During this six-week program, students work with a professional creative team, focusing on the rehearsal and performance of a major musical theatre production with full design and technical support. Recent productions include Children of Eden, Carousel, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, and Aida.
Students in the musical theatre production participate in the following:
- Musical theatre production rehearsal, during which students and the creative team (director, choreographer, musical director and designers) prepare for a four performance run of the show.
- Private voice lessons
- Acting technique classes
- Theatre topics classes
Students perform in the 950-seat Corson Auditorium. The Harvey Theatre building provides additional rehearsal and classroom space. The musical theatre production is also supported by the resources of the Mallory Costume shop, which is home to an impressive 15,000 piece collection.
Guest Artists
Interlochen offers students the opportunity to study with some of the top artists and educators in the field. The theatre department regularly welcomes visiting artists. Recent guests include Anthony Rapp (Rent, Little Shop of Horrors), Barrett Foa (NCIS:LA, Avenue Q, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mamma Mia!), Kevin Chamberlin (Seussical, The Addams Family), Hunter Bell ([title of show])and Heather Headley (The Lion King, Aida).
Prerequisites
This program is designed for students with moderate to advanced experience in musical theatre.
How to Apply
- Prepare the materials listed below
- Complete the online application
- Submit your audition materials online.
Required Materials
- Video file #1: Two 16-bar excerpts from two different songs from standard musical theatre repertoire with piano accompaniment. One excerpt should be from an up-tempo song, and one should come from a ballad or slow song. One excerpt should be a song from the classic musical theatre repertoire (prior to 1960) and one from the contemporary musical theatre repertoire (after 1960).
- Video file #2: Briefly talk about your interest in musical theatre and your reasons for applying to the six or three week program followed by one monologue of your choice no longer than two minutes (from a published play or musical).
- Video file #3: One one-minute sample of movement or dance. The selection should be representative of skill-level (include pirouettes, jumps and any type of acrobatic movements).
- PDF file #1: A résumé or summary covering your past theatre experiences.
When You Arrive at Interlochen
There will be another round of auditions at the beginning of camp to cast specific roles within the production. The production will be announced in Spring 2013.
Additional Opportunities
Interlochen also offers a three-week musical theatre workshop summer program, and a one-week musical theatre intensive.
Students interested in scenery, costumes, lighting, stage management, etc. are invited to apply for the six-week theatre design and production program.
Interlochen is also home to the Arts Academy boarding high school, which offers a theatre major for grades 9-12, as well as a post-graduate year.
Faculty
William Church
Director of Theatre Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts
Artistic Director, Interlochen Shakespeare Festival
Lynne Church
Instructor of Theatre Arts, High School Musical Theatre Production and Musical Theatre Intensive
Performed the role of "Carlotta" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera in Toronto; currently maintains private vocal studios in Traverse City and New York City.
Rick Church
Music Director/Conductor, High School Musical Theatre Production and Musical Theatre Intensive
Conductor and Musical Director at Elon University; private voice instructor and vocal coach in New York City
Greg Hellems
Director/Choreographer, High School Musical Theatre Production and Musical Theatre Intensive, Interlochen Arts Camp
Associate Professor of Acting and Musical Theatre at Wright State University
