Summer 2023 Musical Theatre Intensive!

 

Summer 2023 Intensive

Class Descriptions

All classes are tuition-free and open to all rising 9th-12th grade students! Free Theatre alumni are also welcome if there is room in the class. You must be able to commit to attend all sessions of the class in order to register (exceptions may be considered on a case by case basis). Also, please watch for classes that overlap — you cannot be in two places at the same time. Classes will be held in-person. Calendar and registration form links are at the bottom of this page!

Instructor bios can be found HERE.


Class Locations:
BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD 20874 
The Ratner Museum, 10001 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814


AUDITIONING WORKSHOP

(1 class, limited to 30 students) 
Date: Sunday, August 13
Time: 2-6 pm 
Instructors: Rikki Howie Lacewell and Marci Shegogue
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

This workshop will prepare you for the basic musical theatre audition process. We will be covering what to bring with you, how to prep materials, best ways to present yourself, and how to get through the audition feeling confident. We will focus on the vocal part of the audition including choosing songs, warming up, and how to collaborate with an accompanist; the dance audition, including what to wear and how to do your best even as a non-dancer; the cold read, including how to prepare for anything. We will have some demos on dos and don’ts!  Please bring with you: a 3-ring binder (any size) with two clean hole-punched print-outs of sheet music for songs you like to sing, several pieces of notebook paper, a highlighter and a pencil. 

 

DIRECTING INTENSIVE

(6 classes in the session, limited to 10 students)
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays, July 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31
Time: 6-9pm
Instructor: TJ Lukascina
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts
What does it take to stage a musical? This class will aim to teach you how the many parts of a musical connect, influence, balance and interact with each other while under your direction. Show preparation, rehearsal techniques, collaboration, and achieving your vision are all important when you’re directing the show.

 

ACTING A SONG

(3 classes in the session, limited to 10 students)
Dates: Tuesdays June 20, 27 and July 11 (no class July 4)
Time:  9am-12pm
Instructor: Jimmy Mavrikes
Location: The Ratner Museum
In this class, we will focus on the fundamentals of musical theatre: acting through song, resumes, audition techniques, and more!  Bring the songs you love to perform most and let’s have fun. Whether you’re a newbie to musical theatre, or you’re looking to sharpen your skills from the bottom up, this class is for you! 

 

CHOREOGRAPHY INTENSIVE

(4 classes, limited to 10 students)
Dates: Saturdays July 8, 15, 22, 29
Time: 12-3pm
Instructor: Melanie Barber
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

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 how to collaborate with the rest of the creative and production team (director, musical director, stage manager and designers) and talk about tips, tricks and pitfalls when it comes to being a choreographer.

 

CHOREO THEORY

(3 classes, limited to 10 students)
Dates: Wednesdays July 12, 19, 26
Time: 6-9pm
Instructor: Rikki Howie Lacewell
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

The principles of choreographing include structure, design, devices, and relationships. Learn how to use these principles in conjunction with organization to create choreography. If you are considering leadership roles, this class is a great companion class to the Choreography Intensive!

 

MUSIC DIRECTING INTENSIVE 

(7 classes, limited to 10 students) 
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays July 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27 and Aug 1 
Time: 6-9pm Instructor: Marci Shegogue 
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts

This workshop is intensive training for students interested in being hired as a Music Director for theatre productions. Prerequisite: intermediate piano, note reading and choral singing. You will learn everything that is involved in music directing, including preparing a score, working with the creative and production teams, auditions/casting, the rehearsal process, assigning and teaching vocal harmonies, vocal coaching basics, hiring and working with pit musicians, conducting, and how to be an effective leader. This class will focus on applying these skills.

 

COSTUME DESIGN INTENSIVE 

(6 classes, limited to 10 students)
Dates: July 8, 11, 13, 22, 25, 28
Time: July 8 and 22 are 9am-12pm, the rest are 6-9pm
Instructor: Kristina Martin
Location:  BlackRock Center for the Arts
This course introduces students to the basics of theatrical costume design including script analysis, theory, research, visual creation and presentation, use of construction techniques in design consideration, budgeting, collaboration and the importance of historical periods in art and fashion. Throughout the workshop you will have the opportunity to put all this information into practice with weekly projects that further the practical use of each lesson. You’ll leave this 6-session class with a fully designed show, ready to take on future solo projects.

 

LIGHTING DESIGN INTENSIVE 

(5 classes, limited to 10 students)
Dates: Monday-Friday July 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Time: 12-3pm
Location: The Ratner Museum
Instructor: Hailey LaRoe
Come learn how to be a Lighting Designer! In this class you will learn the process of coming up with a lighting design. We’ll talk about the basics of lighting design, from coming up with a design concept, turning that concept into a light plot, and cueing and creating lighting looks for a show. You will learn about the basic principles of lighting design, how to integrate lighting with other design elements, and we will learn some practical skills such as building plots and basic lighting programming. Any interested students are welcomed to join!

 

SCENIC DESIGN INTENSIVE 

(4 classes, limited to 10 students)
Dates: July 6, 8, 10, 12
Time: July 8 is 12-2pm at BlackRock Center for the Arts
           The rest are 3-5pm at The Ratner Museum

Ever wonder who decides what scenery ends up on stage? Join local scenic designer Megan Holden as she takes you into the world of scenic design! This hands on workshop will cover the basics of designing scenery for the stage and give each student a chance to design, model, and share their very own designs. Learn how to bring your ideas to life on stage!

 

PROPS DESIGN INTENSIVE

(1 workshop, limited to 10 students)
Date: July 24
Time: 12:30-3:30pm
Location: The Ratner Museum
Instructor: Rooster Skylar Sultan

In this one-day workshop, you will learn the process of theatrical prop design, including organizing, procuring, creativity and tracking techniques. We will discuss how prop design fits into the bigger picture of the production, and how collaboration with the creative and production teams can make or break a show. 

 

THEATRE & IMPROV GAMES!

(3 individual workshops, limited to 10 students each)
Dates: June 30, July 6 and July 18
Time: 6-9pm
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts
Instructor: Jessica Vogel

Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 Theatre Improv Game nights!  We will spend the whole time playing theatre games – have fun with some old favorites, and experience some new ones with us! 

 

STAGE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

(1 workshop, limited to 10 students)
Dates: July 22
Time: 3-8pm
Location: BlackRock Center for the Arts
Instructor: Brittany Huffman and Lauren Markovich

Regardless of your level of stage management knowledge, this is a chance for you to walk through the basics, ask questions and get them answered, and learn problem-solving.  

 

INTRO TO DRAMATURGY

(2 classes, no limit)
Dates: July 27 and 28
Time: 6-8pm
Location: on Zoom, link will be sent to registrants
Instructor: Rikki Howie Lacewell
Dramaturgy is all about understanding a script in its context, and giving a production structure and foundation. It’s the path to understanding the message, the setting and the way the story is told. If you really want the full directing experience, dramaturgy opens the door to understanding and application.

 

 

Click on the links below for the full calendar and registration form!

Summer 2023 Intensive Schedule Calendar

Registration Form