The Guthrie Theater and Gustavus Adolphus College Announce 'Theater Audition Boot Camp'

The Guthrie Theater and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter today announced their partnership in offering a summer Theater Audition Boot Camp for young performers taking place June 24-30, 2012. 

The program is open to students entering grades 10-12 who seriously intend to pursue a career in theatrical performance. It will focus strongly on audition techniques and monologues, and afford young actors the opportunity to work with master teachers and theater artists from both the Guthrie Theater and the Gustavus Adolphus Department of Theatre and Dance. 

“The Guthrie Theater values offering distinctive educational opportunities for young actors,” says Guthrie Director of Education Louise Chalfant. “We are thrilled to be working with Gustavus Adolphus College on this project.”

The weeklong camp will be directed by Henry MacCarthy, Gustavus assistant professor of theatre and dance. It will take place at Gustavus in its state-of-the-art facilities including its 280-seat thrust stage, black box, two dance studios and several classrooms. The daily schedule will incorporate instruction in ballet, movement, voice, acting and script analysis, as well as one-on-one coaching sessions.

On Thursday, June 28, participants will spend the day at the Guthrie working with Guthrie artists, touring the theater and learning up-close the workings of a major theater organization. Students will be exposed to 80-minute teaching sessions including Intro to Stage Combat, How to Handle Shakespearean Text and How Improvisation Skills Can Enhance Your Audition. Following their day of instruction, students and staff will attend the Guthrie Theater’s production of Roman Holiday on the McGuire Proscenium Stage.    

“We are very pleased to be partnering with the Guthrie Theater on this unique opportunity,” says MacCarthy. “Our department and the Guthrie are both committed to providing the highest level of quality training for the next generation of theater artists.” 

Supervised room and board will be provided throughout the camp. Students will be housed in dormitory-style bedrooms in Gustavus’ residence halls, including wi-fi internet, air conditioning, laundry facilities and common lounge areas. Students will receive three meals a day at Gustavus’ Marketplace, repeatedly ranked by the Princeton Review as one of the nation’s top 10 college cafeterias.

The Theater Audition Boot Camp tuition is $1,200. For more information, including how to register, visit gustavus.edu/camps or call 507. 933.7486.

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