Spectrum Creative Arts is proud to present Spectrum Youth Theatre, a 10-week musical theatre training program for students ages 10-15. The program will include instruction in voice, acting, and dance in a group-class atmosphere.

Spectrum Youth Theatre students will meet twice per week for an hour each class (Tuesday and Thursday nights 6:30-7:30 p.m.) During class time, students will study group musical numbers as well as selected scene-work from the musical theatre repertory. Concepts for the 10-week program will include:

• Connection of body and breath for musical theatre singing
• Maintaining vocal health as a musical theatre performer
• Vocal blend in ensemble singing
• Voice and body awareness on stage
• Basic acting techniques for creating believable characters (beats, active listening, motivation, and intention)
• Basic musical theatre dance techniques and steps

Song and scene repertoire will be chosen from the contemporary musical theatre repertory. (i.e. American Idiot, Legally Blonde, Once, Wicked, just to name a few!)

The program will culminate in a Student Showcase onstage (venue TBA), giving students a chance to demonstrate what they have learned during the course of the program. The showcase will include group music and dance numbers as well as selected scenes.

Classes will be taught by Rochester-based actor, teacher, and composer Alec Michael Powell (Department Chair of Theatre, Spectrum Creative Arts). Alec is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and has performed lead and supporting roles with several theatre companies in the Rochester area. This past season he has performed as Jeff in I Love You Because (RAPA), Ferdinand in The Duchess of Malfi (WallByrd Theatre Company), Jamie in The Last Five Years (Page to Stage), and is the composer and director of the musical adaptation of the popular children’s book The Rainbow Fish (2015 Rochester Fringe Festival and The Strong National Museum of Play, 2016). This spring, Alec will be performing the role of Gus in It’s Only a Play (RAPA) in the northeastern premiere since the 2014 Broadway revival.

Dates

• Auditions will be held on April 5th & 7th – 6:30-7:30 at Spectrum Creative Arts
• Program begins April 12th and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30-7:30 each night
• Student Showcase will take place Friday evening, June 17th (Time TBA)

Auditions

Students wishing to audition for the program may choose to attend either audition date (April 5th or 7th). Auditions will begin promptly at 6:30 each night. Students should plan to arrive at or before 6:30. Upon arrival, students will sign up for an individual audition time slot. Slots will be assigned based on a first come, first served basis. Time slots will likely be 5 minutes in duration (i.e. 6:30-6:35, 6:35-6:40, etc.). Students should prepare to sing one song of their choice (musical theatre, pop/rock, and other genres are acceptable). Students may bring sheet music (accompanist provided), a karaoke track, or recording to sing along with. The audition room will be equipped with a piano as well as speakers with an audio input. Auditions will be extremely relaxed and low-stress! Please feel free to contact Spectrum Creative Arts with questions.

Students ages 10-15 who are interested in musical theatre are encouraged to audition, all ability and experience levels welcomed! The program is sure to be an excellent learning experience in musical theatre performance. We can’t wait to see you at auditions!