July 5-17, 2010

View AU Summer Institutes Video >>>

Application Deadline: April 16, 2010

Alfred University welcomes high school students to our beautiful campus each summer to take part in this high-powered Theater Institute. This program is for students interested in learning more about theater performance and production. Our unique blend of broad choices and training in specific areas leads to many energetic classes and much individual grown. With a dynamic, engaging, talented and caring faculty; terrific facilities; and lovely surroundings, the Alfred University Theater Institute could make this your best summer ever!

The Program
Summer Theater at Alfred University provides a great opportunity for students to create, experience, and develop perspectives and skills in theater through full group sessions and with a good deal of individual attention, training and experience in theater from our distinguished faculty. Students work on improving skills and developing new levels of expertise in two or three areas of performance and/or technical theater. There is range, choice and growth for everyone.

Schedule
Students must arrive on campus between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. for registration on Monday, July 5, and will leave in the afternoon on Saturday, July 17. Students will attend classes during the day and participate in recreational activities and rehearsals in the evening.

Morning sessions will focus on actor training, including improvisation, text analysis, character development, staging, voice production and movement for actors. All students will learn more about theater through text and performance.

Afternoons are devoted to design and technical theater, with sessions in stage managing, scenery, costume and lighting. Students will receive experience and training in all areas, with opportunities to focus on one or two areas during the course of the two weeks.

Other afternoon sessions will provide students with experience in voice and voice development. Two voice training sessions early in the Institute lead to options for more sessions in voice for the stage, including some preparation for musical theater.

In the late afternoons students will choose particular areas to work on: voice for the stage, acting, design, technical theater and/or stage managing.

At least one trip to a professional theater will be included in the program. The institute will conclude with a public performance of scenes and at least one rehearsed short play.

Activities
When not in classes or rehearsals, students enjoy planned activities on and off campus as well as free time for relaxation. Activities may include indoor and outdoor games, movies, a visit to a nearby lake for a picnic and/or campfire, swimming, hikes, bowling, hay rides, karaoke, social gatherings at the Terra Cotta Coffee House and a farewell party on the last night. Living, dining, and learning together, students have ample opportunity to get to know each other and develop lasting friendships.

Who Can Attend?
This dynamic institute is for students who will enter grades 10, 11 or 12 next fall. The number of participants is kept small (20-25) to allow for individualized attention. (AU also offers summer theater day camps for younger children. Please see day camp information at the bottom of this page.)

The Faculty
Dr. Becky Prophet, AU Professor of Theater, teaches acting, directing and playwriting, and serves as the Director of the Summer Theater Institute. Questions about the content of this institute should be directed to her. Professor Prophet can be reached at her office: 607.871.2255 or via email.

Zachary Hamm is the Technical Director for the AU Performing Arts Division. During the academic year he teaches technical theater and is responsible for the organization and set of every theater production and dance concert on campus. Prior to working at Alfred University, he worked for PlayMakers Repertory Company in North Carolina, Heritage Repertory Theater in Virginia, and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. He can be reached via email.

Rebecca Weaver is a graduate student in voice at the Eastman School of Music. She will complete her Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance in the summer of 2010. As the newest member of our institute faculty, she invigorates the curriculum through teaching health and care of voice for performers. She can be reached via email.

Supervision
When institute participants are not in workshop sessions or rehearsals, they are supervised by specially-trained Resident Directors (RDs) and Resident Advisors (RAs) who serve as camp counselors, mentors, role models and friends.

Tuition, Room and Board
The institute fee is $1,995* (includes a $200 deposit). This covers tuition, supervision, program materials, field trip, recreational activities, room and board from dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day. Students stay in University residence halls (2 per room). Students must provide their own pillows, blankets and bed/bath linens (bed linens must fit the extra-long twin residence hall beds). Delicious, all-you-can-eat, cafeteria-style meals are served in the campus dining hall.

The $200 deposit must be submitted with the application. Full payment of the balance ($1,795) is due by May 28, 2010.

Further information, a detailed schedule and driving directions will be sent to all students upon acceptance. Each participant is responsible for transportation, incidentals and any extra nights or meals. If, for any reason, a participant must be sent home early, all expenses will be paid by the student/parent.

*There will be a $30 charge for checks returned for insufficient funds.

College Credit Option
Rising juniors and seniors who attend this institute can earn two hours of college credit, if desired, by completing extra assignments and paying an additional $200. Students should indicate their interest in this option by checking the appropriate box on the application form.

How to Apply

We will begin accepting applications January 4, 2010. Students who wish to apply must return:

• a completed application form (Please click on the underlined words to open the PDF file. Then simply print the form, fill it out, and send or fax it back to us with the other required materials.)
• a copy of an up-to-date transcript or report card
• two letters of recommendation from teachers (one being from a teacher who worked with the student in a performance setting), on official school stationery
• a one-page essay telling us why you would like to attend and what you think you’ll gain from the experience (in your own words, with your signature at the bottom)
• a recent photo (headshot if possible)
• a $200 deposit (non-refundable unless you are not accepted into the program).

