Summer acting programs and workshops offered

HACKETTSTOWN — The Centenary Stage Company continues their tradition of nurturing young artists by offering the TYRO Acting Program and the Young Performers Workshop Summer Intensive Program during the months of July and August all at The Lackland Center in Hackettstown.

Intro to Theatre Skills
The TYRO Theatre Program provides an introduction to theatre skills and performance in a two-week session that runs from July 7 to July 18. Ages six to eight-year-olds will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon for and nine to 11 year olds will meet from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

The cost of tuition is $200 per student. Registration deadline is June 23.

The TYRO Program is led by Maria Brodeur, the CSC Education Director. Brodeur is a professional actress and arts educator with experience in children’s theatre who holds a BA in Theatre and Education from Rutgers University.

“I saw so much growth in Christine this summer as a result of the wonderful handling given by all of you," said one TYRO parent.

Teaching apprentice program
A teaching apprentice program will be offered for high school students interested in pursuing educational opportunities in theatre arts. The apprenticeship will include acting as an assistant to the Program Director taking on responsibility for all facets of direction in the Tyro Theatre Program.

Young Performers Workshop
The Young Performers Workshop (YPW), is a professional musical theatre training program for young people ages eight to 18. The five-week program runs July 15 to Aug. 18. The YPW Summer Intensive Program runs Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a special evening project by invitation of the program director. The cost of the summer program is $995 for the first student and $895 for additional siblings.

The YPW Summer Intensive offers conservatory-style training in acting, voice, and dance, along with special electives such as TV Studio and On-air Radio technique training taught by theatre professionals. The program culminates in an 10-day festival of shows, including three full-length musical productions and The One Act play festival, in which all students perform.

While no prior experience is required, students must complete an interview with program director Michael Blevins before entrance into the program on Saturday, June 7 or Sunday, June 8.

New students can schedule an interview through the box office at 908-979-0900. Blevins is an alumni of the University of North Carolina and New York University. He is a television, film, and Broadway veteran with more than 15 years of experience teaching musical theatre to young performers.

The TYRO and YPW summer programs represent the educational arm of the Centenary Stage Company (CSC), a professional Equity theatre in residence at Centenary College under the leadership of Artistic Director, Carl Wallnau.

For more information regarding TYRO, YPW, and CSC programming, or to arrange an interview for YPW contact 908-979-0900 or www.centenarystageco.org.