Paper Mill Playhouse to Host Summer Conservatory Auditions; Partners with UCPAC

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced auditions for its 2014 Summer Professional Training Programs for talented young performers ages 10 to 18. Paper Mill's competitive Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory will open on June 30, 2014 in its new home at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) and Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts, in cooperation with their affiliate theater, music and dance companies. Auditions are scheduled for January 25 and February 1, 2014 at UCPAC. An appointment is required to audition for the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory. To schedule an audition appointment please email an appointment request to summer@papermill.org on or after January 2.

"Paper Mill Playhouse is thrilled to join the notable New Jersey arts groups that have recognized the many advantages of coming to the Rahway Arts District to utilize the historic Union County Performing Arts Center and the new state-of-the-art venue, Hamilton Stage," offered Director of Education Lisa Cooney. "The Rahway Arts District has grown rapidly due to the focused engagement of the city's leaders in courting creative endeavors. Also, Rahway's central location will enable our students and Rising Star nominees from central, southern and the Jersey shore communities to have easier access to the Conservatory by car and two train lines. Our New York City based students and faculty will love that Rahway sits just 35 minutes from Manhattan by train."

Union County Performing Arts Center Executive Director Larry McCullough agrees. "Our new partnership with Paper Mill Playhouse enables UCPAC/Hamilton Stage to become the host site for their highly competitive Summer Conservatory and helps us meet a mission objective in promoting arts education to our region-wide audiences. We anticipate that Paper Mill's Summer Conservatory will bring many new young artists and arts consumers to the Rahway Arts District. We are excited for the future."

Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs represent the ultimate opportunity - a chance for students to take their skills to the next level, while gaining the self-discipline and work ethic that will serve them throughout their entire career. Students will participate in demanding classes in singing, acting, auditioning, dance, and a series of guest artist workshops led by professional actors, directors and casting agents. Paper Mill Playhouse's programs build professional skills - so if you have the passion, talent, and drive it takes to be a performer, then Paper Mill Playhouse has the program for you.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs are comprised of two tracks: the five-week Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory held in July, or the three-week August Musical Theatre Intensive. To qualify for the programs, every student - including returning performers - must audition. Student tryouts are judged for vocal skill, dance ability, personality and song interpretation skills (acting through your song). Students will be placed in a program based on their auditions.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory (June 30 to August 2, 2014) offers the unique opportunity for gifted and talented young performers, ages 10 to 18, to work at their own level and challenge themselves to achieve new goals and learn new skills. The Conservatory is grouped into three companies, allowing each student to work on material that is appropriate for their age and skill level. This five-week program of rigorous study allows students to enhance their individual performance potential while also developing a broad base of theatre experience and knowledge. The Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory Senior Company (ages 15 to 18) and Junior-Plus Company (ages 13 & 14) will hold classes and workshops at Union County Performing Arts Center/Hamilton Stage. The Junior Company (ages 10 to 12) will hold classes and workshops at Paper Mill Playhouse, as will the August Intensive.

The end of the Conservatory month is devoted to rehearsals for the NEW VOICES CONCERT, performed annually on the Paper Mill Playhouse stage. The theme of the 2014 News Voices Concert is "Oh, What a Night!", a tribute to the magical shows and unforgettable moments that made us fall in love with the American musical. New Voices of 2014 will take place at Paper Mill Playhouse on August 1, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. and on August 2, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale March 1, 2014.

Paper Mill Playhouse's August Musical Theatre Intensive (August 4 to 22, 2014) allows performers between the ages of 10 and 16 to build individual technique and learn about themselves as performers, explore their own abilities and refine their skills. Like the July Conservatory, admission to the August Intensive is by audition only. Intensive students do not perform in the New Voices Concert; rather, the Intensive classes prepare a musical theatre showcase for family and friends in the Black Box Theatre at Paper Mill Playhouse. This allows our faculty to focus on strengthening skills and building self confidence in a non-competitive environment. Accepted students are placed in one of two sessions according to age. The small class size in each session allows for individual attention and instruction from the faculty.

AUDITION INFORMATION:

For young people who are truly serious about the performing arts, Paper Mill Playhouse's Professional Training Programs are exactly what you need to elevate your craft, but in order to be a part of this elite group, you must audition.

AUDITION DATES: Saturday, January 25 & Saturday, February 1, 2014

AUDITION LOCATION: Hamilton Stage for the Performing Arts, 360 Hamilton Avenue, Rahway, NJ 07065

Auditions are not open calls and an appointment is required. To schedule an audition appointment, please email an appointment request to summer@papermill.org on or after January 2. In your message include: the student's full name, age as of June 30, 2014, email and phone number and preferred audition date (Jan. 25 or Feb. 1.). You will receive a confirmation of your appointment time. Appointments are first come, first served. If your preferred time is filled we will offer you the next best option for your age. We will begin making audition appointments on Thursday, January 2, 2014. Appointments will not be scheduled prior to January 2, 2014.

VOCAL AUDITION:

Prospective students should select a portion of a song from a musical of approximately 32 bars (no more than one verse and chorus) that best demonstrates your vocal range, musicality, interpretive skills and acting ability. Bring sheet music in a binder or single sheets taped together that contain full piano accompaniment, not just chord symbols. An accompanist will be provided. Students may not perform a cappella or to an audio recording. This audition is your only chance to impress our faculty. Make sure you are well-rehearsed and prepared.

DANCE AUDITION:

Everyone will be asked to dance. Students will be taught a dance combination which will then be performed in small groups. Evaluation will be based on skill, potential and the ability to learn the routine. For full audition instructions, including downloadable form, go to www.PaperMill.org. Please wear or bring suitable footwear for your dance audition.

IMPORTANT AUDITION INFORMATION:

Students who are not prepared or who arrive without sheet music may not be allowed to audition. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time to allow for paperwork and photography. To save time, download the forms from our website at www.PaperMill.org. All students must bring one (1) document proving age and identification (i.e. copy of: birth certificate, student report card, student ID, passport). Parents will not be permitted in the audition room. Digitally recorded auditions are accepted only for prospective students who live out of state. Submissions must contain a singing performance of a Broadway song with accompaniment and a dance combination (ballet, jazz or tap) performed to music.

Featured performers in past Conservatory New Voices concerts have gone on to take the entertainment industry by storm! Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway ("LES MISERABLES"), Tony winners Laura Benanti (GYPSY) and Nikki M. James (BOOK OF MORMON) and Tony nominee and star of Broadway's CHAPLIN, Rob McClure all got their start on the famous Paper Mill Playhouse stage. Our alumni appear on Broadway, in National Tours and in television and films.

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