Acting
David Valdes, Head of Acting, St. Stephen’s Theatre Focus Director of Acting
FACULTY
David Valdes, Acting & Auditioning
TBA, Film Acting
Marc Frost, Improvisation & Voice/Movement
Heather Huggins, Voice/Movement
Kirk German, Theatre Past & Present
PHILOSOPHY
Acting majors at TAP camp are challenged on a daily basis through rigorous class work and rehearsal methods. As campers come from a variety of schools or programs, the faculty assesses each student, utilizing his or her personal foundation as a starting point ensuring the most potential growth in each individual camper.
Acting majors are divided into two groups based on age, experience and skill level. The campers are immersed in daily classes in the mornings that cover acting, improvisation, voice/movement and more. As TAP camp strives to train the “complete artist,” campers are assigned to classes in voice and dance in the afternoons. Additionally all campers rehearse sections of the final showcase together once daily. In the evenings, acting majors work with David Valdes and a team of assistants as they create original pieces of the showcase and rehearse scenes and monologues from contemporary plays. The acting majors also have the privilege of performing in the student films. Additional film acting classes are instructed so that acting majors are comfortable on camera.
CURRICULUM
The TAP acting classes are process-oriented emphasizing technique, styles, and methods. Students develop awareness about themselves and their relationship with others and the world around them as actors. Students are introduced to the essential skills of acting from improvisation to character development to text analysis and performance. Concentration is on the preparation of developing characters through script analysis, preparation and performance. Students will be expected to participate in monologue and scene work so that they may establish short and long term goals for themselves. Emphasis will be placed on taking creative risks and finding truth in performance. In addition to gaining knowledge of the actor’s process, these acting classes help students expand self-awareness, foster self-confidence, and place trust in others.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ACTING
Focus on text analysis, sensory work, actions and truthful behavior within a scene or monologue. A variety of acting methods will be examined through the study of contemporary plays. Techniques for approaching the craft of acting are explored through exercises, group discussions, scene study, and self-assessments.
IMPROVISATION
Develop techniques of improvisation, which can be used in character exploration. Learn to think on your feet, make bold choices and practice creative collaboration with fellow performers.
THEATRE PAST AND PRESENT
Through lecture and discussion, explore theatre history as it relates to current trends in theatrical performance.
AUDITIONING
Examine techniques for more effective auditions including presentation, preparation and follow through.
VOICE/MOVEMENT
Strengthen vocal and physical skills through release of tension, posture, vocal exercises and muscle extension. Examine various techniques for body/voice training to expand your physical and vocal capabilities.
FILM ACTING
Use scenes from films to explore techniques for acting on camera.
SPECIALS
Acting Majors have the opportunity to take make-up classes with David Valdes. David is a master at make-up for the stage. Beginners take the basics while more advanced students learn old age and scarring methods. Guest artists may be brought in for special topics such as Stage Combat, Shakespeare, Suzuki, Viewpoints, etc.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals are conducted in the evenings. During the first week, campers read scenes and monologues and take classes in film acting to prepare for film shoots during week two. David Valdes chooses monologues and scenes for the acting majors and rehearsals begin during week two. Rehearsals are divided into time slots so that each scene or monologue is individually coached multiple times over the course of a week. On the third week of camp, we assemble the showcase combining majors and creating a cohesive showcase. Acting majors may have the opportunity to perform in dances or songs as well.
SHOWCASE
In the past, acting majors have engaged in writing workshops, creating original pices for the showcase based on the theme. Scenes and monologues have been performed from many contemporary playwrights, including Tony Kushner, Steven Dietz, Larry Shue, Margaret Edson, Kenneth Lonergan, Neil Simon and Lee Blessing.
BOARDING CAMPS
Senior Camp
Ages 13-18
Dates June 15 - July 5
General Tuition $2450
Filmmaking Tuition $2650
$500 deposit
Advanced Camp
Ages 15-18
Dates June 8 - July 5
Tuition $2850
$500 deposit
Junior Camp
Ages 9-12
Dates June 22-28, 2008
Tuition $1050
$200 Deposit
MEALS
Three meals a day are provided starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with lunch on Saturday.
DAY CAMPS
Youth Art Camp
Ages 5-10
Dates June 9-13
Half Days 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm $150
Full Days (ages 7-10 only) 9am-4pm $275
$100 Deposit
Ceramics Camp
Ages 12-17
Dates June 9-13
9am-12pm $150
$100 Deposit
Youth Musical Theatre Camp
Ages 5-10
Dates July 14-18
Half Days 9am-12pm or 1pm-4pm $175
Full Days (ages 7-10 only) 9am-4pm $325
$100 Deposit
MEALS
Lunch is provided everyday for Full Day Campers and on Friday for all Musical Theatre Camp Participants.