New Play Development Intensive

Ages 14-18

June 25-July 8
Two-week session

Student Performances
Saturday, July 8, 8 p.m.

Flex all your creative muscles in a brand new intensive that combines two of the Idyllwild Arts Academy’s exciting Theatre and Creative Writing departments. You will create a completely original evening of theatre to be performed for the public, under the stars. This intensive is ideal for emerging artists from around the country who want to lend their talents to this 100% student-created work. Instructors, boasting professional theater and writing credits, will work with student writers and actors to create, develop, and perform a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event.

You will be encouraged to write and act, or focus on the discipline you choose. Stage managers, stage technicians and aspiring directors are also encouraged to attend. Sign on for this unique artistic journey!

Performance classes will include acting, voice and speech, and movement for stage.

Writing sessions will include improvisation games, playwriting exercises, editing and individual sessions for drafting and mentoring.

Directors and Stage Managers will participate in all aspects of the process.

Tuition, room and board: $3,165
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 30 students.

Faculty: Rendon Ramsey, Abbie Bosworth

Shakespeare Theatre Intensive

Ages 14–18

July 9–23
Two-week session

Student Performances
Friday, July 21, 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 22, 8 p.m.

For serious actors and theater techs! Bring one of Shakespeare’s most enduringly controversial comedies to life. Perform The Taming of the Shrew under the stars with professional lighting, sets, costumes, and music!

In this intensive training program (comparable to conservatory theater training programs found at the college level), you will be immersed in classes to strengthen your skills in voice and speech, stage movement, text analysis, dramaturgy, improvisation, and stagecraft. Other activities may include Elizabethan mask-making, sonnet writing, and acting games and exercises.

Want to be a part of theater but don’t want to act? Then come train in the technical aspects of theater. Do you play an instrument? Bring it! Do you know how to juggle? We can use you! Walk on stilts? You’re in!

Production may include singing, dancing, mask work, tumbling, stage combat and musical performances, depending on the talents you bring. Intensive includes a field trip to see a live production of the play, take a theater tour, and meet the actors.

Plan to stay on campus until noon on Sunday, July 23, to help strike the set.

Tuition, room and board: $3,165
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 30 students.

Faculty: Johanna McKay

The Summer Show: Musical Theater Intensive

Ages 14–18

July 23–August 5
Two-week session

Student Performances
Friday, August 4, 8 p.m.

Looking to enhance your experience or even take your first dance step into musical theater? This fast-paced intensive, designed for talented or aspiring musical theater performers, is ideal for you! You will get to perform the premiere production of an original or adapted musical!

Your intensive will begin with group and individual workshops with the director, vocal coach, musical director, and choreographer, focusing on audition technique and preparation. Then you will move quickly into rehearsal mode for an original musical: an ensemble piece in which every actor will have a speaking part and will sing and dance. Some roles will be more demanding than others, and not every actor will have a singing or dancing solo. But there will be great opportunities for everyone.

Prepare a song and a short monologue from a musical or comedy that best shows off your talents. Instructors, all working artists with professional credits, will coach you on your audition pieces and help you prepare for the formal auditions on the second or third day of the program. This is a great experience if you’re preparing for the college, conservatory or professional audition process.

Tuition, room and board: $3,165
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 30 students.

Faculty: David Bauman, Tom Griep, Evelyn Halus

Triple Threat Boot Camp: Musical Theater Intensive

Ages 14-18

June 25-July 8
Two-week session

Student Performance
Friday, June 30, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 7, 8 p.m.

Further your training as a singer, dancer, and actor. Explore your interests with advanced training from seasoned theater professionals. Instruction team will include singing, dancing, and acting coaches who are well-connected veterans, with experience from Broadway to LA (and at least one Tony). Develop performance skills in classic and contemporary musical theater, for fun and in preparation for college or stage careers. Come prepared to work hard, make friends, be challenged, and have a great time!

Your typical day will include Group dance class, with jazz and tap instruction, emphasizing foundational skills while learning choreography; Individual vocal coaching, maximizing the healthy use of your instrument in song interpretation; and Acting workshops, integrating movement, singing, and text into fully-realized performances

Expect to be in classes every morning, afternoon, and evening, dedicating your time to improving your performance skills and presenting a polished Recital (first Friday) and Final Performance (second Friday).

Recorded audition is required. Audition materials will be posted here. Early auditions with possibility of early acceptance are encouraged. Auditions accepted until intensive fills.

Returning Song & Dance students need not audition, but should register by March 31 to ensure placement.

Tuition, room and board: $3,165
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 35 students.

Chair, David O.

