US Performing Arts Camps

Acting, Movement, Voice and Camera – Training for Musical Performance Camp

June 22-28, 2008

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The University of Texas at Austin, the flagship state university in Texas, is proud to host this exciting program for young performers who want to study, work and learn in a professional theatre environment. Classes in acting, movement, voice, musical theatre repertory and related topics will be taught by faculty from the Department of Theatre and Dance, an internationally-recognized collective of professional performers and scholars. The work of UT graduates in acting, design, dance and playwriting is seen worldwide. Austin, now on the creative cutting edge in all the performing arts, is an ideal setting for summer study.

CURRICULUM

Students from the US Performing Arts Camp at UT's Department of Theatre and Dance

Acting, Movement, Voice and Camera – Training for Musical Performance Camp is a one–week residential program at the University of Texas. Students attend class every day from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The schedule also includes evening workshops as well as extra curricular activities for the students. Students check-in Sunday and the program ends with a “work in progress” showing of your work on Saturday.

SAMPLE CLASSES FROM 2005–2007 CAMPS

Acting Naturally
Since acting should never 'look' like acting, students will learn fundamental ways of presenting themselves on stage that lead to a relaxed, easy–going, open and inviting manner. Most students will write their own texts, though some texts may come from other sources. To bring naturalness to acting will, in part, mean an investigation into the manner in which people communicate with one another in everyday life.

Acting for the Camera
In addition to introducing students to the fundamentals of on-camera acting, these sessions offer specific techniques for helping the actor to bring a deep level of truth to his/her acting.

Dance/Movement for the Actor
Sessions include physical conditioning and coordination exercises with a focus on musicality. In addition, explorations on the physicality of characterization and awareness of the body in space will be explored through a variety of games and group movement exercises.

Students warming up for workshops at the US Performing Arts Camp at UT's Department of Theatre and Dance

Improvisation
Students will engage in improvisational activities to build ensemble and individual acting skills. Improvisation structures for creating movement pieces, characters, monologues and scenes will allow students to explore a wide use of the voice, body and imagination.

Technical Theatre
Working with UT's in-house state of the art equipment, these sessions include a hands-on introduction to technical theatre, including light and stage design.

Special Topics
Workshops may include sessions on Auditioning, Musical Theatre, and Script Development, allowing students to further investigate and develop their experience of professional theatre.

The above classes represent curriculum from previous camps and may not be offered in 2008. Specific classes for the 2008 Acting, Movement, Voice and Camera – Training for Musical Performance Camp will be posted soon.

FACULTY

Click on the faculty photos for more information

Holly Williams
Program Director

Lucien Douglas
Acting for the Camera Faculty

Stephen Gerald
Acting Faculty

Denise Martel
Technical Theatre Faculty

Lyn Koenning
Musical Theatre Faculty

Robin Lewis
Musical Theatre Faculty

REQUIREMENTS

Open to students entering grades 9–12.

TUITION

Tuition and fees for the Acting, Movement, Voice and Camera – Training for Musical Performance Camp at The University of Texas at Austin are $995. This includes housing, meals, and all classes and workshops. Transportation to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is available for an additional fee. There is a one time $150 non-refundable seasonal registration for all US Performing Arts programs. Please visit the US Performing Arts Camp registration page for information on tuition, fees, and refunds.

ABOUT US PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS

US Performing Arts mission is to promote and develop the growth of performing artists in America. They are dedicated to representing the best in quality performing arts and media education. The intensive conservatory-style summer camps are designed for middle and high school students. US Performing Arts Camps are located at some of the finest university facilities in the country. A great benefit to US Performing Arts Camps is that many of its university's theatre, dance, film and television departments are directing the programs themselves. Campers will prosper from professionally distinguished faculty who will work directly with them to improve their skills. The unique camps offer students the opportunity to experience campus life while interacting with professors and professionals in their discipline. Exposure to a campus setting adds a stimulating, cultural dimension to a camper's experience, and provides a secure, safe environment.

Read what 2005 US Performing Arts Camp participant Jena Kirmse has to say about the camp and her experience as a freshman at UT Theatre & Dance.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

Students from the US Performing Arts Camp at UT's Department of Theatre and Dance

The University of Texas at Austin, one of the country's major research institutions is located on 350 acres close to the beautiful Capitol of Texas complex in downtown Austin. The UT Department of Theatre & and Dance, founded in 1938, is the largest theatre and dance department in the United States. With over 500 students and 50 faculty and staff, the Department offers more than 260 courses each semester.

HOUSING

All participants will be housed in the Jester Center residence complex. Tuition and fees include three meals each day and a double room with community bath and showers. Jester Center provides a community setting complete with two dining rooms, Jester store, post office, ATM machine, and food court venues. Students will be chaperoned for all classes and activities 24 hours a day for their safety. Jester Center is also located within easy walking distance to all intensive classes and planned activities.

REGISTRATION & CONTACT INFORMATION

For further information on all University of Texas US Performing Arts camps, visit their web page on all UT Austin camps. Register online www.usperformingarts.com for any of these camps or call the US Performing Arts Registration line toll free at 1-888-497-3553.

For more information please contact Cassie Gholston, Assistant Chair for External Relations, at gholstonc@mail.utexas.edu or (512) 232-5301.

For additional information on other Department of Theatre and Dance Summer Youth Programs, please visit the Summer Youth Programs page.

DOCUMENTARY: 2005 USPA UT THEATER

Produced, Directed and Filmed by Peter Hyoguchi of the US Performing Arts Camps
Edited by Dave Ciaccio of the US Performing Arts Camps

Description: Students and Faculty of the 2005 US Performing Arts Camp at the University of Texas at Austin discuss their involvement in activities over the week–long summer program.

Faculty members include: Holly Williams, Pamela Christian, Stephen Gerald and Lucien Douglas.

Topics discussed include: coping with nervousness on stage, participating in a talent show, learning foreign accents, using stage skills in real life, becoming physical in movement class, acting for the camera, and building a sense of self confidence.