Musical Theatre Institute for Teens - The Theatre Lab

Musical Theatre Institute for Teens

A unique four-week training program for ages 13-19 culminating in a full production of a challenging musical at Atlas Performing Arts Center

“This program is absolutely amazing. I don’t quite understand how they do it all, combining outstanding talent, hard work, learning, confidence, humility, community, kindness AND SO MUCH FUN!”
– Parent, Musical Theatre Institute

Offered in two sessions at The Theatre Lab:

(Please note:  Students can audition to take part in both sessions!)

Session I: Restricted Title (Teen Edition): Announcement Forthcoming

Directed by Deb Gottesman and Lucia LaNave
Sarah Frances Williams, Choreographer
June 16-July 12,* Mondays-Fridays
12pm-6pm (Note: first week meets 4pm-8pm to accommodate DC school schedules) 
Evening rehearsals and performances July 7-12 and matinee July 12
*No class on June 19 or July 4

Since we can’t tell you what this musical is, we thought we’d include a Q&A with Director Deb Gottesman:

Q: Do YOU know what the show is? 
Deb: (Laughs) Yes. 
Q: Why can’t you tell us?  
Deb:  Sometimes the company that holds the rights to a certain show will impose restrictions when granting the license, often because a professional tour will be nearby. Our restrictions say that we can’t announce or even hint at what it is.  
Q: Is that because this is the first time it’s been locally produced? 
Deb: Nope.  While it is very newly available, we aren’t the first but, for some reason, we are the most restricted! 
Q: Will you announce it before auditions in March? 
Deb: Unfortunately, we can’t.  We’re hoping our teens will trust us enough to come out for it despite the secrecy. 
Q: How will people know what to audition with? 
Deb: We’ll guide them to some material that feels similar in terms of characters, vocal range, etc.  And we won’t ask anyone to commit to taking part until we can reveal the show and the casting of the roles.  
Q: So what CAN you tell us? 
Deb: That it’s a spectacular musical, full of pathos, energy, originality and passion.  Its score ranges from contemporary to gospel to folk and jazz, with searing ballads and high-energy group numbers.  I’ve been dying to do it with our teens because I think you can learn so much about acting and singing and movement from it, and I think they will be pretty thrilled, too. But if I say anymore, I might lose our license! 

As part of their training, students cast in ensemble roles will also have the opportunity to rehearse and perform a solo in a student cabaret, open to the public, during the final week of the program.

Session II: The SpongeBob Musical!

Directed by Tracy Lynn Olivera and Lucia LaNave
Maya Nellum, Choreographer
Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg
Book by Kyle Jarrow
Musical Production Conceived by Tina Landau
Original Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic!, At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I.
And Songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley
Additional Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton, Additional Music by Tom Kitt

July 14-August 9, Mondays-Fridays
12pm-5pm
Evening rehearsals and performances Aug 5-9 and Matinee Aug 9.

Dive into the world of Bikini Bottom and be part of a critically acclaimed musical adventure under the sea! Nominated for an impressive 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and winner of Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, The SpongeBob Musical! is more than just iconic cartoon characters come to life– it’s  also a hilarious and heartfelt story about community, resilience, and being your best self. Featuring a dynamic score by music legends including Panic! John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, and David Bowie, this is a musical where any role can be played by an actor of any gender and type. And it’s a great ensemble piece, too–all of the many inhabitants of Bikini Bottom are involved in the action most of the time–with fun break-out roles of all kinds.  

Students participating in SpongeBob will receive training in acting, singing and dancing as part of the rehearsal process. In addition, students cast in ensemble roles will have the opportunity to rehearse and perform a solo in a student cabaret, open to the public, during the third week of the program.

About The Musical Theatre Institute for Teens

The Musical Theatre Institute for Teens is an intensive four-week training program in which participants rehearse and perform a full musical production under the guidance of the area’s most esteemed directors. The idea behind the institute is to enable young artists to explore challenging, socially relevant material from the contemporary musical theatre world as they receive the intensive voice, movement and acting training essential for professional-level performance. Past productions, including performances of Titanic, Footloose, The Prom, Urinetown, Jesus Christ Superstar, Parade, and Rent, have played to critical raves and sold-out houses

The Musical Theatre Institute is designed to challenge young performers—both artistically and personally—while providing a supportive, caring environment in which to develop. Roles are open to experienced performers as well as those looking to build musical theatre skills. While the emphasis is on performance, students will also receive training in a wide variety of musical theatre disciplines during the rehearsal process, including: vocal production, acting a song, proper breathing technique, movement, building a character, ensemble acting, and more. 

Classes and rehearsals will be held at our new satellite location at 10th and G Streets (First UCC DC).  Performances will take place at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street, NE. See schedules above. Note: On the second night of performance (Friday) there will be no classes; students will be expected to arrive at the theatre at 5pm for rehearsal and stay through performance time.

ADMISSION

Admission to the Musical Theatre Institute for Teens is by application and audition. Applicants will be accepted on the basis of their commitment to exploring the musical theatre craft, their willingness to collaborate in a group process of discovery with other young artists, and their ability to handle the demands of the play and the musical score. 

All applicants must complete a written essay expressing their interest in the program. Applicants must also prepare a musical theatre song for auditions that will be scheduled upon receipt of completed application.

Application Deadline:  March 1
Due to the limited nature of our enrollment, admission is competitive. You will be contacted shortly after the application deadline to schedule an audition. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only if space becomes available.

TUITION

Tuition for each session of the Musical Theatre Institute is $1,450. Please note:  If you audition and are accepted into both Musical Theatre Sessions, you will receive a 15% discount on tuition for enrolling in both programs (total tuition: $2,465).

Partial financial aid is available through our Work Study program. In addition, a limited number of full scholarships will be awarded annually through the Dena Kohn Memorial Scholarship Fund. (Criteria: exceptional community involvement and financial need.)  

For more information or to apply, please visit our website at www.theatrelab.org

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Apply for Financial Aid here. 

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