Aurora Theatre Offers Summer Programs, Intensives & Camp For Students

With the end of school upon us, Aurora Theatre reminds parents that it is not too late to enroll in our second year of 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. We still have scholarship money available to help offset the cost participation in Aurora Academy's Summer Programs. Recognizing the importance of these great programs, Aurora Academy has received support from The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation and Kiwanis Club of Suwanee, GA.

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. What sets us apart from other summer drama camps is 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.

Camp Aurora For Rising 1st - 5th Grade Students

Camp Aurora is about using stories, singing, puppets, games, imagination, and fun to teach theatre skills. These half-day sessions will work to develop the skills necessary to be a great communicator and nurture a love of performing. Camps culminate in an exciting performance.

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 a showcase 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.

2009 SUMMER SESSIONS

CAMP AURORA (rising 1st-5thgrades)

FAIRYTALE FUN June 8-12

SUPER STORYTELLERS July 20-24

One week, Half-day sessions, 9am-12noon, Cost: $175.00

AURORA ACADEMY SUMMER INTENSIVE

SUMMER STARMAKER (rising 6th-12thgrades)

Session 1: June 15-26 weekdays, Session 2: July 6-17 weekdays

Two-week, 10-4pm, Cost: $475.00

THE ACTING EDGE (rising 6th-12thgrades)

Session 1: June 15-26 weekdays, Session 2: July 6-17 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 deposit of $100.00 is required.

MEET THE AURORA ACADEMY FACULTY

SUMMER 2009

Ricardo Aponte

(Dance Instructor Middle & High School Students)

Ricardo is a local choreographer for the Atlanta professional theater community as well as for many High Schools in the region. Theatre credits include: Zanna Don't & The Great American Trailer Park (Actor's Express), Speech and Debate (Theatre in the Square), Altar Boyz (Horizon Theatre), Valhalla (Essential Theater), Annie Get Your Gun Guys and Dolls, The Dinosaur Musical, Camelot & Lucky Stiff (Aurora Theatre), Godspell & Little Shop of Horrors* ( Suzi nominated-best choreography-Atlanta Lyric Theater), The 70th Anniversary of the Highland Playhouse in NC, among other productions. Ricardo's work was recognized by the Sunday Paper for his accomplishments in 2006-2007.

Ricardo began his dance training at an early age from academies such as the Atlanta Ballet, Dance Devotion and Dance 101. He has had the fortune to teach for over 15 schools in GA and has just completed his 3rd year at Applause For Kids, a musical theater based after school program in Buckhead.

Mary Nye Bennett

(Acting Instructor For All 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 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 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 back in Georgia she played Darzee in Rikki Tikki Tavi and Carlotta in The Dinosaur Musical, both at the Aurora Theatre. Mary can be seen this summer At Onstage Atlanta's production of The Wild Party.

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 - among them: 'Wonderful Town' and 'Once Upon A Mattress' (Actor's Express); 'Funny Girl' and 'Hello, Muddah, Hello, Fadduh' (JTS); 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' (Horizon Theatre Co. and Theatre Decatur); 'The Rocky Horror Show' (GPC); 'Grand Hotel' and 'Nunsense' (Neighborhood Playhouse); 'I Do, I Do' (Aurora Theatre); and the local premiere and '08 revival of 'Urinetown' and 'The Kiss of the Spider Woman' (Onstage Atlanta), to name just a few. He's also enjoyed musical-directing and playing cabarets for The Lyric Theatre, Onstage Atlanta, and Actor's Express.

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. Before returning to Atlanta, he also found time to teach theatre audition classes at Turtle Bay Music School (NYC), in several performing arts high schools and colleges in the New York area, accompanied at the Manhattan School of Music, and kept busy voice studios at Theatre Opera and Music Institute and Carnegie Hall.

Jessie Dean

(Improv Comedy Instruction Middle & High School Students, Acting Instructor Elementary School Students)

Jessie is a graduate of Oglethorpe University with a degree in theatre and was the first Oglethorpe student to receive an acting internship with the Georgia Shakespeare Festival. She has been teaching, acting, and directing in Atlanta ever since! Jessie founded her own theatre company: Relativity Theatre Concern, yet has worked with many professional companies in Atlanta, including Dad's Garage, the Alliance, Actor's Express, Theatre Gael, Aurora Theatre, and the Horizon. One of her favorite roles was playing a French showgirl at Aurora Theatre in Lucky Stiff. This fall, Jessie is looking forward to beginning an MFA program at Illinois State University.

Kati Grace "KG" Morton

(Shakespeare & Classical Acting Instruction Middle & High School Students)

KG moved to Atlanta in the Summer of 2007 after completing her B.A. in Musical Theatre from Emory & Henry College in Virginia. Since her arrival in Atlanta she has completed an apprenticeship at the Atlanta Shakespeare Company where she continues to work as an actor and teaching artist. Other theatres KG has been privileged to work with are Barter Theatre (VA), Flat Rock Playhouse (NC), Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Program, Academy Theatre, Fabrefaction Theatre Company, and Working Title Playwrights.

Tiffany Porter

(Shakespeare & Classical Acting Instruction Middle & High School Students)

Tiffany is a new Atlanta resident and holds a BFA in Professional Acting Training from the School of Theatre and Dance at East Carolina University. She moved to Atlanta, GA two years ago after being accepted into the 2007-2008 Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern Apprentice Company. She is now a company member, actor and Education Artist doing workshops with students across the metro Atlanta area and beyond. Shakespeare Tavern credits include Antony and Cleopatra, Midsummer Night's Dream, and Twelfth Night. Tiffany directed her first summer camp in 2001 with the Rag Bag Players in Trinity, NC and is thrilled to be back sharing her love for acting and Shakespeare with the Aurora Theatre.

For registration and more information:

Susan Reid
Director of Education
678-226-6226
susan@auroratheatre.com

Aurora Theatre
128 Pike Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
678-226-6222
www.auroratheatre.com

Photos are from Aurora Academy Summer Showcase 2008
Photo Credit: Aurora Theatre