Students will study design and management as they build their stagecraft skills. Our workshop will explore how each area contributes to storytelling in the theater and how production decisions are made. Our focus will be on the collaborative process. We will discuss different styles of production and divergent storytelling techniques. Guest speakers will include designers, technicians, and managers from the New York performing arts community.

Online, skill-building classes will introduce scenery and costume crafts, lighting and sound technology, drafting, drawing, and painting. We will incorporate both traditional and digital tools to investigate scale and proportion. Students will receive art supplies, materials, and tools necessary to complete assigned projects during the program. Management classes will introduce the principles and practices of stage and production management. The workshop will conclude with the creation and presentation of an original theatre piece combining skills gained in all areas of design and technical theater. Finally, we will work with the students to develop their resumes and portfolios to best showcase their talents.

This weekly theatre studies course is overseen by the Director of the program. In a question and answer format, students interact with theatre professionals and leaders in the field of theatre in New York. Guests discuss maintaining successful careers in this new era with a special emphasis on creating professional spaces of inclusion, equity, belonging and social justice issues.

Requirements

Students must use a desktop or laptop computer (see recommendations below) with a webcam, microphone, and audio capability. Students should also have access to a smartphone or other digital recording device to record and upload video.

Recommended Computer Specs 

Computers will be central to the training this summer. We recommend a laptop (Mac preferred, but Windows is suitable) that is less than five years old with a minimum of 10 GBs free storage, running Windows 10/macOS 10.13; i5 or better quad-core processor above 1.9 GHz and 8 GBs RAM.

The 4-unit studio schedule is as follows:

• Monday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. EDT

• Tuesday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. EDT

• Wednesday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. EDT

• Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 3:00 - 5:15 p.m., Theatre in NY 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. EDT

• Friday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. EDT

Classes will be held during studio hours only. There will also be opportunities for one on one coaching.

Shows/Performances

As a program, we will watch four shows that are available to stream. We will discuss these shows as a group and in studio. The shows will be selected to represent a variety of performance styles and genres with an emphasis on illuminating underrepresented voices and communities.

Final Events

On Thursday August 5, there will be an all-department gathering. This will be a virtual culmination of the program, during which we will recognize and celebrate the work that has been created over the duration of the month. 

On the final day, Friday August 6, parents will be invited to virtually attend and observe studio classes.