Overview
High school performers will join Acting for Young People’s resident Improv experts for a week of comedy and creative thinking! Taking inspiration from classic improvisation styles and favorite theater games developed by organizations like The Second City, actors will learn in-depth techniques for world-building; for creating short and long-form improv; and to develop characters and story lines for sketch comedy and scene work. In addition to performing, students will experience directing a group of improvisors and learn to produce and market their own shows.
Space is extremely limited. Early registration is recommended.
Ages: 14-18
Dates:
Session 1: June 17 – 21, 2024
Session 2: July 29 – August 2, 2024
9 am – 4 pm
Tuition: $475
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, VA
Registration Commitment
Please note that full attendance in the program will offer the most enriching and educational experience. While we understand that summer schedules may require more flexibility than during the school year, these programs can have a lengthy waitlist(s). Many students wish to participate. By registering, you acknowledge that your student is planning to attend the entire program, barring illness or emergency. Should your student have significant conflicts during the camp day/week, please consider if this program is the best choice for this summer.
Session 1: June 17 – 21, 2024
Session 2: July 29 – August 2, 2024
Program Faculty
Additional Faculty Information Coming Soon!
Mary Lechter
MCAA Executive Director
School of Theater Faculty
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A graduate of University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Speech Communications, Mary has been working professionally as an actor in the metropolitan Washington-area, Los Angeles, and New York since 1985. She has worked at Washington area theaters including Theater of the First Amendment, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, and Source Theatre. Television, radio and film credits include ABC’s All My Children, Barry Levinson’s Avalon, Diesel Films’ Dracula’s Mother, the MGM/Lionsgate thriller Hit and Run, and several spots for NPR’s Morning Edition.
Mary founded AFYP in 1997, and has seen the company grow from being its only teacher with a sporadic program schedule in rented spaces to where it is today: a year-round program with a full staff, working in conjunction with Potomac Arts Academy, for which she is Associate Director.
She is a longtime member of Mason’s School of Theater faculty in the areas of Performance and Theater Education. She was named a 2013 “Teacher of Distinction” and was a 2014 TEDxGeorgeMasonU speaker (“Magic Moments: the Transformative Power of Theater“). She previously taught at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her professional memberships include The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actor’s Equity Association, and the Educational Theatre Association.
Mary’s directing credits include An Experiment with an Air Pump and Shakespeare in Hollywood (George Mason University); Still Beating Hearts and A Godless Man (Theater of the First Amendment First Light Festival); Happy Holidays, Charlie Brown, 101 Dalmatians, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play; Willy Wonka, Jr.; Peter Pan, Jr.; A Seussified Christmas Carol; Alice in Wonderland, Jr. (AFYP).
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Online registration closes Wednesday before the first class. For registrations received after this date, a $10 late registration fee may apply.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at academy@gmu.edu.