BY VINCE MILLER
STAFF WRITER

Starring on Broadway may be just a dream for many people, but many of the 17 students in a Long Branch professional acting school have taken a first step toward that goal.

The eight-week program, with 11 adults and six teenagers, began July 6 at the New Jersey Repertory Company's Lumia Theatre.

In a program based on small class size, instructor Donna Marrazzo said this is the largest class she's had since the course began last summer. Marrazzo has taught the 2004 summer, 2005 winter and 2005 spring semesters.

Marrazzo, an actress who has been teaching acting since 1983, said she's geared her instruction toward the approach she's developed in her own New York studio, which she opened in 2001.

(STAFF PHOTO: FRANK GALIPO) Long Branch resident Imani Kinnard (left), 14, watches coach Donna Marrazzo at the Lumia Theatre.

"I try to develop a technique for the individual that's best for the student," she said. "We work on creativity and emotions. The focus will be on monologues, scene study, character work and cold-reading techniques."

Marrazzo said most of her teenage students have some experience in school productions, although that is not a prerequisite.

"They have to work on expressing themselves, and that will help their self-esteem and confidence," she said.

One of her students is Middletown High School South junior Jenny Vallancourt. The 16-year-old has seen plays at the Lumia Theatre and her parents are Repertory Company members.

"I've always been interested in the theatre and want to learn the craft," she said.

Vallancourt is president of her school's drama club and has had roles in such school plays as "Laramie" and "Godspell." Among the adult students are those who want a refresher course or view the program as an opportunity to learn something about a craft they've always found interesting.

One of those students is Ray Dothard, 63, of Freehold. Dothard said he is a retired fighter pilot and commercial airlines pilot who has "always had a passion to be a race-car driver or an actor, but never attained either (goal)."

Now employed by the Federal Aviation Administration in Philadelphia, Dothard gave high marks for Marrazzo's instruction.

"I've learned more about acting in the two sessions I've attended in Long Branch than I ever learned before," he said.

Dothard said he enrolled to learn more about the craft he's always dreamed about, and aspires to act professionally, even in an off-Broadway play.

Some of Marrazzo's adult students have auditioned in New York, and one student produces industrials, which are films by and for corporations to educate their employees.

Program Administrator Rebecca Flynn said the course is "a great way to make friends. I've found that people in drama circles are creative, more open, observant and interesting."

The class meets from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays for teenagers, and from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays for adults.

The company plans to expand the program to 10 weeks in the fall, adding a monologue workshop and classes in improvisation, voice and movement, and writing plays.

There is to be an Open House on Sept. 28 at the Repertory Company, 179 Broadway, to introduce interested would-be actors and actresses to the program. The fall semester is to begin Oct. 4.

For more information, call Flynn at (732) 229-3166, Ext. 102, or visit www.njrepstudio.com on the Web.