Lainie Munro is the Artistic Director of “The Broadway Big Brother/ Big Sister Program”- a program she created in 2001 that provides aspiring young performers in BDC's Children & Teen Program the opportunity to work with and learn from professional dancers in the Broadway community. The young performer is matched with a Broadway professional who's own personality, style and interests compliment the child; a true "Big Brother" or "Big Sister." The children meet for five Sundays at the Broadway Dance Center, working side by side with their Big Brother or Sister rehearsing a production number choreographed by Ms. Munro. Through rehearsals and a performance, the children gain an invaluable experience. They learn about performing/acting with a partner, staging, and professional work ethics. The wealth of knowledge and experience that each Big Brother or Sister brings to the table, they learn a lot about the "business" of show business and the hard work and discipline involved in making a career as a professional performer. This year’s cast performed June 14, 2009 at the Danny Kaye Playhouse Theatre at Hunter College in New York City.

Lainie was selected as a finalist for the Woman’s Day Magazine Awards, “Women That Inspire Us”, for her work with the Broadway Big Brother/ Big Sister Program.

Broadway Big Brother/Big Sister 2009 Cast

This year's Broadway Big Brothers and Big Sisters:
Julio Agustin, Purdie Bauman, Summer Broyhill, Tiffany Cooper, Colleen Hawks, Tari Kelly, Michelle Lookadoo, April Nixon, Gayle Holsman Seay, LaQuet Sharnell, Bret Shuford, Byron St. Cyr, Taylor Sternberg and Jen Taylor.

The Little Brothers and Sisters:
Marcellus Brown, Tristen Buettel, Mariah Eugenia Ferrante, Danielle Imbriano, Stefania Lessen, Samantha Logan, Adam Mandala, Jenny Mollet, Tareake Ramos, Cristina Rodriguez, Anthony Santos, Juliette Stewart, Maddie Warriner and Maya Wright.

For more information, visit Broadway Dance Center's page.