Summer Intensives 2.0
WHEN: Students can take one or all classes beginning July 13 – 17, July 2- 24, July 27-31.
Two River Theater invites students to stretch their artistic muscles this summer and explore weekly classes in acting, songwriting, scenic/costume/lighting design, or build a short performance in a week in their modified Summer Intensives 2.0.
The program includes a flexible weekly schedule of 90-minute online classes for rising 7th–12th graders with opportunities for onstage and backstage skill-building.
“We designed our online programs to offer student artists the chance to have fun while learning new skills, and to spend time away from a computer as well,” says Director of Education, Kate Cordaro. “Two River Teaching Artists are so excited to explore the possibilities with students this summer. We can’t wait to all be in the room together again hopefully soon, but this program is the next best thing!”
To sign up, visit https://tworivertheater.org/intensives/
ONSTAGE TRACK WEEK 1
WHEN: JUL 13–17 | MON, WED, FRI. 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM. BREAK. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
TUITION: $150
Make a theater piece in a week using the theme Searching for Connection. Onstage Track students will work together to learn a big musical mashup and develop collaboration skills through acting, creative writing, improv, object work, and much more. The work created by the Onstage and Backstage Tracks during the week will come together in a YouTube video that will be posted on Saturday night.
Teaching Artists: Elliot Roth (Broadway: Our Sinatra and A Christmas Carol; Off-Broadway: Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus) and Devin Fletcher (Co-Artistic Director, Bluelaces Theater Company; Two River: Summer Intensives, A Little Shakespeare: Macbeth and A Little Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors)
WHEN: JUL 13–17 | MON–FRI, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
TUITION: $125
This series of classes will explore the world of Scenic Design! From analyzing the script and conducting research, to rendering and model making, sprinkle in a little scenic building knowledge, and you will learn the ins and outs of the creative process, and figure out how to bring your ideas to life. The work created by the Onstage and Backstage tracks during the week will come together in a YouTube video that will be posted on Saturday night. Focus: Scenic Design
Teaching Artists: Shane O’Neil (Urbana Theater, the Guthrie, Two River Theater: Summer Intensives) and Abbey Smith (Two River Theater Light and Sound departments)

WHEN: JUL 13–17, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
TUITION: $125
Each week, students break into a new play, working through the elements of a full rehearsal process in five days. From read-through to scene study, character development to play analysis, participants are directed through the experience of being a theater artist exploring what it takes to not just memorize lines, but truly learn a play.
Students will have the opportunity to study works ranging from Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves to Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters, with each week’s play chosen to challenge that specific class.
Teaching Artist: Devin Fletcher
YOUR SONG, YOUR WAY: AN ARRANGING EXPERIENCE
WHEN: JUL 13–17 | MON, WED, FRI, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
TUITION: $125
Get ready to truly get ‘up close’ and creative with a favorite song! In this class you will each choose a pre-existing song, learn some techniques to reform it, and create a brand new arrangement that is truly unique!
Teaching Artist: Elliot Roth
ADVANCED BACKSTAGE CLASS: PAINT IT ’TIL YOU MAKE IT
WHEN: JUL 13–17 | TUE & THU, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
TUITION: $50
What do you mean that wall is flat? How to give your next set that extra kick it needs. We will explore basic and advanced painting skills to take your sets to the next level, including a Q&A with industry professionals.
This class is best for high school students who have theatre experience at their school or elsewhere, including the crew for A Little Shakespeare or Summer Intensives Backstage Track.
Teaching Artists: Shane O’Neil and Abbey Smith
ONSTAGE TRACK WEEK 2
WHEN: JUL 20-24 | MON, WED, FRI; 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM. BREAK. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
TUITION: $150
Make a theater piece in a week using the theme Welcome to the Big Top. Onstage Track students will work together to learn a big musical mashup and develop collaboration skills through acting, creative writing, improv, object work, and much more. The work created by the Onstage and Backstage Tracks during the week will come together in a YouTube video that will be posted on Saturday night.
