Almost there… Click here to see our 2023 Summer Studio offerings!
Spend the Summer with Hartford Stage!
Pippin and Singin’ in the Rain Jr. on Stage
By Erin Rose, Education Enrollment and Marketing Coordinator
There’s no business like show business this summer at Hartford Stage Youth Studio!
Now in its 5th year at Hartford Stage, this popular program invites students ages 3 to 19 to explore the excitement and drama of live theatre over the course of their 1-week, 2-week, 4-week or 5-week program.
Back by popular demand is our Teen Musical program, in which students aged 14-19 will be cast in a full-length musical production of the show Pippin, which they will perform live at Hartford Stage itself. Students will spend their days becoming true triple threats – acting, singing and dancing up a storm – all while acting as mentors for some of our younger students. The Teen Musical class runs from July 10 – August 11, with performances on August 11 and 12.
In the 4-week Summer Studio Youth Ensemble, students aged 9 – 15 will be cast in either a musical or non-musical production. This summer’s productions harken back to the golden age of entertainment, with the classical Hollywood musical Singin’ in the Rain Jr. and the hilariously haphazard hauntings of The Canterville Ghost , told in the style of an old-time radio play. Students spend mornings rehearsing and afternoons exploring elective classes of their choice. Previous elective classes have included Musical Theatre Cabaret, Shakespeare, Commedia dell’Arte and Technical Theatre. Once a week, the Youth Ensemble enjoys a field trip together, including an optional trip into New York to Hartford Stage’s own production of Anastasia on Broadway. Youth Ensemble runs from July 10 through August 4, with additional performances on August 5. Later in August, students ages 9-15 can also participate in the One-Act Play class, which runs from August 7 – 18. In this program, young actors will hone their skills with training in the basics of acting and improvisation, working toward the production of a one-act play.
For our youngest students, aged 3 to 5 (who have not yet entered kindergarten), the week-long Day Dreamers program invites children to explore their imaginations through a half-day of creative movement, music, story theatre, and puppet play. Day Dreamers is offered in three sessions: July 10 – 14, July 17-21 and July 24-28. Students are welcome to register for one, two, or all three sessions.
For children ages 5 to 8 who have already completed kindergarten, Hartford Stage offers both the Children’s Cast and Bookends programs. In Children’s Cast, students will take classes in story theatre, creative movement, music, puppetry, and arts and crafts, and go on a weekly field trip. Previous field trips have included the Connecticut Science Center, Auerfarm and a field day in nearby Elizabeth Park. Each session ends in a mini-production that the cast creates based on favorite stories and characters. Children’s Cast takes place in two 2-week sessions: July 10–21 and July 24–August 4. In Bookends, students explore literature from summer reading lists through acting, musical theatre, creative movement and arts and crafts. The 1-week program also takes place in two sessions: August 7-11 and August 14-18.
With early drop-off, late pick-up, payment plans, and scholarship opportunities available, it is Hartford Stage’s goal to make sure all of our education programs are within the reach of all families. Summer Studio welcomes young people with all levels of experience – from the curious, timid beginner to the confident young star-to-be!
For more information on Youth Summer Studio programs, call (860) 520-7244 or learn more and register online.
