The Actor's Academy-2009

A Midsummer program for acting and Shakespeare training

The Actor’s Academy is a one-of-a-kind program that provides an intense and rewarding actor training experience. Modeled after national conservatories, MiraCosta’s Actor’s Academy offers college credit courses taught by acclaimed directors and professional actors.

Expect to be inspired, stretched and nurtured. Our standards are high; your days will be demanding and rigorous…but the results are immensely rewarding. You will discover a passion, a voice and a style you’ve earned for yourself through hard work, integrity and discipline.

MiraCosta’s Actor’s Academy is looking for those who will rise to this challenge and embrace this unique opportunity.

Highlights

• Work side-by-side with acclaimed professionals
• Workshop with notable names in the San Diego theatre community
• Receive intensive and constructive actor training
• Earn five units of college credit
• Improve your acting abilities with scene work and practical acting skills
• Attend live Shakespeare performances
• Perform and showcase your skills in a public production

Admission by Audition Only

Contact Tracy Williams for Auditions information

• To schedule an appointment for an audition/interview slot, contact Tracy Williams at (760) 757-2121 ext. 6448 or e-mail her at twilliams@miracosta.edu for application materials and dates. If you are interested in having Actor's Academy auditions at your high school or college, please contact Tracy Williams to make special arrangements.

Admission is by audition only. Auditioners must prepare and perform two (2) contrasting monologues not to exceed 4 minutes in total length. There will be a short interview and improvisation section for each candidate.

A callback list will be posted and will be available on the MiraCosta Actor’s Hotline at (760) 757-2121, ext. 6452.

A select company of approximately 30 will be chosen for the 2008 class of The Actor’s Academy.

Schedule

Classes for the five-week session will be held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 6:30p.m., at MiraCosta’s Oceanside Campus, One Barnard Drive, Oceanside. Some evening rehearsals will be required. Tech week rehearsals and performances for the production will also be at the Oceanside campus.

Curriculum

The following prescribed curriculum of all four classes is required for all first year participants, who will earn five units of college credit upon completion.

• Drama 109 Practicum of Voice and Diction

A lab course covering the basics of vocal training to improve voice projection, articulation and expression.

• Drama 126 Shakespearean Acting Lab

This lab course focuses on the basics of classical acting techniques, comprehension and delivery of Shakespeare’s work. The course will include the basics of classical acting techniques, ensemble work, exercises, games and more.

• Drama 232 Movement for the Stage

Designed to explore dynamic movement. Emphasizes physical control, strength, flexibility, creative imagination, and the integration of mind, body and emotion. Includes character neutral mask work and using the principles of Rudolf Laban.

• Drama 270 Rehearsal and Performance

Enrollment consists entirely of people who are cast in the current major production, The Tempest. All Academy students will be cast.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition for the summer conservatory is consistent with the per unit enrollment fees for California residents and non-residents. The current enrollment fees are available online at www.miracosta.edu/studentservices/Admissions/faqs.htm or by calling (760) 795-6620. Students will also pay a materials fee.

The Actor’s Academy is open to any individual:

• Eighteen years of age or older or
• A high school graduate or equivalent or
• A current high school sophomore, junior or senior with a Minor’s Permit signed by their high school counselor, principal and parent.

Tracy Williams is the Conservatory Director and inspired this program with her model conservatory summer program in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Southwest Shakespeare Conservatory. She also teaches Voice and Movement and has been educating theatre students for 22 years. Tracy is in her second year as a full time faculty member in the Theatre Department at MiraCosta. This is her fourth summer teaching in The Actor's Academy. She is also a member of Actor's Equity and performed last summer at the Old Lyric Repertory Theatre in Logan, Utah. Tracy taught at Scottsdale Community College for 17 years prior to accepting the full time position at MiraCosta College. Tracy holds and M.F.A. from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Eric Bishop founded The Actor's Academy shortly after beginning as a full time faculty member at MiraCosta College in 2000. Eric is experienced with theatre conservatory training programs having served as a Resident-Artist at PCPA Theaterfest, Utah State University's Theatre Conservatory program and the Southwest Shakespeare Conservatory. Eric will be teaching the Track Two students Acting this summer.

Kristianne Kurner teaches Advanced Acting studies in The Actor's Academy. She is also a Founder and Managing Director of New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. After graduating from the College of William & Mary in Virginia, Kristianne earned a Masters Degrees in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School.

Billy Gunn is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Southern California in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. Billy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Russian Studies from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Russian Literature from the University of Southern California. In addition, he is nearing completion (Fall 2007) of a Master’s degree in Theatre History from Brigham Young University. Billy’s various responsibilities in the theatre have included work as an actor, director, dramaturg, producer, translator and teacher. Between 1994 and 2001, Billy was an actor for the Southwest Shakespeare Company in Phoenix, Arizona, where in 1996 he received an AriZoni award for the role of Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Billy has taught Theatre and Film classes at Scottsdale Community College and Brigham Young University.

Randy Messersmith teaches acting for the Track Two students who are in the Academy. Randy holds an M.A. in Theatre from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He is the head of the Theatre Department at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona.

Christopher M. Williams has volunteered at The Actor's Academy for the last five years and has been seen as an actor in several North Coast Repertory theatre productions. Christopher taught and directed at Scottsdale Community College, Glendale Community College and the Southwest Shakespeare Conservatory. He is a member of the Actor's Equity Association.

To print an application: Application (PDF)