, Ted Sperling, Michael Cerveris and Ann Reinking, nominees Arian Moyaed, Michele Shay, Michael Berresse, and Austin Pendleton, casting director and AMPAS Board Member Bernie Telsey, showrunner Joshua Safran (‘Gossip Girl’, ‘Smash’), trans-advocate and Broadway/TV actress Alexandra Billings, and Vincent Rodriguez (‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’), among many others.

“This is a time of isolation and financial contraction for many, so we want to engender a spirit of community, accessibility, belonging and above all, service, among participants.”

In addition to actors, directors, writers, producers, casting directors, composers, lyricists, music directors, choreographers, Bridge to Broadway’s roster includes writing coaches, nutritionists, photographers, mental wellness experts, dyslexia specialists, diversity advocates etc., so that conversations transcend the world of acting.

The sessions are structured into a 30-minute interview between Erik and his guest, where they touch upon topics such as the guest’s creative process, pivotal personal and professional junctures and underlying missions, followed by a 30-minute Q&A with the participants. Each session runs for a minimum of one hour, although a few past guests have graciously shared their time and knowledge with the students for up to two hours.

Apart from being packed with invaluable behind-the-scenes tips from industry giants, these mentorship classes also come at a bargain price, so that as many students and industry professionals can join in. Additionally, those who enroll in Class Pass (granting them unlimited access to classes in May) by the end of May 1 will receive a half-hour 1-2-1 coaching session with Erik, who is a seasoned mentor and teaches all over the US.

‘Our sessions are affordable because we don’t believe students should be denied education at any age. This is a time of isolation and financial contraction for many, so we want to engender a spirit of community, accessibility, belonging and above all, service, among participants. We believe that every participant should be able to identify a role model within our roster of guest artists and should feel empowered to give something richer back to their communities after spending time with us!’, Erik explained.

ERIK LIBERMAN. © PETER KONERKO

Chameleonic actor Erik Liberman is recognized for originating roles in several productions on Broadway and off, including ‘War Paint’ with Patti LuPone, ‘The Band’s Visit’ with Tony Shalhoub, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’, and Hal Prince’s ‘LoveMusik’. Television work includes ‘Transparent’, ‘Modern Family’, and Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger’s ‘Vinyl’. Liberman has also performed in Carol Burnett’s ‘Hollywood Arms’, portrayed Groucho Marx at the Obama White House, appeared in acclaimed Stephen Sondheim revivals, as well as opposite Topol and Harvey Fierstein in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, later leading the show’s all-star 50th anniversary celebration at New York City’s Town Hall with Chita Rivera.

The Bridge to Broadway series is produced by performer and producer Marissa Lynn Daniel.

For more information and to sign up for classes, head over to https://bridgetobroadwayonline.com/