Teaching Artists: Elliot Roth and Devin Fletcher
WHEN: JUL 20–24 | MON–FRI; 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
TUITION: $125
This series of classes will explore the world of Costume Design! From analyzing the costuming needs from the script and researching period styles, to the basics of rendering techniques and getting information across in your drawings. In this week, you will not only learn how to design costumes, but begin learning how to build a costume yourself! The work created by the Onstage and Backstage Tracks during the week will come together in a YouTube video that will be posted on Saturday night. Focus: Costume Design
Teaching Artists: Shane O’Neil and Abbey Smith

WHEN: JUL 20–24 | MON–FRI; 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
TUITION: $125
Each week, students break into a new play, working through the elements of a full rehearsal process in five days. From read-through to scene study, character development to play analysis, participants are directed through the experience of being a theater artist exploring what it takes to not just memorize lines, but truly learn a play.
Students will have the opportunity to study works ranging from Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves to Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters, with each week’s play chosen to challenge that specific class.
Teaching Artist: Devin Fletcher
WRITING THE SONG
WHEN: JUL 20–24 | MON, WED, FRI; 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Tickets: $125
In this class you will use devising techniques such as free writing, poetry and discussion to write your very own song: NO prior experience necessary! Virtually ANYTHING goes, as long as you bring “you” to the table!
Teaching Artist: Elliot Roth
ADVANCED BACKSTAGE CLASS: RENDERING FOR COSTUME
WHEN: JUL 20–24 | TUE & THU; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
TUITION: $50
An in-depth course on taking your drawings to the next level. Explore the different techniques for getting your ideas on paper through drawing the human body, clothing styles, and makeup. Includes a Q&A with industry professionals.
This class is best for high school students who have theatre experience at their school or elsewhere, including the crew for A Little Shakespeare or Summer Intensives Backstage Track.
Teaching Artists: Shane O’Neil and Abbey Smith
ONSTAGE TRACK WEEK 3
WHEN: JUL 27–31, MON, WED, FRI; 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM. BREAK. 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
TUITION: $150
Make a theater piece in a week using the theme Seasons Change. Onstage Track students will work together to learn a big musical mashup and develop collaboration skills through acting, creative writing, improv, object work, and much more. The work created by the Onstage and Backstage Tracks during the week will come together in a YouTube video that will be posted on Saturday night.
Teaching Artists: Elliot Roth and Devin Fletcher
BACKSTAGE TRACK WEEK 3
WHEN: JUL 27 – 31 | MON / WED / FRI; 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
TUITION: $125
This series of classes will explore the world of Lighting Design! From analyzing the script and researching inspiration to the basics of color theory and electricity, we will explore the basics of the lighting design process, and how you can tell a story with light. The work created by the Onstage and Backstage Tracks during the week will come together in a YouTube video that will be posted on Saturday night. Focus: Lighting Design
Teaching Artists: Shane O’Neil and Abbey Smith
DOING THE WORK: ACTING AND DIRECTING WEEK 3
WHEN: JUL 27–31, MON–FRI; 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
TUITION: $125
Each week, students break into a new play, working through the elements of a full rehearsal process in five days. From read-through to scene study, character development to play analysis, participants are directed through the experience of being a theater artist exploring what it takes to not just memorize lines, but truly learn a play.
Students will have the opportunity to study works ranging from Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves to Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters, with each week’s play chosen to challenge that specific class.
Teaching Artist: Devin Fletcher
MASHUP!
WHEN: JUL 27–31, MON, WED, FRI; 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
TUITION: $125
Your mission: take 2-3 songs; break them up, combine them, rearrange the words, change the tempo, the options are endless! You will learn the ins and outs of creating the ultimate medley or “mashup” of songs, as we explore and incorporate everything from arranging to story telling!
Teaching Artists: Elliot Roth
ADVANCED BACKSTAGE CLASS: THE ILLUSTRATING WORLD OF LIGHTING DESIGN
WHEN: TUE & THU; 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Tickets: $50
Enlighten your mind with a dive into the inner workings of what electrifies lighting design. With a focus on programming, and a Q&A with industry professionals, this course guides you into what it takes to really shine in this industry.
This class is best for high school students who have theatre experience at their school or elsewhere, including the crew for A Little Shakespeare or Summer Intensives Backstage Track.
Teaching Artists: Shane O’Neil and Abbey Smith
Need-based scholarships are available, to apply visit: https://bit.ly/3da2bdO
Questions? Email summercamp@trtc.org
Video: Learn more about what to expect as part of Two River’s Summer Program featuring Director of Education, Kate Cordaro: https://bit.ly/2AzKMhH
Two River Theater's education programs are supported in part by The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Investors Foundation, The Mary Owen Borden Foundation, OceanFirst, PNC Foundation, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, The Wells Fargo Foundation, and are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.