Duke City Rep to Launch Inaugural Summer Academy in July

On the cusp of their fifth season, Duke City Repertory Theatre is launching their inaugural Summer Academy in July, where students between the ages of 5 and 18 are invited to learn life skills through stage skills.

"Theatre is fun for students of all ages-there's no disputing that," says Katie Becker Colón, Director of Education for Duke City Rep. "It can also be used as a vehicle to develop creativity, teamwork, focus, and communication."

DCRT will provide top-level arts instruction by professional actors with decades of experience in theatre and film. They've been voted "Best Theatre" company in the city by Albuquerque the Magazine three years in a row and are the only professional Resident Acting Company in Albuquerque.

"Bravery, creative problem solving, teamwork, honesty, accountability, and responsibility-all of us (within DCRT) use these skills on a daily basis," says Colón. "We learned how to use these tools in theatre. We believe we're better human beings because of it." Several members of DCRT have worked in summer academies similar to this one. "We've seen how life-changing this style of program can be."

Students will rotate through three classes each day: acting, improvisation, and voice and movement. "The structure ensures that students interact with and learn from several theatre professionals every single day. That kind of concentrated exposure is invaluable to our students," says Colón.

The two-week Summer Academy will take place at North Valley Academy from July 7-18, Monday through Friday, in the mornings from 9 am to 12 pm. There will be a final presentation on Saturday, July 19, where family and friends will be invited to see the students present the work they have learned over the course of the program.