Young Performers Workshop

Musical Theatre Training Program (Ages 8 - 18)

This 15-week intensive musical theatre program has been designed to meet the needs of beginning, intermediate and advanced performers interested in working in theatre.  The hands-on program will utilize both the classroom and the "production process" to train young people in the theatre arts.  The program culminates in a live presentation of select production(s), in the Sitnik Theatre.  The production(s) will be selected by program director, Michael Blevins, and will be determined based upon enrollment.  

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Due to the increased risk of spread via singing there will be limited musical selections.

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Once registered, students are guaranteed a part in the production.  There will be a minimum of two productions planned for the fall and spring sessions.  No experience is necessary:  however, applicants must complete an interview/audition with the program director prior to acceptance.  The first meeting of the fall session will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2021.  Meeting time TBA.  Performances for the Spring 2021 session are scheduled for May 27 - 30.

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CDC GUIDLINES/SAFETY PROCEDURES:

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Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with CDC, Centenary University, and State recommendations and guidelines, Centenary Stage Company has made the following adjustments to standard procedures in order to maintain a safe learning environment for in-person learning.

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The following procedures and policies will be followed:

• Each student will be managing their own screening process prior to every rehearsal/performance by utilizing the mobile application CampusClear.  For the CampusClear app, a phone number will be required.

• Students will have their temperatures' taken before entering the rehearsal/performance spaces.

• Students will be assigned designated meeting times; they may arrive as early as 5 minutes before their scheduled meet time and must leave campus immediately after the assigned session.

• No student is permitted to remain on campus after their session.

• Groups (or cohorts) will consist of 8 to 10 students; siblings will be placed in the same group.

• There will be a 30-minute break between sessions to allow for cleaning between meetings.

• All sessions will meet in the Dance Studio of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.

• Rehearsals will be held outdoors when possible.

• Social Distancing will be practiced. Masks MUST be worn.

As per the University, the Lackland Performing Arts Center's HVAC system has been upgraded to highest quality air filtration that the system allows.

Meet the Staff:

Michael Blevins 

Program Director

Michael Blevins is an accomplished Director / Choreographer having choreographed the Off-Broadway production of "The Mad Forest" for the Manhattan Theatre Club.  He has directed and choreographed the National Tours of "Babes in Toyland", "Aladdin", and "Tom Sawyer" for the American Family Theatre.

He has worked with many Tony and Academy Award winning Directors and Choreographers including Sir Richard Attenborough, Joe Layton, Woody Allen, Vivian Matalon, Peter Gennaro, Danny Daniels, and Bob Fosse.  He has appeared in several Broadway productions including, "Bring Back Birdie", Neil Simon's "Little Me", and Tony Winning "Tap Dance Kid" in which he created the role of  "Winslow".  Major film roles include a cameo in "Zelig", and a supporting role in the screen biography of "Chaplin".  He is most widely known for his portrayal of Mark in the movie "A Chorus Line".

Research studies point to strong relationships between learning in the arts and fundamental cognitive skills and capacities used to master other core subjects, including reading, writing, and mathematics. Studies show that kids grow up participating in the arts score higher on the SAT by an average of 51 points on verbal and 38 points on math!

ABOUT THE YOUNG PERFORMERS WORKSHOP

Young Performers Workshop is dedicated to the enrichment of young lives through experience in the theatre arts, and serves as a venue for cultivating young theatre performers between the ages of 8 and 18. The program is one of only a handful in the nation that offers both formal training and production experience for young people. Registration is open to any young person regardless of experience. However, prospective students must complete an interview/audition prior to acceptance into the program.

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YPW is under the direction of Broadway, film and television veteran Michael Blevins, and students study technique in acting, voice, and dance with a staff of theatre professionals in a five-week summer session. YPW also offers a fall and spring session, conducted each Saturday throughout the academic year, which culminates in a festival of shows performed for regional audiences. The program is held on the campus of Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey.

YOUNG PERFORMERS WORKSHOP SESSIONS

• The fall session begins in September, culminating with the "Winter Festival of Shows" in December.

• The spring session begins in February, culminating with the "Spring Festival of Shows" in May.

• The summer session is a five-week intensive program beginning in July culminating with the "Summer Festival of Shows" in August