MUSICAL THEATRE INTENSIVE

July 29–August 16, 2013
Monday–Friday, 10 AM–5 PM

Cost: $825, plus taxes

The Arts Club’s Musical Theatre Intensive is entering its 12th year of bringing high-quality, professional training to young people with an interest in singing, dancing, and acting. Aimed at youth (ages 14–19) who are considering pursuing a theatre career, MTI exposes students to the kind of training that begins their journey toward becoming a true "triple threat" (actor/singer/dancer).

Professional instructors guide our students through voice, dance, and acting techniques, emphasizing process over product. We don’t just teach the notes of the song and the steps of the dance; we give our students the skills to
understand the story, interpret it, and communicate their thoughts.

Beyond the practical application of these skills in the theatre, our students go away from the program having discovered more self-confidence, more respect for the talents and opinions of their peers, and a greater engagement with the world around them.

We aren’t just teaching kids how to sing and dance; we are asking them to put aside their fears and doubts, to believe in themselves, and to act (on and off the stage) with passion and integrity. In other words, we aren’t just training performers—we are creating artists!

AUDITIONS
The Arts Club’s MTI is aimed at intermediate/advanced students between the ages of 14 and 19. Entrance into the program is by audition only. This year auditions will take place in May. To be considered for an audition please, forward a headshot and résumé to intensive@artsclub.com or call Peter Jorgensen at 604.773.6955 to book a time.

Applicants will be asked to perform one musical theatre song and one short monologue.

HIGHLIGHTS

• receive instruction from industry professionals
• intimate class size ensures lots of one-on-one attention
• private vocal coaching
• dance classes
• acting classes
• musical theatre performance classes
• students learn how to apply their skills to solos, duets, scene-work, and choreography
• tickets to two Arts Club musicals!
• meet other young people with similar aspirations and interests
• Q&A sessions with guest speakers from the professional theatre world
• final showcase to share your new skills with family and friends
• final reception for students, instructors, and guests

ALUMNI NEWS
The great thrill of this program is seeing our students moving on to greater and greater successes. Alumni of our program are now studying at top theatre schools around the world, including Sheridan University, The National Theatre School, Studio 58, Grant MacEwan University, UBC, AMDA, and LAMDA.

We are also now seeing the emergence of our alumni on professional stages around the country. The Chemainus Theatre Festival, Stage West Theatre in Calgary, Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, and of course the Arts Club have all had graduates of the Intensive onstage. Two notable alumni in 2013 are Kaylee Harwood, who is appearing at the Shaw Festival, and Kayla Dunbar, who will be playing Kate Monster in Avenue Q, right here at the Arts Club! Congratulations to all our amazing alumni!

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMS
Not quite ready to audition? We have a beginner-intermediate program for ages 12-17 that will run July 2nd-12th at the Surrey Arts Centre. Email the Surrey Arts Centre at arts@surrey.ca  for more information.

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Peter Jorgensen founded the Musical Theatre Intensive with the Arts Club in 2002. Through the program his passion for musical theatre has now been shared with hundreds of young people, many of whom are now beginning successful careers in theatre.

After graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, and working in and around the city for a few years, Peter returned home to Vancouver. He has performed for all the major theatre companies in BC, but many of his favourites were here at the Arts Club in productions such as Forever Plaid, Dames at Sea, Dirty Blonde, Beauty and the Beast, and especially She Loves Me—the show in which he met his wife, actress Katey Wright.

With Katey he now runs Patrick Street Productions, a company that focuses on contemporary musical theatre. With PSP he has directed Into the Woods, The Full Monty, Bat Boy: The Musical, and the multi-award winning The Light in the Piazza (Jessie and Ovation Awards for Outstanding Production). This summer Peter makes his Arts Club directing debut with Avenue Q.

When not working on a show, Peter is usually teaching. Aside from MTI, Peter teaches a History of Musical Theatre course at Capilano University, performance master classes around the province, and also teaches voice privately from his home in New Westminster. For more information, visit Peter online at www.peterjorgensen.com

Photos by David Cooper.

Generously supported by the Gerald and Sheahan McGavin Capital Grant to the Arts