Forgive me for not making this speech in person but since Melinda Atwood refused to pop for a live satellite feed I had to settle for writing this letter. Old fashioned, I know, but I'll just have to trust Melinda's dulcet tones to properly convey my enthusiasm and gratitude for this incredible organization.

Ironically enough, it is because of DanceBreak that I am unable to be there this year. Allow me to explain: A year ago today few people knew who I was and even fewer knew I was a choreographer. I was in a heap of debt with only a freshly printed bar tending license to help me get out of it. That, and a boatload of gumption. Turns out, no one pays much for gumption these days so I had a boatload of it just crowding my studio apartment.

Enter Melinda Atwood and The DanceBreak Organization... an incredible, altruistic institution dedicated to fostering the undiscovered talents of people just like me.

I submitted. I was chosen. I presented my work just as these talented 6 will in a moment.

Sitting in the audience that fateful day was one Jason Moore, a director in search of a choreographer who, only three weeks after seeing my work at Dance Break, asked me to Choreograph his small, low-budget, fledgling little Broadway Musical called... SHREK.

My life changed literally overnight and today, as Melinda reads this, I am downtown wondering what the hell I'm doing sitting in a room next to Jeffrey Katzenberg and Sam Mendes. The bruises I've inflicted on my arm from pinching myself are the only proof that I'm not dreaming.

And it didn't stop there. A few weeks ago I had the honor of working on "Jerry Springer: The Opera" at Carnegie Hall and I just began work on the New York Philharmonic's upcoming concert of "Camelot" to be presented at Lincoln Center in May. This embarrassment of riches is, without a doubt, a direct result of DanceBreak.

I share my story with you today so that no one ever underestimates the value of this event. In addition, I appeal to those of you out there with the financial means to support this fantastic organization to do everything you can to ensure that our industry continues to benefit from it for years to come. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't admit there was one downside to all this. Because of the once-in-a-lifetime, remarkable opportunity I received at Dance Break, I never got to use my bar tending license. I'm still trying, though. Anyone for Cosmos??

Thank you all for supporting dance in musical theater and enjoy the show!

Most sincerely,

Josh Prince