Aurora Theatre Now Enrolling Students for Summer Acting Programs

With the end of school upon us, Aurora Theatre reminds parents that it is time to reserve your spot in our acclaimed summer programs. We will offer camps and intensives for students from rising 1st - 12th Grades. Aurora Theatre Director of Education, Susan Reid, has put together an unprecedented team of teaching professionals, including a voice instructor with Broadway experience.

Aurora Academy Summer Programs
Study with Working Professionals to Bring Out Your Best

Aurora Academy is the best summer theatre program for young people in Northeast Georgia. We are set apart from other summer drama camps in that our instructors are working professionals with years of experience. In addition to receiving training to be a winner onstage, students will take with them confidence, communication and life skills that will be a valuable part of their bright futures.

Support for Aurora Academy
Recognizing the importance of these great programs for youth, Aurora Academy has received financial support from The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation, Forrestall, Galeano & Li, CPA, LLC and Kiwanis Club of Suwanee, GA. Once again this summer we will have a scholarship fund available to help families offset the cost participation in Aurora Academy's Summer Programs.

Camp Aurora For Rising 1st - 5th Grade Students
This year Camp Aurora will present performances of Aesop's Fables. Camp Aurora gives students the opportunity to spend a week with us and put on a performance. This production class will provide students with valuable stage experience all while encouraging teamwork, collaborating with peers, and instilling a sense of self-confidence. In these half-day sessions, students will be active participants in creating portions of the sets, costumes and props for this exciting, whirlwind production presented to family and friends. Each class will perform from a different Aesop's fable.

Aurora Academy Summer Intensive For Rising 6th - 12th Grade Students
Middle and high school students have two great options. Summer Starmaker is two weeks of signing, dancing and acting in our musical theatre intensive. The Acting Edge explores the craft of acting with Stanislavski, Shakespeare and improvisation classes. Both sessions will culminate in Showcase 2010, a performance on the Aurora Theatre Main Stage with live music. Whether you are a seasoned performer or beginner, you 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.

2010 SUMMER SESSIONS

CAMP AURORA PRODUCTION CLASS (rising 1st-5thgrades)
Session 1 Production Class: June 7-11
Session 2 Production Class: July 19-23
One week, Half-day sessions, 9am-12noon, Cost: $175.00

AURORA ACADEMY SUMMER INTENSIVE
SUMMER STARMAKER (rising 6th-12thgrades)
Session 1: June 14-25 weekdays, Session 2: July 5-16 weekdays
Two-week, 10-4pm, Cost: $475.00

THE ACTING EDGE (rising 6th-12thgrades)
Session 1: June 14-25 weekdays, Session 2: July 5-16 weekdays
Two-week, 10-4pm, Cost: $475.00

There is a $25.00 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.

MEET THE AURORA ACADEMY FACULTY
SUMMER 2010

Ricardo Aponte
(Dance Instructor Middle & High School Students)
Ricardo is a top professional theater choreographer, as one of the busiest in the region his credits include: Kiss Me, Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, Guys and Dolls, The Dinosaur Musical, Camelot, and Lucky Stiff (Aurora Theatre), Zanna Don't and The Great American Trailer Park (Actor's Express), Speech and Debate (Theatre in the Square), Altar Boyz (Horizon Theatre), Valhalla (Essential Theater), Godspell and Little Shop of Horrors* (Suzi nominated-best choreography-Atlanta Lyric Theater). Ricardo was recognized by the Sunday Paper for his Choreography in 2006-2007. Ricardo began his dance training at an early age from academies such as the Atlanta Ballet, Dance Devotion and Dance 101. Ricardo has taught in over 15 schools in GA, Applause For Kids, a musical theater based after school program in Buckhead as well as staging choreography for many high schools in the region

Mary Nye Bennett
(Acting Instructor for July Sessions)
Mary graduated in 2001 with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Mississippi. Her professional career began with Rocky Mountain Reparatory 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. You may recognize Mary from her roles at Aurora Theatre, Darzee in Rikki Tikki Tavi and Carlotta in The Dinosaur Musical.

Clay Causey
(Voice & Music Instructor Middle & High School)
Clay 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 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 and cabarets. Clay had the good fortune of being chosen for the Broadway company of Snoopy and played Tenpin in a Town Hall revival of Knickerbocker Holiday with the great Richard Kiley. He also played the role of Lane in an Off-B'way mounting of Not in Ernest as well as roles for many regional theatres, repertory companies, and touring productions.

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. Clay is Supervisor of Voice Studies at Woodward Academy where he has been teaching vocal technique and repertoire, musical-directing many of their mainstage shows, and producing voice recitals since 1992.
Shane Desmond
Shane Desmond is a recent transplant from New York City, where he studied improv comedy under Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation, Saturday Night Live) at Manhattan's famed Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He has appeared on Comedy Central and is an award-winning performer for his work in the NYC Fringe Festival production of Save the Goondocks! (The Goonies Musical) in which he played lovable Sloth Fratelli. He has been teaching children, college students and professionals how to be funny since 2002, though sadly he has only been funny himself since Tuesday.
Brooke Hamilton
Brooke C. Hamilton is excited to join the teaching staff of Aurora Theatre this summer! She comes to the Aurora from Georgia Shakespeare where she worked four years as the education associate and company manager. Other teaching credits include The ALLIANCE THEATRE, The Center for Puppetry Arts, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, ART Station, and Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta. Brooke is also a stage manager, and has previously worked for The ALLIANCE THEATRE Collision Project, Actor's Express, The Center for Puppetry Arts and Virgina Stage Company. She looks forward to meeting the campers at Aurora!
Megan Hayes
Megan Hayes is the Middle School/Upper School Drama teacher at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School where she directed their Shuler Hensley nominated production of Grease! She has taught at the ALLIANCE THEATRE, Jewish Theatre Of the South and workshops at the Atlanta International School. She has a BFA in Acting from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
Bethany Anne Lind
Bethany Anne Lind is an actor and teaching artist in Atlanta. She has taught with the ALLIANCE THEATRE, British Academy of Performing Arts, Kid's Drama Factory, and the Jewish Community Center. As an actor she appeared on Aurora's stage in Buy My House... Please! and The Storytelling Ability of a Boy. She has also been seen on stage at ALLIANCE THEATRE, Theatre in the Square, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare, Synchronicity and others. She looks forward to creating great theatre with students this summer!

For registration and more information:
Celeste Mercer
Aurora Theatre Director of Patron Relations
678-226-6222
boxoffice@auroratheatre.com

Aurora Theatre
128 East Pike Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30042
www.auroratheatre.com

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