I really feel like you can open your wings and be anything,
but most importantly I felt safe to be myself.
-Student
Students learn that theatre is more than memorizing lines and remembering blocking; it is a way to change the world as we know it. If you join us, you will be asked to think about every step throughout the theatrical process, from what you are saying, to how you are saying it - but most importantly why. This is the beginning of activist art.
While you sharpen your performance skills in acting, dance and voice, you will explore the power of art to create social change. After four weeks of classes, students take the Penumbra stage to perform an original play about the issues that matter most to them.
NEW STUDENTS
(application required)
Make a difference in your community; learn about activist art at Summer Institute! Learn the basics of acting, take high energy dance courses, learn about the African American contribution to theatre and make new and lasting friendships during our four week program! | RETURNING STUDENTS
(application and audition required)
Come back for another summer and reconnect with friends, expand your craft and continue to work with professional artists, including Artistic Director Lou Bellamy! | | Acting I introduces the essential parts of the actor's toolbox: vocal projection, enunciation, and body and breath control. | Acting II focuses on the delivery of monologues. | African-based Movement I is a high-energy workout where you will use dance to build community, strength and confidence.
| African-based Movement II will push you to create personal expressions for performance using West African dance gestures. | | Arc of Theatre traces the African American contribution to theater and its development as a contemporary art form. | Music Element II helps you prepare a musical selection for audition purposes. | Art with Intent teaches you how to use your creativity and passion for the arts to promote social change in your own communities.
| Scene Work II focuses on the architecture of a scene. You will refine the practice of ensemble acting learned in the beginning track. | Music Element I explores African American music while you learn fundamental craft skills for performance.
| Seminar stimulates critical thinking skills as you consider your own identities in relation to various representations and stereotypes. | | Scene Work I lays the groundwork for ensemble acting, a founding principal of Penumbra Theatre's artistic style. | Political Theatre examines how artists have used performance as a tool to organize, inspire, educate and lead communities toward social change. | | Performance Element allows you to demonstrate your
practice of activist art with thedevelopment of an original, ensemble
art piece that students perform on Penumbra's stage! | Performance Element will give you the opportunity to
work directly with the founder and Artistic Director of Penumbra
Theatre Company, Lou Bellamy. Bellamy will direct original scenes
created by the ensemble and work with you on a professional monologue
that strives to meet Penumbra Theatre's standard of excellence for
performance.
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ELECTIVE COURSES FOR ALL STUDENTS
Select two (2) electives from the following:
Capoeira is an intensive course that combines dance and martial arts in an elegant and athletic expression of movement.
Improvisation gives you the opportunity to explore the many possibilities for play and creativity within theatre.
Jazz and Modern Dance acquaints you with the African American roots in vaudeville, swing and other popular dance movements.
Musical Theatre is a course where you can try your hand at the triple threat: singing, acting and dancing.
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