Categories
Acting

Musical Theater Programs Kick Off Summer Arts Online

The Musical Theater programs kick off Summer Arts at Mason Online in the week of June 15-19. Young actors and vocalists, ages 7-18 will join us for a week of interactive, engaging programming online from their homes.

“While we wish we could see our students in person, we’re very excited about the opportunity to bring these new versions of our traditional summer programs, and to try out new ones, in the online environment,” said Mary Lechter, associate director of the Academy and director of Acting for Young People.

 

 

For young actors, ages 7-11, the Summer Musical Theater Showcase will take place in the morning from 9 a.m. to noon. The program will include vocal training, choreography practice, and acting techniques, all packed in three hours each day. Students will learn new songs and movement and develop their stage presence with teaching artists and coaches.

 

Students singing on stage at summer camp

 

The Summer Musical Theater Intensive is designed for more experienced actors and vocalists in ages 12-18. The program will take place in the afternoon from 1-4 p.m. A traditionally performance-focused program, this Intensive will expand its course offerings to include sessions on auditions and business to bring a well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of the musical theater profession to the program’s young artists.

“Students will receive a mix of live-streamed interactive classes, individualized and group learning, and enriching video resources, all taught by the same experienced, professional faculty,” said Ms. Lechter.

 

Both camps are taught by esteemed teaching artists: Ahmad Matty, choreographer, and Jackie Salvador, vocal coach. Each day, the instructors will lead the group focusing on theatrical technique development for choreography, voice, and acting.

 

Ahmad Maaty Acting LessonsMr. Maaty is a professional actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, and Mason School of Theater faculty. He has appeared in several theater productions in the Washington, D.C. area. He is AFYP’s musical theater director and choreographer for summer acting camps and all showcase programs. Mr. Maaty is the receipt of the BroadwayWorld’s Regional 2019 Award for Best Actor in Community Theater Production.

 

Ms. Salvador is a Mason School of Music alumna, who made her Off-Broadway debut with Atlantic Theatre in their production of “James and the Giant Peach.” Her stage performance including an assortment of musical theater characters. She is expected to provide the voice of “Dorothy Hess” in the upcoming fictional podcast “The 8th Light.”

 

Both programs are open for registration. For program details, including sample daily schedule and technology requirements, visit Musical Theater Showcase (Ages 7-11) or Musical Theater Intensive (Ages 12-18).

 

 

Full Camp List

Categories
Acting Music

Faculty Leverage Technology in Distance Learning

Since March, the Academy has shifted to completely online instruction to do our part in the global effort to combat COVID-19 and to keep our students, families, teachers, and administrators safe. Our faculty responded to the sudden transition by transforming all of their teaching to a digital format, letting their creativity shine through this new media, despite new challenges. Today, we are showcasing four ways our Academy faculty has incorporated technology in their instructions to maintain their connection with their students and enhance the experience in new ways.

 

Acting Faculty Brings Showcase Rehearsals Online
“The Lion King Jr.” cast members have already accomplished stage reading, choreography practice, and blocking with Acting for Young People teaching staff–in just three weeks.

To transition rehearsals online, Showcase Director and Mason Theater Professor Mary Lechter and Senior Teaching Artist Ahmad Maaty are spearheading the effort to explore methods that will provide students with an enriching online theater experience. Acting teaching staff have been all hands on deck researching technology, testing new ideas, and creating supplemental resources to keep students engaged on and offline.

“We are so happy to provide connection and community for our students during these unusual times,” said Ms. Kaity Cookson Ormesher, showcase teaching artist. “Parents and students have been enthusiastic and flexible as we try new online options, and have repeatedly expressed how much they appreciate the consistency during this strange time. We are learning new methods for teaching alongside our students as they learn new methods for learning!”

 

Saxophone Instructor Ariel Williams Provides Performance Opportunity
Starting in March, many arts organizations have canceled competitions and concerts. As a result, students are missing the opportunity to showcase their talents and to gain musical experience. Ms. Ariel Williams added new teaching components for her students to receive extra instruction, such as listening assignments and juried video performance.

“The state band association, VBODA, canceled its solo and ensemble festival that most of my students participated in previously,” said Ms. Williams. “To provide my students with something to compensate for their loss, I am having all of my students send me videos of their best performance of their pieces. I give them comments just like they would have received at the solo and ensemble festival.”

 

Violin Teaching Artist Claire Allen Converts Studio Recital to YouTube Videos
Ms. Claire Allen was in the middle of preparing her studio to give a recital at the end of March, but had to create a new format in just two weeks as the state began social distancing measures. She presented her studio recital in a series of YouTube videos that were linked in a PDF program. Students dressed in formal concert attire, practiced recital etiquette, and recorded their best performance from their homes.

Ms. Allen said the planning and coordination was challenging but rewarding. The process began with seeking recordings from pianists and distributing the audio files among her students. Then, students were filmed performing along with pre-recorded accompaniments and sent their video links to Ms. Allen.

“It wasn’t without some technical glitches and stress along the way, as we were all trying to simultaneously come to terms with our new reality while maintaining our performance preparation routine,” said Ms. Allen. “In the end, it became a wonderful way for our students and their families to create a space in their homes for performance and to invite everyone in! Some of the families sent photos of themselves as an audience watching the performance videos and sent wonderful feedback to their fellow performers.”

 

Piano Teaching Artist Faith Zúñiga Mentors Students for NVMTA Sonata Festival
The annual Sonata Festival, hosted by Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association, is changing to an online performance competition this year. Teaching Artists Faith Zúñiga is preparing her students for their video submissions.

