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 student’s imaginations. Class culminates in an original theatrical performance on the Thrust Stage at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. 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. BODY / MASK / MOVEMENT Tools, techniques and tricks for developing students’ abilities to define a character’s personality traits, the dramatic situation and overall action. Create unique and outrageous characters through movement exploration, physical timing and voice. STAGE COMBAT Using techniques from contact improvisation, aikido, boxing and improvisational theatre, students will work together to create the illusion of violence. Emphasizing safety and teamwork, students will learn a variety of skills including slaps, punches, kicks, rolls and much more. ELECTIVES Students may choose from the following possible electives: Musical Theatre, Clowning / Commedia dell’arte, Hip Hop / Salsa Dance, Sign Language for Theatre and hands-on classes with Berkeley Rep’s production staff in costuming, lighting and props held at Berkeley Rep’s 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, enter into 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 on the Thrust Stage at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. 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 a monologue. BODY / MASK / MOVEMENT Tools, techniques and tricks for developing students’ abilities to define a character’s personality traits, the dramatic situation and overall action. Create unique and outrageous characters through movement exploration, physical timing and voice. VOICE Be heard on stage and speak out 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. 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. STAGE COMBAT Classic stage combat techniques combined with text work and scene study. Emphasis will be on safety, character building, telling the story of the fight and acting the violence. Students will learn advanced unarmed and basic broadsword techniques. ELECTIVES Students may choose from the following possible electives: Playwriting, Directing, Dance, Hip Hop Theatre Techniques, Musical Theatre, Sign Language for Theatre, Clowning / Commedia dell’arte and hands-on classes with Berkeley Rep’s production staff in costuming, lighting and props held at Berkeley Rep’s shops. Programming subject to change. THE DATES SESSION 1 (students entering grades 6–8) June 19–July 14, 2006; Monday–Friday; 9AM–3PM. There will be no class on July 4, 2006. SESSION 2 (students entering grades 9–12) July 17–August 11, 2006; Monday–Friday; 9AM–4PM THE FACULTY Over the past six years, the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre has developed a nationally recognized teaching faculty at the Summer Theatre Intensive. These theatre professionals, teaching artists and scholars are committed to training the next generation of theatre artists through their respective areas of expertise. 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 on the Thrust Stage at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. THE TUITION SESSION 1 $1,040.00 SESSION 2 $1,100.00 BACK TO TOP