Musical Theater for Junior Artists

Ages 11-13

July 9-22
Two-week session

Student Performance
Saturday, July 22, 11:30 a.m.

This unique and exhilarating program is designed for talented actors, singers and dancers. You will work on an original or adapted musical from its early stages of development to its premiere performance. Rehearsals with the director, musical director, and choreographer take place from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional rehearsals as needed in the evenings or on the weekend. You also may have the chance to learn various technical aspects of production such as costuming, props, and set construction.

You will get to audition on the first day of class, and auditions will include a prepared, memorized song of your choice or one from the show, dancing, and a read-through of the play. The original musical is an ensemble piece. The summer 2017 show looks to be as innovative and high-spirited as past productions like Mean Girls: The Musical! Every actor will have a speaking part and every actor will sing, although some parts are more demanding than others, and not every actor will have a singing solo. Several dance solo opportunities will be available. You will receive a letter in June with more specifics about the production and audition.

Tuition, room and board: $3,165
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 20 students.

Faculty: David Bauman

Shakespeare’s World: What’s Cool in the Classics

Ages 11-13

July 23-August 5
Two-week session

Student Performance
Saturday, August 5, 11:30 a.m.

Dive into this fun, hands-on approach to the works of William Shakespeare. You will learn about the life and times of Shakespeare and rehearse an adapted version of one of his plays, which you will perform at the end of the session. You will study the play in depth and take a field trip to see a live, professional production of it.

You will audition for parts and learn amazing and direct acting techniques for bringing Shakespeare’s words to life. The production also may include basic stage combat, singing and dancing, depending on the talents of the individual cast members and the needs of the show. Rehearsals with the director and choreographer take place from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional rehearsals as needed in the evenings or on the weekend. Other activities may include Elizabethan mask-making, sonnet writing, and improvisational games and exercises.

Tuition, room and board: $3,165
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 20 students.

Faculty: Johanna McKay

Theater Adventures

Ages 11–13

June 25-July 8
Two-week session

Student Performance
Saturday, July 8, 11:30 a.m.

Theater Adventures gives young actors an opportunity for bold character development. You will explore the art of storytelling through acting, improvisation, dance and vocal work.

The workshop culminates with a short play either based on adapted stories and poems, or original works created by the faculty and class. Everyone will be highlighted in a role that is quirky and larger than life. Past productions have been adapted from The Little Prince, Alice in Wonderland and Grimm’s Fairytales. This is a fun two-week program for enthusiastic and motivated actors. Rehearsals with the director and choreographer take place from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional rehearsals as needed in the evenings or on the weekend.

Tuition, room and board: $3,165
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 20 students.

Faculty: David Bauman, Linda Miller

From Page to Stage

Ages 9–12

July 9-22
Two-week session

Student Performance
Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m.

This fun-filled program combines writing with acting in an exciting and creative workshop that culminates in a performance of an original work you will get to perform with your fellow students.
Starting with characters you create as a group, you will explore scenes as actors and writers using improvisation, acting games, storytelling, and group brainstorming.

Write to your own strengths as an actor-if you can play an instrument or sing or dance, use it! Express yourself with yourself. The pieces may take many forms: poems, scenes, monologues, even songs. Learn how to refine and rewrite, direct and combine, until finally the pieces take the shape of your show.

Tuition, room and board: $3,020
Day student: $2,465
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 12 students.

Faculty: Judy Heneghan, Johanna McKay (consultant)

Mini Musical Theater

Ages 9–12

June 25-July 8
Two-week session

Student Performance
Saturday, July 8, 9:30 a.m.

This fun, two-week course will incorporate singing, acting and movement in a musical theater piece complete with live accompaniment.

The show will focus on ensemble performance and group numbers but there will be auditions for individual roles and solos as well. You will learn acting techniques through fun theater exercises and improvisational games.

Tuition, room and board: $3,020
Day student: $2,465
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 20 students.

Faculty: Johanna McKay

Theater of Myth and Folklore

Ages 9–12

July 23-August 5
Two-week session

Student Performance
Saturday, August 5, 10:45 a.m.

A fun theater experience designed to help you explore the world of imagination. Through the processes of brainstorming, improvisation, and rehearsals, you will collaborate with your instructors to create and perform an original play based on themes in mythology and world folklore, like last summer’s spin on Pacific Island legends.

Within the fun of theater games and improvisation, you will learn acting techniques, vocal production, movement for the stage, and the art of collaboration. Discover a true sense of confidence that will carry into other areas of your life.

Tuition, room and board: $3,020
Day student: $2,465
Lab fee: $50

Enrollment limited to 20 students.

Faculty: Donna Johnson