Senior Conservatory

Senior Conservatory

ACT III: Training the Thriving Performer (Grades 8-12)

 

The Senior Conservatory is the most advanced training ground for PYT performers. The Senior Conservatory explores drama skills through deep engagement in improvisation, story development, vocal work, physical theatre, and character study. Students will be developing their playmaking skills by putting their words and ideas into dramatic form. Students will also work with specific theatrical techniques and styles such as Shakespeare, Method, Meisner, directing concepts, and writing skills. Students hone their performance skills through a variety of challenging classes and performance opportunities.

BENEFITS:

  • Self-knowledge
  • Self-expression
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Responsibility
  • Accountability

SKILLS EXPLORED:

  • Character Analysis
  • Motivation / Objectives
  • Script Analysis
  • Creative thinking
  • Spontaneity
  • Devising

Enrich your Experience:  A weekly dance class is an essential part of developing technique, musicality, and expressiveness- add TEEN BALLET, TEEN JAZZ, TEEN TAP, and/or TEEN BROADWAY STYLES. For advanced dancers, continue your dance training or call for recommendations. The voice is a vital tool for a performer, and proper training in singing is important- add PRIVATE or PRIVATE VOICE LESSONS WITH PIANO COMPONENT OR PRIVATE AUDITION/COLLEGE COACHING.

Intro to Acting for Teens (Grades 9-12)

Tuesdays 6:00 – 7:30 PM

This introductory class is a perfect fit for that teen who may be interested in acting, directing, singing, and/or dancing. Instruction in basic acting principles and vocal techniques will be emphasized, along with how the body can be used to help tell stories. Students will create characters and improvise scenes, as well as engage in exercises in movement and voice- all helping to build self-confidence. Students will perform in PYT Performs!

Advanced Acting I

Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Prerequisite: Young Actors Company or previous training

This class challenges the more experienced actor to become a well-rounded performer through three units of study:

  • Improvisational Skill Building – which will foster spontaneity and creative thinking
  • Monologue Analysis – which will explore the essential elements of a character’s objectives, obstacles, conflicts, and relationships
  • Scene Study – which will introduce students to contemporary and classic plays

In this class, students will track a character’s journey through a scene or monologue. Students will perform in Senior Cabaret, Evening of Scenes and Monologues, and One-Acts. This class is for students with previous experience.

Advanced Acting II

Thursdays 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Prerequisite: Either Advanced Acting I or previous training

This class is for the serious performer. Advanced actors will expand their skills by:

  • Delving into character development and script analysis, with emphasis on creating acting objectives.
  • Discovering scenes through character relationships
  • Exploring monologues

These students will perform in Senior Cabaret and Evening of Scenes and Monologues. This class is for students with previous experience.

Master Class

Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 PM NEW TIME!

Prerequisite: Either Advanced Acting II, Performance Intensive, or previous training

For PYT’s advanced Senior Conservatory students, their training continues to explore physical and vocal work, honest characterization, and ensemble storytelling, with specific attention paid to individual actors’ growth and development. Layering on emotional truth, authenticity of performance, and the active pursuit of an objective, this important class asks students to take greater risks. These students will perform in Senior Cabaret and produce and perform original work as the culmination of their year of training in Showcase, formerly known as Evening of Scenes and Monologues. This class is for students with previous experience. If not recommended, must have instructors’ permission.

Company

Mondays 6:30 – 8:30 PM NEW TIME!

Prerequisite:  Either Master Class or previous training

An exciting new challenge for the most advanced student, this class will merge voice, movement, and text work with a major performance project. The emphasis of this class is on training through the rehearsal and performance process. By engaging in hands-on exploration of the rich history of theatre performance in class and rehearsal, actors will practice the deepest skills required for professional theatre work:  pursuing objectives, overcoming obstacles, utilizing tactics, and creating dynamic characters. This class will culminate in Showcase, an evening of student-driven and directed material. If not recommended, must have instructors’ permission.

Private Audition/College Coaching

High School Students ONLY

Whether looking for production audition coaching or preparation for college auditions, PYT is happy to offer affordable Private Acting Lessons. Depending on your goals, you and your instructor will develop a program that will encourage growth, develop new techniques, and offer constructive feedback. By appointment only with one of PYT’s highly qualified Acting instructors. These sessions are curated to your needs and schedule. Whether it’s one session or multiple, we will make it work for you!

High School Internships

PYT offers high school students who are enrolled in PYT classes the opportunity to earn Community Service Hours throughout the year. To find out more, please contact Jill Dunn Jones, Artistic Director, at jdunn@123pyt.org.