ATMTC to Launch Musical Theater Pre-Professional Program in September

Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC) Academy announces the launch of a Pre-Professional Program to prepare exemplary young musical theater artists in grades 4-12 for college and/or a professional career, starting in September 2014. Led by a highly qualified faculty, and with a curriculum that incorporates the National & State Fine Arts Standards of Learning, the Pre-Professional Program will provide students with comprehensive training in singing, dancing, acting, and performance from September through May each year.

The Pre-Professional Program is successor to the acclaimed Student Ensembles Program (known originally as Young Artists of Washington) founded in 1984 by Richard Hartzell.

"Our top students love to perform," explains Kathryn Hnatio, ATMTC Education Director and head of the ATMTC Academy. "More and more, the top undergraduate programs require rigorous training and the highest standards of discipline and quality. Our Pre-Professional Program will give committed and talented students the right preparation. They'll get top quality training and performance opportunities."

Students will be placed in one of four companies based on skill level and age. In addition to weekly classes in music, dance and acting, members of the Pre-Professional Program will participate in an integrated class that incorporates all three disciplines using musical theater repertoire; master classes; additional weekday classes in ballet, jazz, tap, vocal performance, and acting (at the ATMTC Academy); and performance opportunities including a Fall Cabaret, roadshows at limited VIP events in the DC Region, and an end -of -year Spotlight revue showcase.

Pre-Professional Faculty include Andrew Wassenich (Head of Acting), Shawn Short (Head of Dance), and Todd Robinson (Head of Music). Says Producing Artistic Director Michael J. Bobbitt, "Adventure Theatre MTC is able to provide such high quality training only by hiring the best musical theater professionals in the region." We're also proud to include master classes with Broadway performers and opportunities to audition in front of casting directors and theaters from around the region. It's a perfect marriage of training and performance."

Scholarships may be available to students in need who are accepted into the program.

Adventure Theatre MTC Pre-Professional Program Auditions

New students are accepted into the program by audition only.

Auditions will be held on the following days and times:

• Saturday, June 14, 2014 (12:00-3:00 pm)

• Sunday, July 27, 2014 (12:00-3:00 pm)

• Thursday, August 21, 2014 (4:00-6:00 pm)

To schedule an audition slot, interested students should go to: http://www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org/academy/preprofessionalmusicaltheaterprogram.html. New students are required to submit an application, headshot, and resume along with a $35 non-refundable application fee.