With music lessons offered via video calls, students and instructors are gaining experience for performing on camera in preparation for virtual music festivals. Coaching her students for the competition, Ms. Zúñiga encourages her students to elevate their musicianship by learning more challenging music.

“I most enjoy seeing my students becoming more confident and proud of their achievements,” said Ms. Zúñiga. “They learn that hard work pays off, and they can play that difficult piece well!”

Categories
Acting

Acting Fun Challenges

Discover your acting potential and create fun memories with family or friends while at home. Our Acting for Young People staff provides a new challenge each week for your next game time, movie night, or pajama dance party. Share your experience and be sure to tag the Academy and AFYP on Facebook or Instagram with #AFYPforFunChallenge.

 

Challenge #1: The Hand-wash Song
Did you wash your hands today? CDC recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, and we are looking for the catchiest 20-second song from “Lion King.” Sing, record, and share with us on social media with #AFYPWashesOurHands.

 

Challenge #2: Listen to A Musical
Listen to a musical that you haven’t heard before and imagine the story told through songs. Share with us your thoughts with #AFYPforFunChallenge. Here are some musicals to begin with:

  • Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
  • Tarzan
  • Sound of Music
  • Xanadu
  • The Wiz
  • White Christmas
  • My Fair Lady
  • Seussical
  • Frozen
  • Anastasia
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Mary Poppins

 

Challenge #3: Theater Games for Everyone
These fun theater games will make you move your body and think creatively. Be sure to share with us fun photos and videos on social media with #AFYPforFunChallenge or via email at academy@gmu.edu.

Zip-Zap-Zop—In a circle, send the energy by pointing at another person. The first sender says “Zip,” the next person says “Zap,” and the next says “Zop.” The cycle starts over. Find your rhythm and see if you can speed up without messing up the words.

What Are You Doing?—The first person acts out an everyday action without any words or noises, such as baking a cake or walking a dog. The next person asks “What are you doing?” The first person tells them anything other than the action they are doing, such as “I’m playing baseball.” The questioner must pantomime that action. Level up by going unusual or silly actions, such as “I am wrestling an alligator,” or “I’m walking on the moon.”

2-/3-/4-Headed Monster—This monster knows all the answers to any question, but each head can only say one word at a time. The goal is to create a logical answer although not necessarily true!

  • Example Question: Why is the sky blue?
  • Head 1: Because
  • Head 2: the
  • Head 1: ink
  • Head 2: spilled
  • Head 1: everywhere.

Press Conference—One person leaves the room. The rest of the players decide which famous person they are. When the “celebrity” returns, the other players ask questions that contain clues until the “celebrity” can guess who they are. The “celebrity” still needs to answer the questions (or make up answers) while they are trying to guess.

 

Challenge #4: Create Something
Create something—a painting, a dance, decorate a cake, make shadow puppets, design a costume, etc—inspired by a song from a musical. Be sure to share what you create and the title of the song that inspired you!

Categories
Acting

Teacher Workday Workshops Announced for Nov. 4 & 5

Students who enjoy creative writing, acting, singing, or dancing will love these one-day theater workshops! Acting for Young People, the Academy’s theater division, announces this school year’s Student Holiday Workshops for families of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties.

Students will explore theater through specific themes such as playwriting, acting, improvisation, choreography, and musical theater.

 

 

The workshops consist of two age groups, 5-9 and 10-14, and will run from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Each workshop costs $45 per person. This fall’s programming includes:

  • Building A Character (Monday, November 4): The workshop will focus on character analysis and interpretations via voice, acting, and movement.
  • Play-In-A-Day (Tuesday, November 5): Students will learn the structure of scriptwriting and build exciting stories via character and plot development.

 

 

The workshops are open for all students with no prior theater experience necessary. To learn more about the workshops, visit: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/acting/holiday/

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STUDENT HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS

Categories
Acting

Acting Camps Build Confidence, Focus, and Creativity

Our weekly acting camps (June 24-July 26) introduce theater/acting skills, movement and voice, story-telling, and characterization to students ages 5-18 of all experience levels while building confidence, creativity, and focus.

Directed by George Mason University Professor Mary Lechter from Mason School of Theater, the acting camps provide professional theater experts and performers from Acting for Young People to instruct the students. Located on the Mason Fairfax campus in Fairfax, VA (in the Washington, DC Metro area), the camps takes place in the Performing Arts Building. All actors will participate in final presentations in the Theater Space.

 

 

Each day, the students will participate in various interactive sessions, such as acting, movement and voice, and special electives (playwriting, acting for the camera, improvisation, and musical theater). Fun theater games are played throughout the day, fostering social engagement and friendships. Each week offers a new experience by introducing a special theme:

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The students will also have the opportunity to participate in special workshops, such as creating Shakespearean tweets, building props from recycled materials, and learning about different aspects of stage management and theatrical design.

 

Students at Summer Acting Camp

 

“Our traditional acting camp is good for everyone,” said Zach Wilcox, AFYP program coordinator. “Whether you are an experienced actor or you’ve never acted in your life, any student can learn something new at Acting Camp. Our teachers are truly top-notch, caring, and dedicated.”

 

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

 

The Academy will be closed for Spring Break beginning Monday, March 25 and will re-open on Monday, April 1. We will be operating with limited hours. For any urgent requests, please call 703-993-9889.

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