TriArts Summer Youth Theatre Program

Paula Meyer returns to TriArts for her third season as director of the summer youth program in theater arts. This year's program includes two three-week sessions of Theatre Camp for ages 8-14, and a two-week evening Active Intensive workshop for teenagers.

• Theatre Camp will be held at the Sharon Center School, Route 44 in Sharon on July 1-20 and July 22-August 9; camp runs Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Because of the holiday closing on Thursday, July 4, there will be a special session on Saturday, July 20 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

The adult directors will lead acting exercises, theatre games, improvisation, scene rehearsals and group classes in both singing and dance/ movement. Specialty workshops will include make-up, costumes, lighting, and scene design. Days focusing on singing, acting and dancing are scheduled, using material from literature and Broadway musicals. At the end of camp the students will present a showcase performance on the stage of the Sharon Playhouse, featuring each camper’s theatrical achievements.

Director Paula Meyer has a degree in opera performance and has appeared on concert, operatic and musical theatre stages throughout North America, Europe and Russia. Ms. Meyer directs musical theatre programs for City Lights Youth Theatre in New York City and is an artist-in-residence for New York City schools. At TriArts, Ms Meyer co-directed Off the Wall and appeared as Gooch in Mame. Working with Ms. Meyer at Theatre Camp will be assistant director Deann Halper and musical director Kim Chirichella.

Tuition for the camps is $600 per session; scholarship assistance is available as well as discounts for enrollment in both sessions and for siblings.

• Acting Intensive workshop for teenagers will be held on August 5-16 at the Town Hill School, Route 112 in Lakeville, with sessions Monday through Friday from 6-9 p.m. This new workshop with directors Paula Meyer and Deann Halper will investigate all aspects of acting, from the inside out and the outside in. Students will explore audition monologues, try "cold" readings and rehearse scenes in a supportive and pleasant environment.

The focus will be on body work—the use of masks will be incorporated, as well as vocal expression, facial energy and entire body animation. From William Shakespeare to Neil Simon, from Monty Python to Tennessee Williams, this workshop is designed to introduce students to an array of techniques to enhance their skills in character development and script analysis. From beginning actors to the more advanced, everyone will learn something of value as they become "players on the stage." The session will conclude with a presentation of scenes and monologues at the Sharon Playhouse on Saturday, August 17.

Tuition for the Acting Intensive is $250; space is limited, so early registration is recommended. Tuition assistance and financial aid are available from TriArts, including the newly established Michael Busch Scholarship Fund for Youth at TriArts; the deadline for applications for financial assistance is May 1.

For more info call 860-614-0266, or visit <www.triarts.net>.