School of Theatre > For teens > Classes
Teen classes
The Berkeley Rep School of Theatre aims to provide committed high-school students with the opportunity to study with professional theatre artists. Students will learn the fundamentals of professionalism, the rigors of the rehearsal process and the art of performance.
Our summer session of classes will begin the week of July 1, 2013. Course descriptions available below.
For our current students, the spring class schedule is listed at the bottom of the page. Enrollment for the spring classes is closed.
register now
Improvisation
Grades 8–12
Instructor: Laura Derry
Expand your imagination through improvisation! As an ensemble, students explore technique, theory, games, tricks and pranks that help them 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. We will also explore developing a performance troupe that could put on shows for the public, in addition to participating in Theatresports matches against other groups of young performers.
Laura Derry is an improviser, actor, teacher, director and musician. She has been performing with BATS Improv since 1991 and teaching since 1993. Laura teaches students ranging from age 5 to 90 at BATS Improv, ACT, Cal Shakes, UC Berkeley, Stanford University and the Academy of Art University.
TUE 7–9pm • 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23, 7/30, 8/6 • $175
Acting Violence: Theatrical Combatant Certification—Level 1 Unarmed
Ages 16 and up
Instructor: Dave Maier
Learn to take a punch! Unarmed combat is the most common form of violence found in theatre. Increase your skill set and versatility while honing your craft as an actor. This class will cover falls, slaps, punches, hair pulls, fighting with found objects and other theatrical techniques essential to creating the illusion of violence. Students will rehearse and perform a scene containing unarmed violence. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to take a skills proficiency test for recognition as a Theatrical Combatant with Dueling Arts International. This class is a perfect precursor to all other theatrical violence techniques and it also provides training for teachers who want to utilize stage combat in the classroom.
Dave Maier is an award-winning Fight Director who choreographed Troublemaker, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Pillowman and Culture Clash’s Zorro in Hell (Berkeley Rep). He has also composed violence for ACT, San Jose Rep, Magic Theatre, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, SF Playhouse, Impact Theatre and Berkeley Opera, among others. He is the resident fight director at Cal Shakes and a company member with the Shotgun Players. He is a full instructor of Theatrical Combat with Dueling Arts International and the Outreach Coordinator of Berkeley Rep School of Theatre.
MON 7–10pm • 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5 • $260
Summer Theatre Intensive
In each four-week session, students work with master teaching artists and professional playwrights to adapt original plays, which they perform on stage at Berkeley Rep. Summer Theatre Intensive participants also take classes in all areas of theatre, from acting to stage combat, improvisation to voice and movement. Don’t miss out on this popular program! Click here to learn more.
Session 1
- Students entering grades 6–8
- June 17–July 12, 2013 / Monday–Friday; 9am–3pm
(Please note there will be no class on July 4) - Tuition—$1,150
Session 2
- Students entering grades 9–12
- July 16–August 9, 2013 / Monday–Friday; 9am–4pm
- Tuition—$1,250
register now
spring class schedule
(Enrollment for the spring classes is closed.)
Performance Lab: The Medusa Tale
MON & WED 4–6pm • 4/8, 4/10, 4/15, 4/17, 4/22, 4/24, 4/29, 5/1, 5/6, 5/8, 5/13, 5/15, 5/20, 5/22, 5/29, 6/3, 6/5
Musical Theatre Ensemble: The Sound of Music
TUE & THU 4:30–6:30pm • 4/2, 4/4, 4/9, 4/11, 4/16, 4/18, 4/23, 4/25 4/30, 5/2, 5/7, 5/9, 5/14, 5/16, 5/21, 5/23, 5/30, 6/4, 6/6 (performance), 6/7 (performance)
On-Camera Acting
TUE 4:30–6:30pm • 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21
Improvisation
MON 4:30–6:30pm • 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3
“I enjoyed it immensely. There was a lot of focus on the process as opposed to the product, and it was very worthwhile. I learned skills that will be very helpful to me in theatre as I grow older.”
—Student, Teen Performance Lab: Spring Awakening, Winter 2011
scholarships
Berkeley Rep School of Theatre is pleased to be able to offer financial aid for students enrolling in our youth and teen classes. Scholarships will be granted to students attending classes who demonstrate a strong financial need. Financial aid will be disbursed on a sliding scale—eligible families generally receive scholarships covering between 30%–100% of tuition.
Families applying for financial aid must submit a minimum $25 deposit per student at the time of registration. This amount secures the student’s place in the program while their financial aid application is under consideration. This deposit is refundable if the registration is cancelled by the end of the first week of class.
Download our application form or call the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre at 510 647–2972.
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school of theatre
major sponsors
The S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation / The Mosse Foundation for Education and the Arts / The Woodlawn Foundation
