Workshops for Kids & Teens

The Academy Is Different Than Camp (For Grades 3 & up)

The Wolf Theatre Academy’s summer experience should not be confused with a typical camp experience, which focuses on constant activity and stimulation. At the youngest ages (grades PreK–2), our classes are similar to those in camps, where programs are conducted as structured play.However, at the older ages (grades 3 and up), we are a serious training academy where the focus of our program is quality performance.While students are supervised at all times during academy hours, all students in performance or production workshops will be expected to work on their own at home and when not directly working with faculty. Also, students with leading roles will be asked to spend significant time studying at home.We encourage parents who are looking for a more recreational camp experience to take this into consideration when making their summer choices.

Mainstage Production Sessions

Patrons of our programshould note that again this year our mainstage productions rehearse in one session and perform in the next session. This is to accommodate those students whose schools let out during the first few weeks in June. This year all three productions begin the third week of a session and perform in week two of the following session. This might be an issue if parents are trying to match schedules for other three week programs. Check dates carefully and please feel free to call our staff for assistance if you have any questions.

Grade Levels

All grade levels refer to the grade students will be entering in the fall of 2010. Students in grades 3 and 6 generally have two options. They may  participate with younger students, which gives them greater responsibility and the possibility of larger roles in Dramatics Performance Workshops, or they can choose to work with older students and face the challenge of moremature work. Students at the younger end of the grade requirements should expect smaller roles in productions and workshops (see also Day One Auditions and Casting below).

*Day One Auditions

An asterisk and phrase (*Day One Auditions) after the title of a workshop indicates that acting auditions and the casting of roles are part of the class. It should be noted that students do not need to audition before enrollment and all students enrolled will be guaranteed a part in the play/workshop. Auditions for individual roles will be held on the first day of class, and rehearsals begin after roles have been at the Wolf Theatre Academy, assigned. Barring absences or policy violations, each student will retain his or her role for the duration of the class. Although no preparation is required for auditions (see musical exception below), it is always helpful for inexperienced students in grades 3–6 to enroll in the Audition Techniques Workshop, which runs from June 7-11.

**Day One MUSICAL Auditions

Two asterisks and phrase (**Day One MUSICAL Auditions) after the title of a workshop indicates that musical and acting auditions and the casting of roles are part of the class. It should be noted that students do not need to audition before enrollment and all students enrolled will be guaranteed a part in the play/workshop. Auditions for individual roles will be held on the first day of class, and rehearsals begin after roles have been assigned. Barring absences or policy violations, each student will retain his or her role for the duration of the class. This summer we are running three musical workshops in the Pluss Theatre. These are slightly different in terms of preparation then our non-musical workshop. It should be noted that no musical experience is necessary to sign up for these classes. However, all students enrolled in these musical workshops must come to the first day prepared to sing a song from a Broadway musical. Recommendations and further instructions will be provided once you sign up. It should also be noted that students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the music from
the show before the first day of this workshop.

Casting

While the objective of the summer performance classes at the Wolf Theatre Academy is to give all students equal opportunities, we cannot promise specific parts to any student, and no student
should expect a leading role or preferential treatment in any production. We make every effort to ensure that all children are engaged by the collaborative effort needed to put on a play, and that every student finishes the session with a positive feeling. Some children, especially those who have less theatrical experience or who are moving into a new age category, may initially be disappointed with their casting. Parents should understand that even if a child is disappointed with his or her casting, tuition cannot be refunded.

Attendance at Performance Classes

Students who will miss even a single performance of a production should not register for the class. Students who miss more than one day of any class for any reason, including illness, may be re-cast at the instructor’s discretion. Extensive absences may result in the reduction or even elimination of a student’s performance responsibilities. MACC will not refund tuition because of a student’s absences.

Scheduling: Weekend rehearsals, May 31 (Memorial Day), June 20 (Father’s Day) and July 4.

Please read the class descriptions carefully, as some workshops list mandatory attendance at Sun. rehearsals and performances. There will be no Academy rehearsals or performances on Friday evenings or at any time on Saturdays. This year we begin with a short week of programming beginning on Tuesday, June 1, with no classes taking place onMonday,May 31 (Memorial Day). Please note also that some workshops have mandatory rehearsals on Father’s Day (Sun., June 20).There are no weekday class disruptions due to the July 4 holiday which falls on a Sun., however there are some weekend rehearsals and performances that fall on that day. Please do note that all classes will meet according to their regular schedules during the July 5-9 week (the legal holiday for Independence Day will be on Monday, July 5; there will be classes on that day). Families planning activities or trips on either Father’s Day or extended trips  related to the July 4 holiday should not sign up for classes that conflict with their plans.

JCC Maccabi Games® Week; August 2-6

The MACC Wolf Theatre Academy will hold classes the week of August 2–6. Parents signing up for class on this week should note that the JCC campus will play host to the JCCMaccabi Games®- an athletic competition for Jewish teens from around the world. Sharing our campus that week will be 1500 student athletes and coaches.We will be providing extra assistance in dropping off and picking up, but there is likely to be more traffic than usual during that week.

Upcoming Classes

• July 19-23
• July 26- August 1
• August 2-6

• August 9-13