SUMMER at Wheelock Family Theatre

SUMMER CLASS LISTINGS ARE HERE!

WFT SUMMER 2012 CLASSES












WFT SUMMER 2012 FIVE-DAY INTENSIVES:

Mon.,6/25-Fri., 6/29, 9:00am-3:30pm. Tuition: $400. Deposit due: $150

For ages 6-8: Welcome to the Circus! Many adventures await Under the Big Top! Students will be introduced to ways of building a believable character, whether it be a clown or an acrobat, a tiger or a tightrope walker, a magician or an elephant. Using great stories from children’s literature as their inspiration, students will improvise scenes, design visual elements and share what they have learned at a week’s end demonstration for families and friends!

For ages 9-12: Behind the Scenes: Intro to Stagecraft. The magic of a professional theatre production is made by people who are never seen on the stage. They create everything from a mechanical bird to a giant head! This class will introduce students to what goes on backstage to make what happens onstage work—using imaginative tricks to make Styrofoam look like steel or strips of fabric like a blazing fire!


SPECIAL TWO-WEEK TEEN MUSICAL THEATRE INTENSIVE:

Mon., 6/25-Fri., 7/6, 8:30-3:45pm. Tuition: $800. Deposit due: $300

For Teens ages 13 – 16 (no class on 7/4)

There’s nothing like being a triple threat onstage! This two-week intensive offers the opportunity to delve more deeply into the complex challenges of balancing singing, dancing and acting. Students will focus on how to tell a compelling story through all three art forms, leading to a performance-demonstration on the final day!


4-WEEK JULY PROGRAM: for Children ages 6 to 8

Monday, 7/9– Friday 8/3
New! Two pathways for the JULY program:
Creative Drama Comprehensive: Monday, 7/9-Friday, 8/3, 9am-3:30pm.

This four-week curriculum is specially designed for children who attend all four weeks. Each week has a different focus: Movement; Voice; Creating a Character; and Story Elements. Each week’s work is designed to build on previous work and demonstrations will be held after two weeks (work-in-progress) and four weeks (final demonstration). This is an opportunity for the young actor to truly be immersed in the world of theatre and gain the confidence that comes from developing a set of skills over time.

Creative Drama Exploration I and II: Monday, 7/9-Friday, 7/20 and Monday, 7/23-Friday, 8/3, 9am-3:30pm. These two 2-week programs take a wider, more exploratory approach and are perfect for introducing to children who attend for one or two weeks to a panorama of drama skills. Dramatizing children’s literature will lead students on a journey through theatre games, improvisations, creative movement, masks, puppets and more! Demonstrations will be held at the end of each two-week session.


2-WEEK AUGUST PROGRAM: for Children ages 6 to 8

Monday, 8/6 – Friday, 8/17
CREATING A MINI-MUSICAL Monday-Friday, 8/6-17, 9am-3:30pm. New! This two-week program focuses on acting, singing and dancing, sometimes all at the same time! A mini-musical will be presented on the final Friday for friends and families.
Tuition:

Full-day sessions per week: $400.

4 weeks full sessions: $1500.

All 6 July & August weeks full sessions: $2200.



For multi-class discounts please contact WFT directly.

You can register over the telephone: 617-879-2252 or online http://www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org/

July and August Drama Classes for youth ages 9-11:
PUTTING ON A PLAY: Session 1: Monday-Friday, 7/9-20, 9am- 12 noon

Session 2: Monday-Friday, 7/23-8/3, 9am-12 noon

A chance to experience the whole theatrical process from beginning to end! Students design, produce, and perform pieces created from dramatic literature for invited guests at the end of each two-week session. Previous experience recommended but not required.
Tuition: $450 for each 2-week session; $850 for both.


Morning Specialty Workshops: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-12:00 noon

Week 1. COMEDY JAM – 7/9-13. Students will work on comic scenes, invent comic personalities, and discover what makes an audience crack up. The intricate, almost mathematical structure of comedy will be explored and lots of fun will be had!

Week 2. ACT NOW! – 7/16-20 – Why wait? Students will focus on developing many ways to express themselves within a character and a story. In particular, they will explore how to be genuine and honest in what if situations.

Week 3. BROADWAY KIDS I – 7/23-27. Move over Broadway! This class has become so popular that we now offer two sections of it! (Each is different, so students can take one or both.) Singing, dancing, and acting their hearts out, participants are guaranteed to be challenged and exuberant by week’s end!

