SUMMER ADVANCED ACTORS SHOWCASE
SUMMER 2022 INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY!
Fall Acting, Music & Visual Art Programming Registration Now Open! Explore Today >>
Join our email list to stay up to date on new class offerings
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
It is 416 BC. A civil war is raging across Greece and the small town of Mitsakopoulos has a big problem! But it’s not the war, it’s an argument over a grove of olive trees. The disagreement quickly escalates and takes over the whole town. The battle over the orchard reaches an absurd height when the Athenian and Spartan armies are called into the arena…er, olive grove.
In this Greek-style comedy where the olive trees have more common sense than the people, a town on the edge of revolt learns a valuable lesson about cooperation. Explore the foundations of Greek theatre and comedy in this world premiere play!
This unique and highly intensive program gives actors the experience of developing complex characters and performing a full-length production while receiving top-level training. Each actor will receive a role and will work as an ensemble to rehearse and record a full-length performance at the end of the week, to be shared digitally with family and friends after the program is complete. This program is always focused on the ensemble, meaning each actor is given time to shine on the stage.
THE OLIVE BRANCH
A world premiere play written and directed by
Lisa Nanni-Messegee and Todd Messegee
Explore the foundations of Greek theatre and comedy in this world premiere play! This unique and highly intensive program gives actors the experience of developing complex characters and performing a full-length production while receiving top-level training. Each actor will receive a role and will work as an ensemble to rehearse and record a full-length performance at the end of the week, to be shared digitally with family and friends after the program is complete. This program is always focused on the ensemble, meaning each actor is given time to shine on the stage.
WHAT TO EXPECT
On the first Monday we meet, our group of actors audition for roles in a play that they’ve never read. By the end of the day, they have begun developing characters and learning the blocking for the play. This continues through mid-week, along with focus on specialty skills that may be needed in the production (e.g. stage combat, choreography, etc.) By Thursday, the actors are running the show off-book and memorizing their material. By Friday, the ensemble is performing on stage, in a recorded performance! A digital copy of the performance will be shared with actors after the program is complete. This is a very advanced and exciting challenge for any actor!
Due to safety restrictions, space is extremely limited in each age group. Registering early is recommended.
Ages: 12 – 18
Dates: July 26 – 30, 2021
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (M-F)
Tuition: $425
Discounts: Register by June 5 for $10 off
Location: Mason Fairfax Campus, deLaski Performing Arts Building/Music Theater Building
*After Care not available for Summer 2021
Requirements
- CDC Recommended Face Mask
- Writing supplies: pencils, pens, and a notebook
Join our waitlist!
PROGRAM FACULTY
AFYP Director: Mary Lechter
Faculty at Mason’s School of Theater
Read about Ms. Lechter
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).
- Be sure to check our FAQs and policies and procedures regarding registration, safety protocols, curriculum, technology, and more for summer programs.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the program starts with all necessary details including camp schedule, supply list, web links, etc. For additional information, please contact mary.camp@afyp.org.
- Questions about parking on campus? Find answers here.
