<p>Has anyone attended or heard anything about the summer musical theatre program for high school students? I was looking at Emerson’s website, and I just came across it, and I’ve never heard anything about it before. I’m looking for a program for this summer, and I’m just looking around to see what my options are.</p>
<p>So if anyone has any information or opinions on the quality of the program, what the main focus is,how many students are admitted, etc, that would be wonderful!</p>
<p>I'd like to hear more about it too, if anyone has any experience with the program.</p>
<p>If you're looking for a RIGOROUS summer program dedicated to intense training in acting and musical theatre, I was a participant at Northwestern University's NHSI theatre program. Best 5 weeks of my life! PM me if you want more info.</p>
<p>I do not know a whole lot about the program but I do know that I have heard excellent htings about it and from what I do know I would recommend highly. I am a current freshman at Emerson and tHe director of the summer program, COurtney O'Connor, is a professor of mine. She is AWESOME and I'm sure a summer spent with her would see you grow both as a performer and a young adult.</p>
<p>Hi all. I just finished the Emerson Summer Stage Musical Theatre program this past summer. So any questions you have, I'd be glad to answer. In the meantime, I guess I'll share my general experience, and I will go into more detail as/if questions come. Alright, so:</p>
<p>I LOVED IT SOOOOOOOOO MUCH. Here's how it works. There are anywhere between 16-20 kids in the program, mostly seniors, but juniors are allowed to/participate as well. Some students live close, and commute, while others live in the dorms. Our class was the pioneer class, and was lucky enough to be housed in the Piano Row dorms. They are so gorgeous and new. We all joked about how we would probably never have apartments as nice as this ever again in our careers as actors. The program lasts five weeks. Everyday, classes start at nine in the Greene theatre in the Tufte building(where admissions tours begin, for those of you who have taken them). The program is run by a mix of current Emerson faculty, as well as graduates as t.a.'s. The day starts with Dance for nearly an hour and a half. First an intense warm-up followed by a dance routine that changes weekly at first, and then every(couple of) day(s) as the program progresses. This class is taught by the t.a.'s. </p>
<p>Then, monologue study with Joe Antoun. The first few sessions are spent hearing Joe lecture, and then the work begins. We first researched in the library for monologues we would like to perform. After selecting material, we work in small groups on our monologues with Joe, Adam, and the t.a.'s. After this, we work on writing and performing our own self-scripted monologues. Then lunch, for 45 minutes. We all love the Emerson dining hall, but there are many other options such as the Emerson Cafe and the Mass. Transit building. </p>
<p>After classes resume, we all go to shakespeare with...COURTNEY O'CONNOR!!!!!! The first classes are spent in lecture about the technique involved(iambic pentameter, feet, rhyme scheme, rising action, denouement, etc.) Then, in small groups, we work on sonnets. Each participant chooses a sonnet as memorizes it. </p>
<p>As the last class of the day, we have Musical Theatre Studio. This class is where we work on songs for the first chunk of the program. A song is selected for each participant to work on, as well as group numbers. We all have a chance to work with the amazing Jon Goldberg and Adam Riccio in this class. Later, shakespeare is cut out, and we have double studio after lunch in preparation for the final showcase. For the showcase, everyone either chooses their monologue, self-scripted, or sonnet to perform, as well as their song. Some of the dance routines from over the weeks are included in the performance as well as a couple of group numbers. </p>
<p>Fridays are always different. In the morning, we have a three-hour master class. These change every week. We had acting for the camera, physical theatre, viewpoints, and audition technique( in the form of mock auditions). Acting for the camera was taught by industry professional Nadette Stasha. Physical theatre was taught by BOCO professor/local performer John Kuntz. Viewpoints was taught by faculty member Eric Weiss, and the mock auditions were run by the Summer Stage staff(including Courtney O'Connor, Joe Antoun, Adam Riccio, Jordan Kai Burnett, David Sharrocks, and McCaela Donovan). Stage Combat(both armed and unarmed) was taught by industry professional Traci Olivero. The day would end at 4, and we would have a chance to explore Boston and its surrounding areas as long as we were in groups and were back by curfew. </p>
<p>The bond formed between all of us is one of a unique nature and extreme strength. We all participate in activities throughout the program that bring us freakishly close. Living together(for the most part) helps with this, too. It has been almost 5 months since the program ended, and we have accrued over 5,500 messages on facebook. We communicate daily on facebook as well as on skype, by phone, and by mail. We all go to see each others' latest productions if able, and see each other as much as humanly possible. We just had a reunion over the winter break, and it was like seeing family for the first time in a long time, only closer, and better. </p>
<p>As far as the staff goes, they are there to shape us as performers, but as people as well. We work most closely with the t.a.'s as they are our dance instructors as well as our group leaders for the other classes, depending on the day. As they have recently graduated from Emerson, they are a wealth of information regarding any emerson-related questions we have as well as questions about college life in general. They are always there for us to talk about anything that was going on in our lives, good or bad. While we have a little less time with the professors, as we spend one class with them as opposed to all day, but they are no less important to the process of shaping us.</p>
<p>That was way longer than I planned to talk(rant) for. So, again, I would be glad to answer any question you may have about the summer program, and thank you for reading this hopefully informative albeit biased diatribe about the wonders of the Emerson Summer Stage MT program.</p>
<p>mt13, thanks so much for your long and informative post. I have a couple of questions, is the program this summer going to continue to be so small, as in 20 students? Also, were you able to meet the students who were there for the other summer programs, as my D is worried about spending 5 weeks in such a small group. The other thing is that when I looked at the application it is MUCH less demanding than any of the other summer programs we've looked at. I don't think they require an essay or even recommendations from teachers, at it makes me wonder in terms of their screening. It is also much less expensive than other similar programs, which is on one hand great, but I was just wondering why, as Emerson itself is very expensive. Is it because most of the teachers are TA's, perhaps?
