Overview
High School Musical Theater Technique Intensive • June 22–26, 2026
Join us again for our popular Musical Theater Technique program! Actors will strengthen their musical theater skills while learning vocal techniques, characterization, choreography, and musicality in a well-rounded study of musical theater acting. In addition to learning group numbers, this Techniques week focuses on individual coaching and skill development.
Teaching artists from Acting For Young People (AFYP) and Mason Community Arts Academy will mentor performers in acting, dance, and singing techniques in this highly customized program. Technique Intensive will culminate in a final presentation on Friday, showcasing the skills developed throughout the week.
High School Musical Theater Audition Intensive • August 3–7, 2026
Join us again for our popular Musical Theater Audition program! Actors will strengthen their musical theater skills while learning vocal techniques, characterization, choreography, and musicality, with a special focus on preparing for musical theater auditions. Students will participate in dance workshops, audition coaching, and group work, discuss resumes and headshots, and more! Students will strengthen their audition pieces and gain confidence to prepare them for the audition environment.
Teaching artists from AFYP and Mason Community Arts Academy will mentor performers in acting, dance, and singing technique in small groups and one-on-one in this rigorous and fun program.
Students will also take a professional-quality headshot photo and will record their audition piece, for use in future applications and auditions. Digital files will be sent after the week is complete.
Audition Intensive will culminate in a final presentation on Friday, showcasing the skills developed throughout the week.
Program Details
Ages: 14–18
Dates:
Session 1: June 22–26, 2026 (Technique Intensive)
Session 2: August 3–7, 2026 (Audition Intensive)
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Tuition: $495
Early Bird Special: Register by May 15th for $5 off
Location: George Mason University Fairfax Campus, deLaski Performing Arts Building
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 or week, please consider if this program is the best choice for this summer.
Registration
June 22–26 (Technique Intensive)
August 3–7 (Audition Intensive)
Program Faculty
TBA
Program Directors
Kaity Ormesher
Manager of Outreach and Theater Programs
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Kaity holds a B.A. in Theater and an M.A. in Arts Management from George Mason University. Kaity has been a part of the Acting for Young People team since 2008, working as a teaching artist in after school, summer camp, and showcase programs, as well as stage managing for AFYP’s Musical and Advanced Showcase programs. As of 2022, Kaity has moved out of the classroom to fully focus on the day-to-day operations of the organization as the Manager of Outreach and Theater Programs for the Academy.
Kaity has an extensive background in the arts and education. In addition to her theatrical interests, she enjoys sketching, watercolor, and is an avid reader. Kaity has taught children ranging from early childhood through high school levels since 2008. In her time as a student at GMU, she participated in many stage productions as an actor, stage manager, and technician. Kaity served on the board for GMU’s producing group, the Mason Players, for three years, and co-founded GMU’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the theater honor fraternity. She received the Chris Parsons Achievement Award for her work with the theater department in 2010. Kaity has also worked professionally as a stage manager in the DC Metro Area. Kaity is the mother to twin girls. Kaity is passionate about the transformative experiences provided by arts education for people of all ages.
Mary Lechter
Executive Director of Mason Community Arts Academy
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Mary is Executive Director of Mason Community Arts Academy (MCAA) and served as MCAA’s Associate Director for 10 years. 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.
Mary founded Acting for Young People (AFYP) in 1997 and serves as Artistic Director. She has watched the company grow from being its only teacher with a sporadic program schedule in rented spaces to where it is today: an award-winning, year-round program with a full staff, working in conjunction with MCAA.
A graduate of University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Speech Communications, Mary has worked professionally as an actor on stage, screen and radio in the Metropolitan Washington area, Los Angeles, and New York. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association.
Mary has directed several of AFYP’s student showcase productions, the Mason Players’ productions of An Experiment With an Air Pump and Shakespeare in Hollywood, and several staged readings. She is also a casting consultant and co-producer of independent films.
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 summer group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least one week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Tuition can be paid in full or split into a two-payment installment plan for a one-time $10 fee. Half of the total tuition is due at the time of registration with the remaining balance automatically charged on May 1. Registrations processed after May 1 require full tuition payment upfront. All registrations are subject to a $3.00 processing fee per receipt.
- Limited scholarship funds are available for families in need of financial assistance. To apply, please visit: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/about-us/financial-aid/. For families in need of extended payment plan installment options, please contact the Academy at [email protected].
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at [email protected].
- For-credit programs only: A tuition refund minus a $125 cancelation fee will be given provided that notice is received by the Mason Community Arts Academy no later than one week before the program start date. No refunds will be granted after this date.