Katie Maher, St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts & Cassidy McCartan, Stewartville
High school actors from around the state have gathered on the Gustavus campus for a one-week, intensive theatre audition boot camp sponsored jointly by the Guthrie Theater of Minneapolis and the Gustavus Department of Theatre & Dance. This unique and intensive summer theater project is the result of a partnership between the Guthrie and Gustavus includes 6 days on the campus and 1 day at the Guthrie and runs July 7 – 13, 2013.
Aimed at bridging the gap between high school and college for students who are serious about pursuing a career in theater performance, the camp will allow students the opportunity to work on audition vocal and acting techniques and monologues with master teachers and artists from both the Guthrie Theater and Gustavus’ Department of Theatre and Dance. The Guthrie’s Education Teaching Artist Sigrid Sutter will teach voice, acting and audition preparation, along with Gustavus Professor of Theatre Henry MacCarthy, Dance Instructor Melissa Rolnick and actor/dancer Ben Kolis (Gustavus Class of 2012).
Wyatt Albers, Winthrop; Emily Prestby, Alexandria; & Lucy Li, Rochester
Encouraged to attend by his high school counselor, Winthrop’s Wyatt Albers was intrigued by the thought of a summer camp that focused on preparation for a career in the theater. “Theater has always been an important part of my life and it’s exciting to think about turning that interest into a career.”
“We are very pleased to be partnering with the Guthrie Theater on this unique opportunity,” Gustavus Assistant Professor of Theatre and Dance Henry MacCarthy said. “Our department and the Guthrie are both committed to providing the highest level of quality training for the next generation of theater artists.”
The week-long camp is directed by MacCarthy and is using the full range of Gustavus’ state-of-the-art facilities including a 280-seat Anderson Theatre thrust stage, a black box, two dance studios, and several classrooms. The daily schedule includes classes in ballet, movement, voice, acting, research and script analysis, as well as one-on-one coaching sessions.
Movement Instructor, Ben Kolis ’12
On Thursday, July 11, students will spend the day at the Guthrie Theater where they will have the opportunity to work with various Guthrie artists, tour the facilities, and learn about the workings of a major theater organization. Lunch will include a question and answer session with Guthrie Casting Associate Jennifer Liestman. Students will take part in several 80-minute teaching sessions that will address various topics including “Intro to Stage Combat,” “How to Handle Shakespearean Text,” and “How Improvisation Skills Can Enhance Your Audition.” The day will conclude with students and staff attending the mainstage production of Bruce Norris’ Clybourne Park.
The Theatre Audition Boot Camp is the result of more than a year of conversations between the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Guthrie Threater. “The Guthrie Theater values offering quality educational opportunities for young actors and distinctive programs to support the next generation of performers,” Guthrie Director of Education Louise Chalfant said. “We are thrilled to be working with Gustavus Adolphus College on this project.”