Aurora Theatre Now Enrolling Students for Amazing Summer Acting Programs

The temperatures are rising, everything is in bloom and spring has sprung. For parents, that means it's time to reserve your child's spot in the acclaimed Aurora Academy summer programs. Aurora Academy camps and intensives are for students from 1st - 12th grades. Aurora Theatre Director of Education, Larry Ruth, has put together an unprecedented team of teaching professionals, including a voice instructor with Broadway experience. New this year, perspective students will be able to attend a Summer Camp Open House on April 30.

Aurora Academy Summer Programs
Preparing Students to Perform Like Professionals

Aurora Academy is the best summer theatre program for young people in Northeast Georgia.
What distinguishes Aurora Academy from other summer drama camps is that the instructors are working professionals with years of real-world professional experience. In addition to receiving training to be a winner onstage, students build confidence, communication and life skills that will be a valuable part of their bright futures.

Camp Aurora for 1st - 5th Grade Students
This year, 1st and 2nd grade participants in Mini Camp Aurora will present performances of Charlotte's Web (June 6-10) and Chicken Little (June 27-July 1).

Master Camp Aurora for our 3rd through 5th grade students will work on performances of Stinky Cheese Man (June 6-10) and The Boy Who Cried Wolf (June 27-July 1).

Camp Aurora gives students the opportunity to spend a week at Aurora where they can learn what it takes to put on a performance. This production class will provide students with valuable stage experience, all the while encouraging teamwork and collaboration with peers. The experience instills a sense of self-confidence in our students. In these half-day sessions, students will be active participants in creating portions of the sets, costumes, and props for these exciting, whirlwind productions presented to family and friends.

Aurora Academy Summer Intensive for Middle and High School Students
Middle and high school students have two great options. Summer Starmaker camp is two weeks of singing, dancing, and acting in our musical theatre intensive. The Acting Edge camp explores the craft of acting with Stanislavski, Shakespeare and improvisation classes. Both sessions will culminate in Showcase 2011, a performance on the Aurora Theatre Main Stage with live music. Whether your teen is a seasoned performer or beginner, they will benefit from the real world experience of our teaching staff.

Located on the square in downtown Lawrenceville, Aurora Theatre is committed to educating young actors in our world-class facility. A summer with us will create memories to treasure for a lifetime.

Aurora Academy Open House on April 30, 2011
Parents and students can now figuratively "kick the tires" of Aurora Academy's Summer Programs. Prospective campers get a taste of what our summer programs will entail, FREE of charge. Families get to meet some of the faculty and tour the amazing facilities where camps are held. The open house will be held the afternoon of April 30, 2011 from 1:30-5:00pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

Scholarships for Aurora Academy
Recognizing the importance of making these great programs accessible to all families, The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation, Forrestall, Galeano & Li, CPA, LLC , Buford Woman's Club and Kiwanis Club of Suwanee, GA have provided financial support. Once again this summer, Aurora Academy will have a scholarship fund available to help families offset the cost of summer camp participation.

2011 SUMMER SESSIONS

CAMP AURORA PRODUCTION CLASS (rising 1st-5thgrades)
Mini Camp Aurora-June 6-10 (rising 1st and 2nd grades)-Charlotte's Web
Master Camp Aurora-June 6-10 (rising 3rd through 5th grades)-Stinky Cheese Man
Mini Camp Aurora-June 27-July 1 (rising 1st and 2nd grades)-Chicken Little
Master Camp Aurora-June 27-July 1 (rising 3rd through 5th grades)-The Boy Who Cried Wolf
One week, half-day sessions, 9am-12noon, Cost: $175.00

AURORA ACADEMY SUMMER INTENSIVE
SUMMER STARMAKER (rising 6th-12thgrades)
Session 1: June 13-17; June 20-24 weekdays; Session 2: July 5-8; 11-15 weekdays
Two-week, full-day sessions, 10am-4pm, Cost: $475.00

THE ACTING EDGE (rising 6th-12thgrades)
Session 1: June 13-17; 20-24 weekdays; Session 2: July 5-8; 11-15 weekdays
Two-week, full-day sessions, 10am-4pm, Cost: $475.00

There is a $25.00 first-time student application fee. Pre-booking guarantees your spot in one of our classes. We are limiting enrollment in each class to 15 students. A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is required.

Register
678-226-6222
Online Registration: http://www.auroratheatre.com/secure/academy.php
Aurora Theatre Education webpage: http://www.auroratheatre.com/new/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=16

Aurora Theatre
128 East Pike Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

MEET THE AURORA ACADEMY FACULTY - SUMMER 2011

Ricardo Aponte
(Dance Instructor for Summer Starmakers)
Ricardo Aponte is a local choreographer and actor for the Atlanta professional theatre community. Favorite theatre credits include: The Buddy Holly Story (Georgia Ensemble), Altar Boyz (Horizon Theatre), Zanna Don't and The Great American Trailer Park (Actor's Express), How I became A Pirate (Theatre in the Square), Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer (Center for Puppetry Arts), Kiss Me, Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, The Dinosaur Musical, (Aurora Theatre), The Music Man and Little Shop of Horrors (Atlanta Lyric Theater), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Highland Playhouse), among other productions. Ricardo has been nominated for two Suzi Bass awards (Atlanta's version of the Tonys) for outstanding choreographer for Little Shop and Best Featured Actor for his portrayal of Ritchie Valens in The Buddy Holly Story. His work has also been recognized by the Sunday Paper for his accomplishments in 2006-2007. In 2004 and 2005 he was both singing soloist and assistant choreographer for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's A Very Merry Holiday Pops. He also served as choreographer for CBS's "The Atlantic Station Tree Lighting." Other performing credits include: Rich's Lighting of the Tree (back-up dancer for Usher and Lee Ann Womack). Ricardo has also choreographed many industrial shows for companies such as Pampered Chef, Turner Network Television (TNT), and Six Flags Over Georgia. Ricardo has choreographed/directed shows and dance recitals for many high schools in the Atlanta region and has taught theatre camps at the Aurora Theatre and most recently at the ALLIANCE THEATRE.

