Summer Theatre Intensive

Now in its eighth year, Berkeley Rep’s Summer Theatre Intensive offers an interactive environment where students immerse themselves in all aspects of the craft and artistry of theatre. Mirroring the mission of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Summer Intensive training encourages students to discover their creative potential and stretch their imaginations, challenging them as artists to understand the commitment necessary for artistic excellence.

Set against the backdrop of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, this summer we offer two four-week sessions for students entering grades 6–12. Students spend each week working with master teachers studying acting, play creation, improvisation, voice and speech, various forms of physical theatre (e.g., mask work, clowning and psychological gesture), Shakespeare, stage combat, disciplines of design and production (including costumes, sound and lighting) and a choice of daily electives including musical theatre, directing, playwriting and hip hop dance. Skills and concepts students learn in this diverse curriculum are applied to and inform the development of original work.

Returning students are challenged with new material and concepts that enhance and deepen their creative art experience.

Under the supervision of a Play Creation teacher, each student group develops from concept to performance a theatrical piece designed to challenge students to take imaginative risks and to showcase the skills they have learned throughout the session. Students’ original work will be performed at the end of each four-week session at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

This Summer Theatre Intensive is an opportunity to become fully immersed in every facet of the world of theatre. Our only requirement is an active mind open to imagination, collaboration, hard work and, of course, lots of fun.

We hope to see you here.

berkeley rep school of theatre staff

Rachel L. Fink, Director
MaryBeth Cavanaugh, Associate Director
Dave Maier, Outreach Coordinator
Gendell Hernández, Education Associate
Amelia Bird, School Administrator
Devon LaBelle, Intern

the classes

Students are divided into groups according to grade level. Each group will rotate through a variety of classes taught by a different professional theatre artist.

Session 1 classes include

(for students entering grades 6–8)

Play Creation
Become a part of a creative ensemble! Students write and design a play through improvisation, creative and collaborative writing and by sharing musical favorites, poetry and art that explores and expands the students’ imaginations. Class culminates in an original theatrical performance on the Thrust Stage at Berkeley Rep.

Acting
Learn the skills required to bring a scene to life! Students focus on the fundamentals of acting technique through character development, script analysis and scene work.

Improvisation
Discover spontaneity through improvisation. As an ensemble, explore technique, theory, games, tricks and pranks that help students open up to the kind of spontaneity that breeds better comic timing on stage, stronger reactions in rehearsals, laughter at parties and a lot more fun at family functions.

Mask / Movement
Study tools, techniques and tricks to develop students’ abilities to create unique and outrageous characters through movement exploration, physical timing and voice.

Stage Combat
Practice classic stage combat techniques that combine tai chi, boxing and improvisational theatre. Emphasis will be on safety, character building, telling the story of the fight and acting the violence. Students will learn unarmed (slaps, punches, kicks, rolls) and basic broadsword techniques.

Voice
Be heard on stage and speak to groups with confidence and charisma! Discover vocal agility, full projection and secrets to building and maintaining vocal strength and clarity. Apply techniques learned to news items, tongue twisters, raps, sonnets and songs.

Electives
In addition to the above classes, students may choose from the following possible electives: Musical Theatre, Clowning / Commedia dell’Arte, Hip Hop / Salsa Dance and hands-on classes with Berkeley Rep’s production staff in costuming, lighting and sound design at Berkeley Rep’s technical shops.

Session 2 classes include

(for students entering grades 9–12)

Advanced Play Creation
Give voice to what inspires you. Mirroring Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s new play development process, you participate in the entire cycle of developing a play from concept to performance. Students gain an advanced understanding of theatrical concepts such as ensemble, dramatic conflict, dramatic structure, rhythm, characterization, staging and performance. Students collectively create a theatrical performance piece to be performed in the Roda Theatre at Berkeley Rep.

Acting
Through rigorous class exercises, monologues and scene work, students study character development, given circumstances, tactics, objective, actions and learn how to work as an ensemble.

Shakespeare
Discover the art of acting Shakespeare. Class covers verse / scansion, figures of speech and literal meaning which the students will then put into practice by working on scenes.

Mask / Movement
Study tools, techniques and tricks to develop students’ abilities to create unique and outrageous characters through movement exploration, physical timing and voice.

Electives
In addition to the above classes, students may choose from the following possible electives: Playwriting, Directing, Dance, Hip Hop Theatre Techniques, Musical Theatre, Clowning / Commedia dell’Arte and hands-on classes with Berkeley Rep’s production staff in costuming, lighting and sound design at Berkeley Rep’s technical shops.

Programming subject to change.

the dates

Session 1

(students entering grades 6–8)
June 23–July 18, 2008 / Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm
There will be no class on July 4, 2008.

Session 2

(students entering grades 9–12)
July 21–August 15, 2008 / Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm

the faculty

Over the past seven years, the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre has developed a nationally recognized teaching faculty at the Summer Theatre Intensive. These theatre professionals and teaching artists are committed to training the next generation of theatre artists through their respective areas of expertise. Previous faculty expected to return include Ron Campbell, Hector Correa, Deborah Eubanks, Gendell Hernández, Melissa Hillman, Joan Mankin and Andy Murray.

the students

This theatre experience is designed specifically for students entering grades 6–12 who have a genuine interest in exploring the craft of theatre.

the presentation

The Berkeley Rep School of Theatre will host a final performance of the students’ original work at the end of each session in either the Roda Theatre or on the Thrust Stage at Berkeley Rep.

the tuition

Session 1

$1,050

Session 2

$1,150

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