Week 3. PUPPET SLAM – 7/23-27. Shadow puppets, found-object puppets, bunraku—all feature inanimate objects created and animated by the skill of the puppeteer. In this class, students will create original puppets and bring them to life in scenes performed at the end of the week!

Week 4. BROADWAY KIDS II– 7/30-8/3. Move over again, Broadway! This class has become so popular that we now offer two sections of it! (Each is different, so students can take one or both.) Singing, dancing, and acting their hearts out, participants are guaranteed to be challenged and exuberant by week’s end!

Week 6. ACTING FOR THE CAMERA-8/6-10. How is acting for the camera different from acting for a live audience? This introductory class provides an overview of the specific techniques used by performers on screen, as well as the various kinds of work available for actors on camera. Students will work with film scripts, commercial copy, educational/training video projects and more.

Week 7. ACTING FOR COMMERCIALS-8/13-17. What are the ingredients of a good commercial? What tools and techniques does an actor need when selling a product on television? Students will experiment on-camera with various approaches to commercial acting and then see the results!


July and August Drama Classes for youth ages 9-11: Afternoon Specialty Workshops: Mon-Fri, 12:30-3:30pm

Week 1. ENSEMBLE ACTING: TEAMWORK IN THEATRE – 7/9-13. In many ways, theatre is like sports: beginning with solid technique, improving with frequent practice; giving close attention to details. Collaboration is what brings great results!

Week 2. BEHIND THE SCENES: INTRO TO TECHNICAL THEATRE-7/16-20. Who made that car and those crowns in The Phantom Tollbooth? Who made all those crazy props in The Wizard of Oz? Learn how solving problems backstage creates magic onstage with props and costumes!

Week 3. THEATRE INSPIRED BY WORLD CULTURES – 7/23-27. A quick zip around the globe in time and space! Students will explore the varying ways of dramatizing stories from different cultures and in different ages.

Week 4. SHAKIN’ IT WITH SHAKESPEARE – 7/30-8/3. Bring on the Bard! This class will decode the sometimes perplexing language of Shakespeare, helping students to discover the meaning, humor, and variety of emotions behind the words.

Week 5. AUDITIONING: PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD – 8/6-10. Being well prepared can keep those audition jitters at bay. In this class, students will work on cold readings and rehearse monologues, explore various relaxation techniques, and learn what it takes to make a favorable first impression.

Week 6. MASKED THEATRE-8/13-17. The ability to convey thoughts and emotions onstage without relying on facial expression is a key tool for the actor. Students will learn how to create their own masks and the characters behind them using full-body physicalization techniques.



Morning & Afternoon Workshops Tuition:

1-3 sessions: $235 each. 4 am or pm sessions: $850. 6 sessions or more: $200 each.

For multi-class discounts please contact WFT directly.

You can register over the telephone: 617-879-2252 or online http://www.wheelockfamilytheatre.org/
DEPOSIT DUE: 20% of total (balance due at registration)

SPECIAL DISCOUNT: $1,550 – for registration totaling 8 sessions (in any combinations).
Staff supervision is provided during the 12-12:30pm lunch period.

Students in all summer programs must bring their own snacks and (if needed) lunches daily.



July Drama Classes for teens ages 12-16:
STORY TROUPERS Monday, 7/9 – Friday, 8/3 9:00am – 12:00 noon

Instructors: Grace Napier, Sophie Rich Tuition: $850
Join an ensemble of advanced teen actors and play a wide range of roles, from outrageous slapstick comedy to tender, touching stories! For 2 weeks, rehearse an original show based on children’s literature. Then, for another 2 weeks, perform and polish the show for young audiences at childcare centers, camps and libraries throughout greater Boston. An audition, previous stage experience, 4-week commitment, and willingness to take artistic risks are necessary!

July Drama Classes for teens ages 12-16: Morning Specialty Workshops: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-12:00 noon
Week 1. AUDITIONING FOR MUSICAL THEATRE – 7/9-13. Musicals require a particular brand of auditioning: every song must tell a story. Students will learn how to make informed choices about everything involved in the audition process—from song selection to resumes. By the end of the week, participants will have a fully prepared audition piece!

Week 2. CREATING CHARACTERS I – 7/16-20. Examines the essential elements of developing distinctive and believable characters. Improvs, exercises, and games will help students make strong performance choices physically, vocally, and emotionally. (Sections I and II cover different material; students can choose one or both.)