Mary Nye Bennett
(Acting Instructor for Mini Camp Sessions)
Mary Nye Bennett graduated in 2001 with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Mississippi. Her professional career began with Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre; Mary spent six summers performing there. In addition to performing, she was a part of their "Youth Theatre Workshop." Mary started as a choreographer for the workshop teaching kids ages 8-14 the fun of dancing. In 2007 she became the director of the entire youth academy ages 8-18. Although she's performed in over a dozen shows in Colorado, her most important role was as teacher and friend to her 120 students. Mary's favorite acting roles include the Narrator in Joseph, Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street and Martha in The Secret Garden. Most recently she played in Leader of the Pack at Atlanta Lyric Theatre and is currently in rehearsals for The Mikado at the Lyric as well. Mary can be seen this summer in Horizon Theatre's production of Avenue Q.

Clay Causey
(Voice and Music Instructor for Summer Starmakers)
Clay Causey started his theatrical career while still a voice and piano major at UGA by performing in 11 musicals with Theatre of the Stars at the Atlanta Civic Center, where he appeared with many of the legendary stars of Hollywood and Broadway. After graduation, he moved to NYC where he enjoyed 19 active years as an actor, singer, pianist, and musical director, working in musicals, plays, cabarets, and recordings. Clay had the good fortune of being chosen for the Broadway company of Snoopy, played Tenpin in a Town Hall revival of Knickerbocker Holiday with the great Richard Kiley, and played the role of Lane in an Off-Broadway mounting of Not in Ernest as well as roles for many regional theatres, repertory companies, and touring productions all over the Americas.

Since moving back to his hometown of Atlanta, Clay has been an award-winning musical director, conductor, and pianist/keyboardist for more than 30 memorable productions at many local theatres, among them: Grey Gardens, Wonderful Town and Once Upon A Mattress (Actor's Express); Shrew: The Musical (Georgia Shakespeare); Funny Girl and Hello, Muddah, Hello, Fadduh (JTS); I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Horizon Theatre); The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Candide (Theatre Arts Guild at GPC); Grand Hotel and Nunsense (Neighborhood Playhouse); I Do, I Do (Aurora Theatre); Urinetown, Man of LaMancha and The Kiss of the Spider Woman (Onstage Atlanta), to name just a few. He's also enjoyed his work as musical director/accompanist for cabarets with The Lyric Theatre, Onstage Atlanta, and Actor's Express. Clay is currently the Choral Director and Musical Director for The Pius Players at St. Pius X Catholic High School. He also served for 17 years as Supervisor of Voice Studies at Woodward Academy where he taught vocal technique and repertoire, musical-directing many of their mainstage shows, and producing and playing over 40 voice recitals.

Megan Hayes
(Acting Instructor for Master Camp Sessions; Acting Instructor for Acting Edge and Summer Starmakers)
Megan Hayes is an actress and teaching artist. She has taught at the Aurora Theatre, Theatre in the Square, ALLIANCE THEATRE, Jewish Theatre of the South, and the Atlanta International School. She was the Middle School/Upper School Drama teacher at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School where she directed their Shuler Hensley-nominated production of Grease! She has a B.F.A. in Acting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Acting credits include Jill Tanner in Butterflies Are Free at Stage Door Players, Janet in Boeing, Boeing and Brooke/Vicki in Noises Off, both at the Aurora Theatre, and Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker at the Alliance.

Jaclyn Hofmann
(Acting Instructor for Shakespeare Classes for Acting Edge)
Jaclyn Hofmann has her B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Jacksonville University and an M.F.A. in Acting from Michigan State University where she taught undergraduate acting courses for three years. She's taught locally for Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and the Adult Acting Class for Aurora Academy. Jaclyn is currently playing Eulalie Shinn in The Music Man at Fabrefaction Theatre Company. After that she will be playing Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Shakespeare Tavern. Some other favorite roles include Dorine in Tartuffe, Jeannie in HAIR, and Percy in Spitfire Grill.

Kenneth "Big Kenney" Johnson
(Improvisation Instructor for Acting Edge)
Kenneth "Big Kenney" Johnson has been a rising star in the comedy industry for the past 15 years. Within his first year of doing stand-up, he was on TV performing on Showtime which really launched his career. He has traveled all over the world performing on all four continents entertaining audiences of all colors, shapes, sizes and accents.
Big Kenney is a primary player in Atlanta's "Blacktop Improv Group" which is the nation's only improvisational comedy troupe comprised of professional black comedians. A natural born improv artist, Big Kenney's quick wit and funny characters draw in the audience and hold their attention. He has been seen on Showtime, NBC, BET, and is one of the writers for The Rickey Smiley Show, The StEve Harvey Show, Robert Townsend's Partners In Crime, and The 2009 Soul Train Awards.

He has been teaching comedy in Atlanta for seven years and many of his students have gone on to be working professional comedians and directly credit him for helping speed up their comedy careers. He has won "Best Comedy Class" in Atlanta for the past two years from the Atlanta comedy community Atlanta Stands Up.