Musical Theatre Intensive
Class Descriptions
Core Classes in Dance, Acting and Voice All classes will take place on Sundays between 10am and 4:30pm. Check out our Instructor bios!
DANCE FOR MUSICAL THEATRE - FULL
Sundays 11am-1pm, August 23 - Sept 13 Instructors: Rikki Lacewell, w/guest Wilson Mendieta
Sundays 2:30-4:30pm, August 23 - Sept 13 Instructors: Julian Rachal, Jennifer Hopkins
In this class, we will be examining the dances of historical Musical Theatre, from creation to stage, up to 1950. Our focus will be on movement pieces and basic dance steps for movers, and how to get movers to dance. You will learn tips and tricks to choreo creation, auditions, teaching and editing. We will apply skills through a movement piece encompassing styles learned, and learn how to break down a choreo audition.
DANCE GENRES - FULL
Sundays 2:30-4:30pm, Sept 20 - Oct 25 (no class on Sept 27)
Instructors: Julian Rachal, Melanie Barber, Jennifer Hopkins
Experience a different genre of dance each week. Classes will include jazz, ballet barre, tap, Fosse MT, contemporary MT, and more!
ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY - FULL
Sundays 11:30-1pm, Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructor: Michael Page
Sundays 2:30-4pm, Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructors: Rikki Lacewell, Michael Page
Learn how to create pieces for varying styles of dance, and develop the critical eye necessary to edit your own choreography.
ACTING FOUNDATIONS: Basics - FULL
Sundays 11am-1pm, Sept 20 - Oct 25 (no class on Sept 27)
Instructor: Megan Behm
This class will cover the basic core principles of acting through a series of exercises and activities. With an equal focus on creativity and analysis, this class is designed to teach students how to inhabit and develop characters, respond to given circumstances, and mine a text for motivation and objectives.
ACTING FOUNDATIONS: Advanced - FULL
Sundays 2:30-4:30pm, Sept 20 - Oct 25 (no class on Sept 27)
Instructor: Rikki Lacewell
In this class, we will break down the text of a monologue and learn varying ways of presenting the work. We will discuss emotions in acting, how to incorporate your history, and learn how to understand text that is different from your racial, gender, religious context. We will also work through the differences of presentation vs. presentational. This class will also include a Shakespeare text study led by one of our student company members.
MUSICAL THEATRE SCENES (Acting) - (virtual recital on Dec 6) - FULL
Sundays 10-11:30am, Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructor: Rikki Lacewell
Sundays 11:30am-1pm, Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructor: Hope Villanueva
Sundays 2:30-4pm, Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructor: Jon Jon Johnson
This class will focus on examining musical theater scenes from all perspectives through script, song and movement/dance. We will study the history of the scene and what the actors can bring to it. Then we will break down scenes from all aspects and recreate them with your new vision. Active participation will be encouraged in a practice song/scene, leading to a performance (likely filmed). You will be expected to learn music and memorize lines for this class.
VOCAL COACHING (indiv 30 min. classes - FULL
Sundays on half hours between 11am-1pm and 2:30-4:30pm, August 23 - Sept 13
Sundays on half hours between 11am-1pm and 2:30-4:30pm, Sept 20 - Oct 25 (no class on Sept 27)
Instructors: Andrew Scott Zimmer, Walter "Bobby" McCoy, Nicole Cherecwich, Chris Pinder
In these classes, you will work one-on-one with a professional music director to develop your singing voice. Skills and techniques taught will be tailored to each person’s specific needs and goals. We can work on whatever you’d like, including preparing college audition videos (including monologues and slating), interpreting and phrasing lyrics, singing in different styles, taking care of your instrument, reading music, and whatever else that comes up along the way.
VOCAL COACHING for Performance (small group classes, virtual recital Dec 6) - FULL Prerequisite: Vocal Coaching Sundays 12-1pm (A), Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructor: Marci Shegogue and Nicole Cherecwich Sundays 12-1pm (B), Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructor: Nicole Cherecwich Sundays 2:30-3:30pm, Nov 1 - Nov 29 Instructor: Marci Shegogue
If you have taken a vocal coaching class, you will bring the songs you have worked on into one of these group settings, to work together on fine-tuning for performance.
PRODUCTION WORKSHOP - FULL
Sunday 2:30-4:30pm, August 23 only
Instructors: Gordon Nimno-Smith, Hailey LaRoe, Shemika Berry, Megan Holden
Lighting, scenic, costumes, make-up, sound designer breakout rooms will be set up where you can talk shop with professional designers.
Specialty Workshops
STAGE MANAGEMENT Workshop (4 classes) - FULL Sundays 10-11:30am, Sept 20 and Oct 4, plus 2 weekday afternoon classes decided on by students/teacher Instructor: Hope Villanueva
Learn basic responsibilities of being a Stage Manager, including how to set up a schedule and work with a director, take blocking notes, create effective rehearsal reports, integrate backstage, and tracking props, scenic, quick changes, entrances and exits. You will also learn how to use QLab, write cues, run tech, and call a show.
PLAYWRITING Workshop (6 classes) - FULL
Sundays 10-11:30am, Nov 1, 8, 15, plus 3 weekday afternoon classes decided on by students/teacher
Instructor: Hope Villanueva
We will take a look at the difference between structure and plot and learn how to use both. We will also work on activating a dramatic question by using motivated characters. There will be daily quick-writes and in-session short writing activities to apply your skills. Class culminates in the completion of a ten-minute play, with an option for recital presentation (likely filmed).
CHOREOGRAPHER'S Workshop (3 classes) - FULL
Sundays 10-11am, Aug 30, Sept 6, Sept 13
Instructor: Rikki Lacewell
This class will consist of discussions and practicum in the art of dance-making (choreography) using dance steps and working through how they fit into pieces. You will learn how to create dances that fit time, place, story and skill levels, and also work on audition setups. We will focus on tips, tricks and pitfalls when it comes to being a choreographer.
MUSIC DIRECTING Workshop (15 classes, no class on Sept 27) - FULL
Sundays 10-11am Aug 16 - Nov 22
Instructor: Marci Shegogue
This is a specialty workshop geared toward those who are seriously looking to train to be a Music Director for theatre productions. Skills needed: intermediate piano, note reading and choral singing. This weekly workshop will teach you everything that is involved in music directing, including preparing a score, working with a choreographer and director, hiring musicians, assigning and teaching vocal harmonies, analyzing instrumental pieces, vocal coaching basics, and how to be an effective leader. Students may be asked to work with the Musical Theatre Scenes classes and Vocals for Performance classes as Music Directors-in-training.
Company Activities
Each Sunday we are offering special company-wide activities to get the basics of creating theatre, build community, be able to collaborate, and learn from each other, Here are just SOME of the activities planned!
Production Basics “The big picture” of how a musical theater production is put together from start to finish. This activity will be the opening workshop for all students to get grounded in the magic of theater.
Anti-Racism Workshops “A Walk in My Shoes” with Rikki Lacewell, “Selecting Shows” with Raymond Caldwell (Theater Alliance), “Remembering Our Joy” with Arthur Callahan, Lisa Young and Aria Velz
Show Breakdowns: “In the Heights” (with Elena Velasco, Pria Dahiya and Kenny Rodriguez), “Hamilton” (with Marc de la Cruz), “Ragtime” (with Kevin McAllister, ArtCentric) and “Once On This Island” (guests TBA soon!) will be studied and discussed with our special guests!
Bigs and Littles Program
Spring Show debate and final choice!
Would you like to see a complete overview of the program?
Click HERE!