WSU to offer theater academy, workshop for students

Wichita State University’s School of Performing Arts will offer for the first time a Summer Theatre Academy for high school students. The school is also offering again its summer Musical Theatre workshop, open to high school and college students.

The academy will be offered during two sessions from 1-5 p.m. June 7-26 and June 28-July 17. The session may be taken for credit. Each session will culminate in two Saturday performances June 26 and July 17, times to be announced. Admission will be free. The workshop fee is $200, additional fees if the workshop is taken for 3 credits. Contact Wendy Hanes, director of WSU’s Fine Arts Institute, (316) 978-3581, for information.

The curriculum will include acting classes and special workshops on makeup, mask making, costumes, set design, stage management, directing, photos and resumes, auditions techniques, improvisation, and other aspects of theater. Shawn Sorenson, a high school teacher and WSU performing arts graduate student, will coordinate both theater academies. Fourteen WSU theater students will be involved in teaching and working with the high school students. High school students may participate as interns in the WSU summer theater productions, and all will receive two complimentary tickets to each production.

The summer Musical Theatre workshop for high school and college students will meet 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, July 26-31. Students will have the opportunity to earn two hours college credit. Call Terri McWilliams (316) 978-3056, or e-mail mcwillia@twsuvm.uc.twsu.edu for information.

 The workshop will be an intensive one-week study in dance, music and theater. Students collaborate with professionals in musical theater; attend daily technique classes in dance, voice and acting; learn scenes, songs and production numbers from various Broadway shows; and participate in an informal performance for an invited audience.

The class will be taught by WSU faculty Teressa Wylie McWilliams, assistant professor of dance; Linda Starkey, visiting instructor of voice and theater; and Matt Bean, associate professor and associate director, WSU’s Musical Theatre.