NEW! South Milwaukee Youth Theatre Virtual Theatre Academy 2020 (VTA2020)
South Milwaukee Youth Theatre is excited to announce our Virtual Theatre Academy (VTA2020)! Due to COVID19 social distancing requirements, we’re unable to have in-person auditions, rehearsals or full-scale musical performances this summer. However, we’re excited to provide a Virtual Theatre Academy experience (VTA2020) for students aged 6-11 and 12-18. Our staff is looking forward to working with students in creative new ways to help them learn and stay socially connected. The purpose of VTA2020 is to educate, uplift, challenge and engage participants. All classes will be ONLINE and will focus on age-appropriate theatre-related activities, including acting, singing, dancing, workshops and more. Scroll down for course descriptions and details.
JUNIORS (Students 6-11 years old)
July 6- July 30, 2020
Class times: ONLINE Monday-Thursday at 4:00 pm. For privacy reasons, we do not plan to record all of the classes for on-demand viewing. However, some classes may be recorded if they are primarily tutorial-style or feature a guest instructor.
Class description: Class topics and durations will vary from day to day. Class times may be short, from 10-15 minutes, or they may be longer, but no more than 30-45 minutes. Follow-up projects and assignments that students can do at home may also be given. Projects and assignments will be age appropriate and may require some supervision from parents or family members. Attending all classes and completing all projects is encouraged, but not required. SMYT staff will provide clear instructions for all participants. When possible, project materials will be items that can readily be found at home.
Program fees: $89.00 per participant for SM residents. $99.00 per participant for non-residents. (We’re holding to last year’s fees since our program costs will be similar to that of a full-scale musical production, but without any ticket revenues to help offset the fees.)
Juniors VTA2020 Google Calendar
Sample Course Descriptions
Courses below are samples of content that may be included in the program. Since this is a brand new program, topics are still being developed and final class descriptions will be published on the VTA2020 website.
- What is Musical Theatre? An overview of musical theatre as an art form, who is involved and how it works.
- Virtual Theatre Tour: Take a virtual tour of the theatre!
- Let’s Sing! A musical revue of popular songs including songs from Disney’s Frozen. Students will learn how to prepare their voice, sing with good tone, and vocally project their song(s) from the Frozen Revue. Students will get 5-10 minutes of 1 on 1 instruction with Mr. Bill outside of the 4-5p time frame each week.
- Let’s Dance! A fun and engaging approach to learning about dance.
- Acting Workshop: Practice using different voices, reading from a script and moving while speaking.
- Theatre Games: Interactive games that are designed to help build understanding, teamwork and respect.
- Costume Workshop: Learn about costume-making and assemble a costume.
- Make-up Workshop: Learn about theatrical make-up and how to apply it.
- Props Workshop: Acquire or construct a prop that may be used in a future SMYT musical production.
- Stagecraft Workshop: Learn about set design and construction, and the basics of lighting and sound.
- All About Me! Learn how to tell a short, personal story and create a biography.
- Attract an Audience: Learn how to attract and audience and make a poster
SENIORS (Students 12-18 years old)
July 6 – July 30, 2020
Class times: ONLINE Monday-Thursday at 5:00 pm. For privacy reasons, we do not plan to record all of the classes for on-demand viewing. However, some classes may be recorded if they are primarily tutorial-style or feature a guest instructor.
Class description: Class topics and durations will vary from day to day. Class times may be short, from 10-15 minutes, or they may be longer, but no more than 30-45 minutes. Follow-up projects and assignments that students can do at home may also be given. Projects and assignments will be age appropriate and may require some supervision from parents or family members. Attending all classes and completing all projects is encouraged, but not required. SMYT staff will provide clear instructions for all participants. When possible, project materials will be items that can readily be found at home.
Program fees: $89.00 per participant for SM residents. $99.00 per participant for non-residents. (We’re holding to last year’s fees since our program costs will be similar to that of a full-scale musical production, but without any ticket revenues to help offset the fees.)
Seniors VTA2020 Google Calendar
VTA2020 for SENIORS Overview
The Virtual Theatre Academy for Seniors will be primarily an Actors Workshop Series that will culminate in the creation of an actor’s portfolio. Students will read, analyze and perform scripts that are appropriate for auditions, forensics competitions, and performances. They will get to virtually meet one-on-one with the director and assistant director who will coach them on cold-reading, blocking, projection, diction, articulation, and other essential theatrical skills. Students will also get to work with a singing coach and a dancing coach to create additional material for their portfolio. Some of the material will be from Disney’s Moana.
VTA2020 for SENIORS Course Syllabus
Week 1: Comedic Monologues & Performing “How Far I’ll Go”
Monday: Students will get to read through Comedic Monologues and pick a monologue they will get to workshop one-on-one with a director this week.
Tuesday: Students will practice singing “How Far I’ll Go” with a video of Ms. Horstmann teaching the song. By the following Monday, students will submit a video of them singing all or part of the song and receive feedback from Ms. Horstmann on how to improve.
Wednesday: Students will dance and learn choreography to “How Far I’ll Go.”
Thursday: Students will hear from a Guest Speaker and ask questions related to theatre.
Week 2: Dramatic Monologues & Performing “You’re Welcome”
Monday: Students will get to read through Dramatic Monologues and pick a monologue they will get to workshop one-on-one with a director this week.
Tuesday: Students will practice singing “You’re Welcome” with a video of Ms. Horstmann teaching the song. By the following Monday, students will submit a video of them singing all or part of the song and receive feedback from Ms. Horstmann on how to improve.
Wednesday: Students will dance and learn choreography to “You’re Welcome.”
Thursday: Students will hear from a Guest Speaker and ask questions related to theatre.
Week 3: Duo (Two-Person) Comedic or Dramatic Scenes & Performing “Shiny”
Monday: Students will get to read through Comedic and Dramatic Duo scenes, pick a partner, and pick a scene they will get to workshop one-on-one with a director.
Tuesday: Students will practice singing “Shiny” with a video of Ms. Horstmann teaching the song. By the following Monday, students will submit a video of them singing all or part of the song and receive feedback from Ms. Horstmann on how to improve.
Wednesday: Students will dance and learn choreography to “Shiny.”
Thursday: Students will hear from a Guest Speaker and ask questions related to theatre.
Week 4: Performing their Choice Scenes and Songs
Monday: Students will start to create their portfolio. In their portfolio, students will have a video of their comedic scene, dramatic scene, and a video of them performing a song of their choice from “Moana.” They will work one-on-one with a director this week on their acting scenes for their portfolio
Tuesday: Students will select one of three songs that they want included in their portfolio: “How Far I’ll Go,” “You’re Welcome,” or “Shiny.” Students will submit a video of them singing ALL of the song and receive feedback from Ms. Horstmann for what to include in the video for their portfolio.
Wednesday: Students will practice dancing for whichever song they picked to sing. The video of them dancing and singing that song will appear in their portfolio.
Thursday: Students will submit their portfolio and share their portfolio with other students.
SMPAC Summer South Milwaukee Youth Theatre (SMYT) creates a safe, respectful and collaborative environment. Students learn values and life skills of teamwork, confidence, honesty, kindness, perseverance and responsibility through the production of high-quality performances. SMYT is an introductory program for kids to try out theatre and have fun.
Contact: SMPAC Director Rachel Sorce
SMYT is designed for students aged 6-18. Limited open enrollment begins each spring. Registration is required along with payment prior to May auditions. All participants audition and receive a part along with professional instruction. Rehearsals are held in our theatre for 5-6 weeks prior to the July public performance. Stay connected! Sign up for e-mail calendars below or follow us on facebook.