Week 3. CREATING CHARACTERS II – 7/23-27. Focuses on interpreting characters from a script. Students will learn to identify and overcome their individual actor habits to develop characters who are distinctly different from themselves. (Sections I and II cover different material; students can choose one or both.)

Week 4. STAGE COMBAT – 7/30-8/3. Heads up! Spotlights techniques for safely and realistically creating dangerous battles and heroic struggles. Emphasizes the combination of mental and physical discipline needed for memorable clashes on stage!

July Drama Classes for teens ages 12-16: Afternoon Specialty Workshops: Mon-Fri, 12:30-3:30

Week 1. COMEDY IMPROV – 7/9-13. An introduction to the fundamental skills of comic improvisation. Students will learn what makes a scene funny while honing their ability to listen and build off other people’s ideas.

Week 2. VOCAL TECHNIQUE FOR ACTORS – 7/16-20. Talking, like breathing, is something we take for granted: we do it all the time, but we don’t really pay much attention to it. This class focuses on correct breathing, connecting breath to voice, and connecting voice to movement, gesture, emotion and different characters.

Week 3. BROADWAY SONG & DANCE I – 7/23-27. A star is born! This class has become so popular that we now offer two sections of it. (Each is different, so students can take one or both.) Participants will be guided on an amazingly ambitious journey through Broadway musicals in one week’s time—acting, singing, and dancing as they never have done before!

Week 4. ACTING THE CLASSICS – 7/30-8/3. Learn from the best! This class explores the work of such playwrights as Shakespeare, Moliere, Ibsen, and Shaw. Students will learn how to connect motion and emotion with challenging texts and the acting styles that are especially suited to a range of classic plays.

Week 4. BROADWAY SONG & DANCE II – 7/30-8/3. More stars are born! This class has become so popular that we now offer two sections of it. (Each is different, so students can take one or both.) Participants will be guided on an amazingly ambitious journey through Broadway musicals in one week’s time—acting, singing, and dancing as they never have done before!
Morning & Afternoon Workshops Tuition:

1-3 sessions: $235 each. 4 am or pm sessions: $850. 6 sessions or more: $200 each.

For multi-class discounts please contact WFT directly.

You can register over the telephone: 617-879-2252 or online www.WheelockFamilyTheatre.org



DEPOSIT DUE: 20% of total (balance due at registration)

SPECIAL DISCOUNT: $1,550 – for registration totaling 8 sessions (in any combinations).
Staff supervision is provided during the 12-12:30pm lunch period.

Students in all summer programs must bring their own snacks and (if needed) lunches daily.

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AUGUST 2012 CLASSES
NEW ALL-SUMMER EXTENDED DAY OPTION FOR ALL AGES,

JUNE-AUGUST, 8:30am-5:00pm: $75 per week

TWO-WEEK ADVANCED PERFORMANCE INTENSIVE For Youth , Ages 10-14

Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 17

9am-3:30pm Tuition: $850 Deposit due: $200

Performing Musical Theatre. This two-week intensive provides an opportunity for youngsters who have considerable training and stage experience. The focus will be on addressing the totality of necessary skills identified by WFT Casting Director Jane Staab as important and often lacking in this age group. In this intensive, students will have a comprehensive “summer stock” experience by putting together a mini-musical in two weeks. The emphasis will be on developing the many skills needed to become a professional actor, both onstage and behind the scenes. Morning work includes voice, movement and acting exercises, as well as an exploration of aspects of technical theatre. Afternoons focus on rehearsal, with an emphasis on process and each actor’s role in creating a strong ensemble performance. The intensive will culminate with a public performance on the WFT mainstage on Friday, August 17th.

By invitation and/or audition. Musical TBA.


TWO-WEEK ADVANCED PERFORMANCE INTENSIVE For Teens, Ages 14-18

Monday, August 6 – Friday, August 17

12:30-6:30pm Tuition: $850 Deposit due: $200

"Raising The Bar: Exploring The Actor's Process"

Teen actors aged 14-18 with prior acting training and performance experience are selected by audition/invitation only. In this program, students committed to deepening their acting skills and knowledge of the craft immerse themselves for two weeks in intensive advanced theatre training. Through challenging exercises and workshops in vocal, movement, and character work, and exploring scenes from outstanding plays, students experience the actor's process in-depth. They receive intensive ensemble training and are given specific individual attention and feedback under the direction of Fran Weinberg, one of greater Boston's finest acting teachers and coaches. The program culminates in an "Open Studio" showcase performance of their work on the Mainstage of the Wheelock Family Theatre on the final evening of the program.

By invitation and/or audition.