Pages

Monday, January 24, 2011

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR 2011 SUMMER PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS

Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs represent the ultimate opportunity—a chance for students to take their skills to the next level, while gaining the self-discipline and work ethic that will serve them throughout their entire career. Students will participate in demanding classes in singing, acting, auditioning, dance, and a series of guest artist workshops led by professional actors, directors and casting agents. Paper Mill Playhouse's programs build professional skills—so if you have the passion, talent, and drive it takes to be a performer, then Paper Mill Playhouse has the program for you.

2011 Summer Professional Training Programs
for talented young performers ages 10 to 18

PMP_newlogoSMALLPaper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs are comprised of two tracks: the five-week Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory held in July, or the three-week August Musical Theatre Intensive. To qualify for the programs, every student—including returning performers—must audition. Student tryouts are judged for vocal skill, dance ability, personality and song interpretation skills (acting through your song). Students will be placed in a program based on their auditions.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory (June 27 to July 30, 2011) offers the unique opportunity for gifted and talented young performers, ages 10 to 18, to work at their own level and challenge themselves to achieve new goals and learn new skills. The Conservatory is grouped into three companies, allowing each student to work on material that is appropriate for their age and skill level. This five-week program of rigorous study allows students to enhance their individual performance potential while also developing a broad base of theatre experience and knowledge. The Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory classes and workshops will be held at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, in cooperation with the Department of Theater and its resident Equity theatre company, Premiere Stages.

The end of the Conservatory month is devoted to rehearsals for the NEW VOICES CONCERT, performed annually on the Paper Mill Playhouse Stage. Industry professionals are invited and attend the New Voices Concert. The theme of the 2011 News Voices Concert is I'll Take Manhattan, a look Broadway's love affair with its hometown. The New Voices of 2011 concert will take place on July 29 & 30 on the main stage at Paper Mill Playhouse. Tickets go on sale March 1, 2011 at the Paper Mill Box Office 973.376.4343 or on www.papermill.org.

Paper Mill Playhouse's August Musical Theatre Intensive (August 8 to 26, 2011) allows performers between the ages of 10 and 16 to build individual technique and learn about themselves as performers, explore their own abilities and refine their skills. Like the July Conservatory, admission to the August Intensive is by audition only. Intensive students do not perform in the New Voices Concert, rather, the Intensive classes prepare a musical theater showcase for family and friends in the Black Box Theatre at Paper Mill Playhouse. This allows their faculty to focus on strengthening skills and building self confidence in a non-competitive environment. Accepted students are placed in one of two sessions according to age. The small class size in each session allows for individual attention and instruction from the faculty.

AUDITION INFORMATION: For young people who are truly serious about the performing arts, Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs are exactly what you need to elevate your craft, but in order to be a part of this elite group, you must audition.
WHEN: Saturday, February 5, 2011 & Saturday, February 12, 2011
WHERE: Kean University Wilkins Theatre, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union NJ 07083

Auditions are not open calls and an appointment is required. To schedule an audition appointment call 973.379.3636, EXT. 2133

VOCAL AUDITION
Prospective students should select a portion of a song from a musical of approximately 32 bars (no more than one verse and chorus) that best demonstrates your vocal range, musicality, interpretive skills and acting ability. Bring sheet music in a binder or single sheets taped together that contain full piano accompaniment, not just chord symbols. An accompanist will be provided. Students may not perform a cappella or to an audio recording. This audition is your only chance to impress our faculty. Make sure you are well-rehearsed and prepared.

DANCE AUDITION
Everyone will be asked to dance. Students will be taught a dance combination which will then be performed in small groups. Evaluation will be based on skill, potential and the ability to learn the routine. For full audition instructions, including downloadable form, go to www.PaperMill.org. Please wear or bring suitable footwear for your dance audition.

IMPORTANT AUDITION INFORMATION:
Students who are not prepared or who arrive without sheet music may not be allowed to audition. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time to allow for paperwork and photography. To save time, download the forms from our website at www.PaperMill.org/Education/SummerConservatory/Auditions and fill them out and bring them with you. All students must bring one (1) document proving age and identification (i.e., copy of birth certificate, student report card, student ID, passport). Parents will not be permitted in the audition room. Digitally recorded auditions are accepted only for prospective students who live out of state. Submissions must contain a singing performance of a Broadway song with accompaniment and a dance combination (ballet, jazz or tap) performed to music.

Featured performers in past Conservatory New Voices concerts have gone on to take the entertainment industry by storm! Academy Award® nominee ANNE HATHAWAY ("Rachel Getting Married," "The Devil Wears Prada"), Tony® winner LAURA BENANTI (Gypsy) and TV star PAUL IACONO (MTV's "The Hard Times of RJ Berger") all got their start on the famous Paper Mill Playhouse stage. Our alumni appear on Broadway, in National Tours and in television and films.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and New Voices 2011 are generously supported by the Investors Savings Bank Foundation, The Ambrose & Ida Fredrickson Foundation, and The Bloomingdale's Fund of the Macy's Foundation. Additional major funding for Paper Mill Playhouse Education Outreach is provided by The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and MetLife Foundation.

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theatres. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by generous contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.