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Signature Theatre’s Musical Theater Institute
June 21 – July 3, 2009

“This program affords the opportunity to work with some of the best in the business… and I definitely think I was given the tools to succeed.”
Sara Brophy, BFA student Dance Performance, University of the Arts, 2008 Overtures Graduate

“I enjoyed myself and met some amazing people and feel I have improved so much as an actor and person”
Amanda Roberts, Music major, Rome School of Music, The Catholic University of America, 2008 Overtures Graduate

OverturesOffered at Signature Theatre’s state-of-the-art, two-theater facility just minutes from downtown Washington, DC, Overtures is a unique experience for emerging musical theater performers. This unique, two-week intensive training program provides rigorous and comprehensive instruction in vocal technique, dance, movement, and acting/scene study for a select number of emerging performers

FACULTY
Overtures is under the direction of Eric Schaeffer, Signature’s Artistic Director and acclaimed director of national and regional successes such as Kiss of the Spider Woman (featuring Tony® nominee Hunter Foster and Broadway performers Will Chase and Natascia Diaz), and the new musical ACE starring Jill Paice and Tony® nominee Emily Skinner. Additional faculty includes award-winning professional choreographer and Signature Theatre Artistic Associate Karma Camp; Jane Pesci-Townsend, professional actress and Chair of the Rome School of Music at Catholic University; professional musical director Jay Crowder, Chair of the Music Department at Montgomery College; and award-winning actor Andrew Long, member of The Shakespeare Theatre acting company and teaching staff.

Master Classes are taught by distinguished theater professionals. Guest instructors have included

  • Tony® Award winners Harriet Harris, Donna McKechnie, Michael Rupert, and Marsha Norman
  • Broadway performers James Barbour, Matt Bogart, Carolee Carmello, Marc Kudisch, Norm Lewis, Judy McLane, and Emily Skinner
  • Composers Richard Maltby and Ricky Ian Gordon
  • New York Casting Directors Stuart Howard and Tara Rubin

SCHEDULE
Students meet six days a week from 10:00am to 9:00pm. The curriculum includes daily classes in dance, acting, and vocal performance, as well as individual one-on-one sessions. Master Classes with notable professionals are scheduled regularly. The final Master Class provides students with an opportunity to audition for a professional casting agent from New York City and receive personal feedback on their audition. Evening rehearsals are held to prepare for the end-of-session showcase presented in Signature’s MAX Theatre.

OverturesTUITION & HOUSING
Students meet six days a week from 10:00am to 9:00pm. The curriculum includes daily classes in dance, acting, and vocal performance, as well as individual one-on-one sessions. Master Classes with notable professionals are scheduled regularly. The final Master Class provides students with an opportunity to audition for a professional casting agent from New York City and receive personal feedback on their audition. Evening rehearsals are held to prepare for the end-of-session showcase presented in Signature’s MAX Theatre.

FELLOWSHIPS
A limited number of fellowships are available for applicants with special circumstances. Fellowship support from organizations such as the Weissberg Foundation provides some full and partial tuition assistance and may also include additional funds for travel, housing, and per diem expenses. Fellowship applications will be accepted beginning March 3, 2009. Deadline for submitting applications is April 10, 2009. Fellowship awards will be made no later than May 15, 2009. Click here to download an Overtures fellowship application.

TO APPLY FOR OVERTURES
On-site auditions will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 and on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206. Audition appointments for the March 7 audition will be scheduled beginning February 17, 2009. Appointments for the April 18 audition will be scheduled beginning April 1, 2009. For information about the audition and to schedule an appointment, contact Education Director Marcia Gardner at (571) 527-1854.

If you cannot attend an on-site audition at Signature, you may apply by submitting a DVD that includes:

  • At least 32 bars of two contrasting songs, performed with an accompanist, and
  • A dance routine or a movement exercise that demonstrates your ability to move with music.

Audition DVDs must be accompanied by:

  • A letter of intent describing your interest in attending Overtures, and
  • A headshot and résumé with detailed training and performance experience.

DVD APPLICATION DEADLINE
Monday, April 6, 2009

SEND TO
Signature Theatre
Overtures
Attn: Marcia Gardner
4200 Campbell Avenue
Arlington, VA 22206

OverturesACCEPTANCE
Notification of acceptance will be mailed no later than April 21, 2009. To insure your place on the roster, a non-refundable deposit of $250 is required no later than May 1, 2009. The tuition balance of $1,250 is due in full by June 1, 2009. Any additional cost for housing is due on June 21, the first day of Overtures. Any student under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian authorize the student’s participation in the program. Every participant is required to submit proof of health and accident insurance on or before June 1, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Marcia Gardner, Education Director
Signature Theatre
(571) 527-1854
gardnerm@signature-theatre.org

Housing accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you require housing, you must make the request at the time you are accepted into the program so that your housing can be confirmed.

“I hope to do it again next year to improve even more!”
BFA student Musical Theater, Syracuse University, 2008 Overtures Graduate