Boardman’s got talent

Peter Sklar, a New York City talent scout and Broadway producer, knows talent when he sees it.

He saw plenty of it Nov. 21 when he visited Ruth’s Robic and Dance Company when it hosted a Fine and Performing Arts lecture by Skla. After a series of interviews, 11 students were selected to participate in The New Beginnings Workshop to be held in London and New York next year.

Mary Smrek, 17, of Boardman, was chosen and plans to attend the New York workshop in August. She believes the experience will help boost her confidence, give her more experience and be fun.

“I was very excited to be chosen,” Smrek said.

In addition to Smrek, students chosen for the workshops were Boardman’s Jessica Joerndt, Christine Libbey, Boardman, Caroline Constantinovich, Madison Reed, Boardman and McCallen Warrick (formally of Boardman, resident of Florida).

Also selected were Madison Horvath (New Middletown), Gabriella Thomas (Canfield), Javonne Lafontaine (Youngstown) and Victoria Climo and Jacob Henry, both of New Springfield.

In the spring, students can travel to London to take part in English and Shakesperean theater training and cultural and historical education. They will also be invited to New York next summer to work with professional cast members from renowned musicals and films.

At the end of the New York workshop, the students will perform individually at Orpheum Theater for major talent representatives and casting directors and receive a list of credentials and resume credit for their participation.

The workshop is designed to help develop acting, singing and dancing skills.