If anyone has answers to these questions, I'd love to hear. Thanks!</p>
<p>Okay, so. The entire summer stage program is about twice that size, but it includes both the Acting and Musical Theatre tracks. Each has it’s own set of staff and TA’s. If your D will be dorming in the residence hall, she will be with people from all programs. Girls are on one floor, and boys are on another, but students from all programs are put together. Mt’s aren’t rooming only with Mt’s, but also with writers, film and tv students, theatre design students, and acting students. While both in summer stage, Acting and MT students generally don’t see each other during classes, as both tracks are on very different schedules. The residents and the commuters do hang out after class as well, but the commuters must go home at some point, and the residents must be back by curfew. Anyway, back to your question. Yes, the MT program will continue to be this small because this number of students is extremely effective in giving each student individual attention and time for solo work, while lending a sense of group and ensemble. I, personally, was unable to meet the other MT’s because I live quite a way away from Boston, but others were able to get together beforehand. Also, when we were accepted to the program and decided that we would go, we started to talk via the internet and by phone. While I didn’t get to physically meet any of them prior to the start of the program, I feel as though I definitely knew them. I can absolutely say that they are all my best friends right now, and that all 17 of us keep in contact many times daily. On the move-in day, I got in early, waited, and when people started to come in, all the MT’s gathered and talked for about 3 hours before orientation. Also, while MT’s are known for being a really close group, and that is completely true, we were also able to spend much time with the people from the other programs at meals and after classes. So, there are actually many more people for your D to be with if she feels more comfortable in a larger group, or wants to spend time with people in programs other than her own. The application is a lot less work than most others, yes, but the screening process is no less effective. The group of students assembled were enormously talented. Another reason why the summer program is great is because every one has strengths and areas to work on. By the end of the summer, we all grew as performers because of the different levels everyone came in at. As far as the cost, the fact that it is lower than other programs is great, and no reflection on quality. All the faculty are top notch. I am not sure of the exact reason of the lower price, but it is a good thing. While much time is spent with the TA’s, and they are excellent teachers, the Emerson professors always make themselves available to us if we need to speak with them or want to work with them if this is an issue for your D. Both the professors and the TA’s can offer unique perspective on the program. That of having taught there for years, and that of just having graduated from the undergrad or graduate program. I hope I was able to answer all your questions, albeit I took probably far too long to do so. If you have any more questions, I would be glad to answer them, or if I need to clarify anything I’ve said, please let me know. Ultimately what it boils down to, as it does for college, is the question of which program is right for your D. That is a hard thing to tell at this time, but based on the ideals of a program, you can maybe get a sense. If your D is looking to work on herself as a performer as well as a person, then Emerson is the place for her. This program definitely lends itself a sense of independence as far as her life outside of class goes. Class is structured, but there is always room for creativity, and the program is focused more on the value of the process, rather than the product. If this is what she wants, then I would recommend Emerson. If your D is looking for other things like a program that is focused more on a unified product in their students, then I might recommend another program. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>mt13, thanks SO much. You have no idea how helpful your information is. I am pretty sure my D will apply to the program. She has seen the school and loves it and is planning to apply as a freshman, so the school itself and/or Boston is not the issue at all. I was just a bit nervous about her going to a program that is so new, but you have really helped demystify it for both me and my D. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I have a question. Looking at the curriculum, I don’t see much emphasis on singing for MT majors? How much time do they spend on this at the summer program? Thanks!</p>
<p>Hello! I also went to the MT summer program! and i just wanted to point out a few fact that i loved about the program. many of my friends took part in other summer programs and loved them, but what made my time spent this summer much more valuable and producative was the small group of students. This is a plus for many different reasons the main one being, you can learn a lot by watching someone, but when you are actually performing for the professors and they are giving you direct feedback that is the best. Everyday each student would get that direct attention. One of the coolest things they did was the first day of MT Studio they said bring a song and you will sing it for us. Okay yes semi terrifying, but they took how he sang, they got to know each of us very well and by the end of the week they had selected a song for each one of us to sing for our showcase. I keep in touch with EVERYONE! I was in NYC the other day and met up with one of my TA’s i call her all the time! and she always helps me with anything I need. The relationships I made at emerson are priceless. you get both sides of the story; you get the professors who tell you what they are looking for in an auditioner and you get the side of the TAs who have gone threw this and were successful! its an amazing program best five weeks of my life!</p>
<p>To answer the question about the singing. I was worried about that too when I signed up. No need to worry. MT studio starts with a vocal warm up everyday. somedays you work on you group numbers, sometimes on your individual songs that they picked. Jon, who is amazinnggggg is a great director/teacher and he is the one who runs the vocal portion of the program.</p>
<p>jake6970- The brochure doesn’t directly say this, but the Musical Theatre Studio class is where the bulk of the voice work happens. Students get the chance to explore both group singing and solo work. There are optional private voice lessons available if you are truly worried about losing any technique or if you want some extra coaching. Also, the TA’s will help with voice during downtime and showcase rehearsal. Linklater technique is stressed among others.</p>
<p>For anyone who is interested in a summer program that is both fun and prepares you for the college auditioning process I would highly recommend Emerson’s MT summer stage. I had the best experience! However, if you are looking for a really rigorous, serious MT program this might not be for you. I would suggest trying CMU’s program or Northwesterns!</p>
<p>This is very interesting and helpful, as my D is applying to Emerson’s summer program – only in acting, not MT. Is the acting program as good as the musical theatre program seems to be? I’d be grateful for opinions about this!</p>