Please send all items in one packet and submit by the application deadline. (Later applications may be considered only if space is available. Please call 607.871.2612 to check availability after the deadline.) Incomplete or illegible applications cannot be accepted.

Send to: Office of Summer Programs, Alfred University, Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802 or fax to 607.871.2045. (If you fax these materials to us, please call 607.871.2612 to make sure we received them and that they are readable.)

Acceptance
The Institute Admissions Committee will evaluate all applications and determine which students will be accepted. Notification letters will be mailed within two weeks of the application deadline. Students requiring an earlier decision should include a note with the application form indicating the date by which they need to be notified. (If a student is not accepted the $200 deposit will be refunded.)

Accepted students will receive, along with the acceptance letter, additional materials including medical forms, liability releases, emergency notification forms, etc. These materials must be filled out as soon as possible and must be back in our hands by the deadline indicated in the acceptance letter. Updated immunization information (including dates) is also required at that time. If you do not have updated immunization information on hand, you may want to acquire this from your physician now to avoid processing delays.

Financial Aid
Sorry, there are no scholarships or other forms of financial aid available for students in any of our summer programs.

Cancellation Policy
Refunds, less the $200 non-refundable deposit, will be made for cancellations received by June 4. A 50% refund will be made for cancellations received from June 5-18. We cannot make refunds to students who cancel after June 18 because we must hire staff, purchase materials, arrange for meals and confirm classroom and housing space long before the start of our summer programs. We base all of these arrangements on the number of students accepted into each camp or institute and cannot make changes after contracts are signed and commitments are made.

Questions?
For further general information contact the Office of Summer Programs at 607.871.2612. A copy of the institute application is available in PDF form at application. If you are not able to open it, please contact us and we will send or fax one to you. For specific information concerning institute content please contact Dr. Becky Prophet, Institute Director, at 607.871.2255 or via email.

Comments from Past Participants
"All my theater classes were amazing and the technical sessions especially helped. We covered lighting, sounds, stage management, design, construction of set, prop management, voice for actors, movement, text analysis, and on and on. I learned so much!" - Olivia E. from Japan

"Theater class was amazing every minute! I learned techniques, warm-ups, energy exercises, stretches, vocal warm-ups and strategies." - Carol F. from Lititz, PA

"I loved every aspect of the theater class. It was great that we started out with games and activities and continued on to memorize and put together an entire show! There was just the right amount of structure and fun. I learned how to really have motivation for every single one of my lines. Another thing I learned was the real importance of the ensemble." - Najah M. from Beacon, NY

"I learned so much that will make me a better actor, and I learned so much about tech theater too! " - Emily M. from Towson, MD

"I learned to be a better actor and express myself. " - Eric W. from Hornell, NY

"I learned how to work as a better crew member and to just have fun with everything!" - Rachel H. from Pickerinton, OH

"I learned so much and improved different acting techniques." - Sean S. from Dansville, NY

About Alfred
Alfred University is located in the safe, peaceful village of Alfred in Western New York State, where summer days are warm and nights are cool and comfortable. Surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful meadows and valleys, Alfred University is the perfect place to spend an enjoyable week learning more about a favorite subject and meeting other students who share your interests.

The campus, a 6-hour drive from New York City, 2 hours from Buffalo, and 1 1/4 hours from Rochester, is easily accessible by car or bus from all directions and is just five miles south of Interstate 86. The nearest major airport is the Rochester International Airport (about 65 mi. north). Transportation to/from the airport can be provided for an additional charge if we receive your request by the due date indicated in your acceptance letter. After that date campers must make their own arrangements with an airport limo service.

Theater Day Camps

The AU Theater Day Camp Program is for kids who have completed grades 3-9 (1 or 2-week program):

Week I - June 28-July 2, 2010
Week II - July 5-9, 2010

Time: 1-4 p.m.
Program fee: $150 per week

Features
The emphasis of these camps is on learning and lots of fun! Participants will be divided into two groups.

The younger group (grades 3-6) will focus on theater games, improvisation and preparation for a short performance on the last day of their two-week program.

The older group (grades 7-9) will focus on acting, development of costumes and props and preparation for a short production also presented on the last day.

Program Director
The Summer Theater Program Director is Dr. Becky Prophet, Alfred University Professor of Theater.

Registration Deadline
The registration deadline for the day camp program is June 11, 2010. To register, please complete the registration form and send it to the address indicated on the form so it is received on or before the deadline. For further information please contact the Division of Performing Arts at 607.871.2562 or via email.

 

This information is subject to change.

Program Cancellation: The University may cancel any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for other costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.