Mickey Rapkin

Chronicles the competition between three contending groups for the Collegiate A Cappella championship, evaluating how their achievements reflect a rising surge in the music form's popularity, as well as the diversity that has shaped its expression.

The Quest for Collegiate a Cappella Glory

Pitch Perfect

What do Natalie Portman, Robert Downey, Jr., Zach Braff, and Mandy Moore have in common? Before they were stars, they were campers at Stagedoor Manor, the premier summer theater camp for children and teenagers. Founded in 1975, Stagedoor continues to attract scores of young performers eager to find kindred spirits, to sing out loud, to become working actors—or maybe even stars. Every summer for the past thirty-five years, a new crop of campers has come to the Catskills for an intense, often wrenching introduction to professional theater. (The camp produces thirteen full-scale productions during each of its three sessions.) These kids come from varying backgrounds—the offspring of Hollywood players from Nora Ephron to Bruce Willis work alongside kids on scholarship. Some campers have agents, others are seeking representation. When Mickey Rapkin, a senior editor at GQ and self-proclaimed theater fanatic, learned about this place, he fled Manhattan for an escape to upstate New York. At Stagedoor, he tracked a trio of especially talented and determined teen actors through their final session at camp. Enter Rachael Singer, Brian Muller, and Harry Katzman, three high school seniors closing out their sometimes sheltered Stagedoor experiences and graduating into the real world of industry competition and rejection. These veteran campers—still battling childhood insecurities, but simultaneously searching for that professional gig that will catapult them to fame—pour their souls into what might be their last amateur shows. Their riveting stories are told in Theater Geek, an eye-opening, laugh-out-loud chronicle full of drama and heart, but also about the business of training kids to be professional thespians and, in some cases, child stars. (The camp has long acted as a farm system for Broadway and Hollywood, attracting visits from studio executives and casting directors.) Via original interviews with former and current campers and staff—including Mandy Moore, Zach Braff, and Jon Cryer—Rapkin also recounts Stagedoor Manor’s colorful, star-studded history: What was Natalie Portman’s breakout role as a camper? What big-time Hollywood director, then barely a teenager, dated a much older Stagedoor staff member? Why did Courtney Love (at Stagedoor visiting her daughter) get into an argument with a hot dog vendor who had set up shop at the camp? Theater Geek leads readers through the triumphs and tragedies of the three senior campers’ final summer in an absorbing, thought-provoking narrative that reveals the dynamic and inspiring human beings who populate this world. It also explores what the proliferation of theater camps says about our celebrity-obsessed youth and our most basic but vital need to fit in. Through the rivalry, heartbreak, and joy of one summer at Stagedoor Manor, Rapkin offers theater geeks of all ages a dishy, illuminating romp through the lives of serious child actors. Rich, insightful, and thoroughly entertaining, Theater Geek pulls back the curtain on an elite and intriguing world to reveal what’s really at its core: children who simply love to perform.

The Real Life Drama of a Summer at Stagedoor Manor, the Famous Performing Arts Camp

Theater Geek

A boy overcomes his first-day-of-school fears by imagining It's Not a School Bus, It's a Pirate Ship! Set sail on the high-seas with him in this picture book adventure by writer Mickey Rapkin and illustrator Teresa Martinez! The first day of school means the first ride on the school bus. But who will I sit with? What if no one talks to me? Luckily this isn’t a school bus, it’s a pirate ship! And this crew has one motto: “One for all and all for FUN!” So set sail on a voyage across the high seas! And prepare to make some pirate buddies along the way in this adventure about overcoming your anxiety. An Imprint Book “Rapkin and Martinez build on the imaginative fun of It’s Not a Bed, It’s a Time Machine . . . Martinez’s whimsical flights of fancy fill the illustrations to bursting. Imagination conquers fear yet again.” —Kirkus Reviews

It's Not a School Bus, It's a Pirate Ship

Brad Goreski

Join Brad on his wild ride as he transforms from a small-town boy into a big-time Hollywood fashionista Fans know Brad Goreski as the fun-loving, bow-tie-wearing celebrity stylist. They have watched the reality star climb his way through the ranks of the fashion world, as he transformed himself from an assistant stylist into a full-fledged style icon. Along the way, they have experienced his near-fashion disasters and red-carpet victories. But what they might not know is that Brad's first clients were his Barbie dolls or that he grew up in a small town far removed from the glitz of Hollywood. His love of glamour, sparkles, and costume jewelry set him apart from the other boys at school. In spite of this, he embraced his differences and followed his passion. Landing an internship and later a job at Vogue helped the young Brad break into the competitive fashion world and eventually capture the hearts of millions as the quirky and endearing assistant on The Rachel Zoe Project. Now, for the first time ever, Brad reveals the moving story of his road to success, and offers a glimpse into his world today, filled with insider access to the countless red carpets and awards shows he has worked across the globe. Of course, Brad also shares his fashion advice, style tips, and tricks to help you look your best. Part style guide, part memoir, and full of inspiration, Born to Be Brad will delight both loyal fans and newcomers alike. Brad Goreski, who has been called the "Zelig of Fashion Week" by the New York Times, and "a style icon for [the] new generation" by Elle magazine, is a celebrity stylist, fashion role model, and the star of the Bravo reality hit It's a Brad, Brad World. Brad is a trendsetter who lives by the motto "Fashion allows you to be whoever you want to be. Take risks and have fun with it!" His hilarious personality has made him a favorite with celebrities and fans alike. Mickey Rapkin is a regular columnist at Elle magazine and the author of Theater Geek: The Real Life Drama of a Summer at Stagedoor Manor and Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory, now in development with Universal Pictures. His work has also appeared in the New York Times.

Mickey Rapkin

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