Berkeley Rep Announces Summer Programs

This summer, as Berkeley Repertory Theatre welcomes the lush love songs of George Gershwin and the bittersweet marriage of true minds between Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell, Berkeley Rep's School of Theatre has announced a new slate of classes that people of all ages will love. Whether nurturing a lifelong commitment to theatre or just looking for a summer fling, students this season can fine-tune their skills in acting, directing, writing, and even flirting, under the guidance of Bay Area arts professionals.

"It's an incredible summer for theatre lovers at Berkeley Rep, both on our stages and in our classrooms," remarks Rachel Fink, director of the School of Theatre. "We are proud to announce several new offerings for adults to hone their craft and explore new creative avenues with classes like Director's Hot House, Taking it to the Street: Ancient Art in a Modern World, Shakespeare for Singles, and The Lost Art of Letter Writing: Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. In addition, the Summer Theatre Intensive is an amazing opportunity for teens that should not be missed."

The 6-week summer session, which begins on July 1, features the following activities:

· Classes for kids and teens include Make it a Melodrama!..."The Amargosa Story," and Performance Workshop: Potter Plays for kids as well as a teen Improvisation class.

· Performance classes for adults include Acting (beginning through advanced), Acting Shakespeare, and Shakespeare for Singles, as well as both On-Camera and Voice-over Acting. The session also includes two courses in improvisation.

· Physical theatre and Voice classes for adults include Acting Violence: Unarmed Combat; Alexander Technique and Linklater Voice; Contact Improvisation Fundamentals; Physical Comedy; and Voice for Business Professionals.

· Writing and Directing classes for adults include Directing Plays in Innovative Places; Director's Hot House; Lost Art of Letter Writing: Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop; Make a Short Film; Summer Playwriting Workshop; and Taking it to the Street: Ancient Art in a Modern World. One-on-one audition coaching and private voice lessons are available as well.

Plus, the Summer Theatre Intensive provides a fun-filled, enriching, affordable camp for teens - right here in Berkeley. Participants work with master teachers to learn theatrical techniques such as acting and improvisation. They also choose from electives such as hip-hop, musical theatre, and playwriting. In a process that mirrors the method that Berkeley Rep applies to develop new plays, students work with professional playwrights such as Gary Graves, Krista Knight, Alex Moggridge, Dael Orlandersmith, and Daniel Talbott to adapt their own original work. Those shows are performed for an invited audience on one of the Theatre's renowned stages.

With different sessions for different ages, the Summer Theatre Intensive offers a rare opportunity for youth to open their imaginations:

· The first session, for students entering grades 6-8, takes place on weekdays from June 17 through July 12.

· The second session, for teens in grades 9-12, is held July 16 through August 9.

Tuition is $1,150 for session 1 and $1,250 for session 2. A limited number of financial-aid scholarships are available. The only requirements are an open mind, an imagination, and a desire to collaborate, work hard, and, of course, have fun.

Additionally, teens can take advantage of the Teen Actors Studio. Advanced high-school students will work with international professional director Jeffrey Bihr and mount a production at Berkeley Rep. Admission is by audition, and tuition is $800. Don't miss this terrific course for talented teens, which runs from June 24 through July 6.

In addition to theatre training for individuals, the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre is committed to working with local schools and community members to reinforce arts education as a community value and an integral part of the cultural fabric. By providing access and opportunities for participation in the arts, Berkeley Rep uses theatre as a means to challenge, thrill, and galvanize what is best in the human spirit. Major support for the School of Theatre's education programs is provided by JPMorgan Chase and Target Corporation.

For more information about classes at Berkeley Rep - or affordable outreach programs for local schools - call (510) 647-2972, e-mailschool@berkeleyrep.org, or visit berkeleyrep.org/school. The School is also on social media - visit twitter.com/berkrepschool or follow @BerkRepSchool. Courses in the summer session are offered in two downtown Berkeley locations - Berkeley Rep's School of Theatre, next door to the Thrust Stage at 2071 Addison Street and at The Arts Passage at Berkeley Central located on 2055 Center Street in downtown Berkeley. Financial aid is available for youth and teens.

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