Skylight Music Theatre Announces New High School Musical Theatre Summer Workshop

Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Ray Jivoff today announced a new Musical Theater Summer Workshop for high school students. The two-week program will be led by Jivoff, Margaret Bridges, Skylight's Education Manager and Ryan Cappleman, Skylight's Resident Education Music Director Mondays through Fridays, July 16 - 27, with a culminating showcase on Friday, July 27. The Summer Workshop will be held in the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee's Third Ward.

"We have created a musical theatre training intensive unlike any other in Southeastern Wisconsin," said Jivoff. "The program was shaped by feedback from area high school students, teachers and music theatre professionals. It will not only offer high school students opportunities to strengthen their musical theatre skills, but they will work side by side with local music theatre professionals at an arts organization with a long history of producing such work."

"We will offer rigorous, concentrated and challenging musical theatre training in a fast-paced and positive learning environment," said Bridges. "The workshop will connect students with area vocal coaches, choreographers and directors. Most importantly, we will offer the same supportive, high-energy and professional environment for high school students that professional artists find when they work at Skylight Music Theatre."

Program Created to Strengthen Musical Theatre Skills of Area Teens

Students can expect a rigorous and high-energy musical theatre curriculum. Morning sessions will focus on dance training, movement and ensemble work. Afternoon sessions will be masterclasses in singing, monologue work, auditioning, musical theatre styles and vocal health.

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Students will work in both small groups and one-on-one to build knowledge and repertoire in various music theatre styles. The summer program will culminate with a showcase in the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center as a celebration for family, friends and community members.

"Our Summer Workshop will enable area high school students with an interest in musical theatre to work with and learn from a variety of local artists. They will experience a full range of dance and musical styles and be encouraged to discover and develop their skills," Jivoff said. "We are proud to work with so many professionals during our mainstage season who are enthusiastic to share their knowledge and experience."

Looking for Students from All Musical Theatre Backgrounds

The program is open to high school students entering grades 9 through 12 with all performing backgrounds and skill levels. Whether or not students have been in professional productions or school shows, they are encouraged to apply. Previous experience is not the sole factor for acceptance into the program.

Program Information

Dates July 16 - 27, 2018 (Monday - Friday only)

Times 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Bring your own bag lunch)

Location Broadway Theatre Center (158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202)

Rate $315

How to Apply

Go to www.skylightmusictheatre.org/summerprogram. Students must submit an online application and will be accepted on a rolling basis starting April 10, 2018. Please contact Margaret Bridges for more information. Phone (414) 299-4952 or email MargaretB@skylightmusictheatre.org

About the Teaching Staff

Ray Jivoff is the Artistic Director of Skylight Music Theatre and will direct its upcoming production of Urinetown. He recently directed Anything Goes at Marquette University. He was the theatre director at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha for twelve years and created the Next Actors Summer Theatre for Youth, a developmental musical theatre project for High School students. He has directed at Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, UW Milwaukee, and Milwaukee High School of the Arts. He has performed at Skylight, Milwaukee Rep, and First Stage.

Ryan Cappleman is a Milwaukee-based performer, choreographer, music director, and teaching artist. He is Skylight Music Theatre's Resident Education Music Director. He has served on faculty or as a guest artist for First Stage, Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts Summer Dance Intensive, Wisconsin Dance Council, Danceworks, UW-Waukesha, Virginia State Thespian Conference, Children's Theatre of Madison, Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences, Overture Center Musical Theatre Awards, Arts Connect at the Marcus Center, and Shorewood High School. BFA from UW-Milwaukee.

Margaret Bridges is the Education Manager at Skylight Music Theatre and has taught with theatre, music, and dance education programs around the world. She has taught with First Stage and the Milwaukee Rep in Milwaukee. She has also worked as a director and teaching artist in Austin (Story Wranglers, Zach Theatre, Just Imagine, UT Austin), New York (Mabou Mines), Dublin (Project Arts Centre, Project Brand New), and Morocco (US Peace Corps). BFA from Carnegie Mellon University, MA from UT Austin.

About Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre's mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition. Skylight presents productions "Skylight Style" - bringing fresh approaches or interesting twists to music theatre works, creating meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but with the audience as well. The beautiful, intimate Cabot Theatre allows audiences to feel close to the powerful emotions on stage.

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