BJ Myers of Peachtree City has been selected to perform in the finale of the 83rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Myers, 15, is a student at Woodward Academy and has been dancing since the age of three. His love of dancing led him to learn about acting and singing and soon he was finding himself in productions in the Atlanta area, including Atlanta Opera’s “Aida,” as well as the original cast of “The Color Purple” at The Alliance Theater.
For the past two summers, Myers has attended Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Training Center in Loch Sheldrake, New York. During his stay, the students were asked to sign up and tryout for an opportunity to perform in a very special event this fall. Myers was selected and now he will join 60 fellow performers from that program in a first ever singing/dancing finale for the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade, celebrating the holiday since 1924, is today viewed live by over 2 million spectators along the route and an estimated 65 million NBC viewers nationwide.
Over 400 singer-dancers auditioned and applied for the Macy’s performance troupe. There are 22 states and three countries represented in the cast, ages 10 to 18. Students will bring a new twist to the Santa Claus finale, performing in front of the Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street.
Since his selection, Myers has been familiarizing himself with the music. He traveled to New York City on Sunday and began what will be a demanding week of rehearsals to prepare for the parade finale. Upon his return, Myers goes back to rehearsals with the True Colors Theatre Company for their production of “Black Nativity.”
Myers will join high profile celebrities, iconic floats, giant balloons, and elite marching bands in this American tradition recognized by most as the official start of the holiday season.
“We are thrilled to be chosen by Macy’s for this exciting new addition to their program!” states Stagedoor owner Cindy Samuelson. “The preparation, the rehearsals, have been a once in a lifetime experience for these talented kids.”
Stagedoor Manor is a summer of total immersion in theater for young actors, singers, and dancers. For 35 years the program has been educating those who aspire to careers in the entertainment industry and have a long list of successful alumni including Natalie Portman, Zach Braff, Josh Charles, and Robert Downey Jr.
Myers stated that dance is his first love, but he has hopes to be a well-rounded entertainer working in the performance field. “I hope to do a little bit of everything, movies and music,” Myers said. “I want to do it all.”
He’s off to a good start.
