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You could be one of thirty-two talented actors and actresses from New York State high schools who will study with members of a professional theater company while attending the New York State Summer School of Theatre. You will receive intensive, preprofessional training in a wide spectrum of theater arts, taking daily classes in acting, movement, voice and scene study, and you will also experience a number of other specific theater disciplines, including stage combat, comedy and impulse improvisation, mask, and play writing, among others.

You will attend classes at a well-appointed theater complex at SUNY New Paltz. Professional theater companies in the past have included The Acting Company, The Circle Repertory Theater Company as well as The Circle East Theater Company of New York City. You will be offered a well-developed course curriculum as well as an incredible theater experience. Included in the program are field trips to shows in New York City that are designed to cover a wide range of theater as well as guest artists, playwrights, and various workshops.

If you are serious about theater, this summer program is the one for you. If you are selected to participate, you should be prepared to work intensively up to 12 hours each day on your craft. A major part of the educational process will include interaction with professional actors, directors, designers and playwrights, providing a remarkable experience for you, no matter what kind of theater professional you strive to become. This serious summer program will give you not only a fabulous start, but will also provide an excellent opportunity for you to measure your commitment to acting in the professional theater.

Application Process

Please complete and return the application form at least 10 days before the scheduled date of the audition site you select. Please include a snapshot of yourself with the application. Upon receipt of this application, the NYSSSA office will send complete information and directions to regional audition sites. The School of Theatre is open to all New York State school students currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12 who qualify through the audition process. Previous acting experience is not a prerequisite for your participation.

Audition Guidelines

If you are interested in attending the School of Theatre, you must audition successfully to become a member or an alternate. The selection process is conducted by School of Theatre faculty and is administered by the New York State Education Department. Applicants must memorize two monologues of two minutes each. Selections should be from well-known, published plays (not musicals), and should reflect contrasting moods and/or characters. A list of audition scenes recommended by School of Theatre faculty appears in this site.

You should choose two scenes — one classical and one contemporary — which are within your range of life experience and ability, or scenes from any published plays to which you feel especially close. We recommend that you read the entire play from which your excerpt is taken, in order to better understand and interpret your selection. School of Theatre faculty who serve as adjudicators are interested in how you use yourself honestly, rather than how you can “put on a character.” You will be rated on honesty, interpretation, diction/voice, relaxation/concentration, and movement.

Auditions occur in small rehearsal rooms or classrooms. Wear informal clothes and shoes which do not impede your movement. Do not use costumes or stage makeup. One or two simple props may be used if appropriate. After all regional auditions are completed, you will be notified by mail of the audition results.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The School of Theatre will hold its annual four-week program from (TO BE ANNOUNCED). Total cost of tuition, room, and board will be $1,500.

NYSSSA's summer programs are open to all New York State students currently enrolled in grades 8 through 12 who qualify through the audition process. Tuition, room, and board costs should not discourage any talented young artist from auditioning. A student who auditions is under no obligation to attend and every effort will be made to allocate suitable financial aid.

We want any talented young artist who is accepted through our audition process, regardless of his or her ability to pay for the school, to be able to attend, so tuition assistance is available. Tuition assistance forms are mailed to students after the audition process. NYSSSA awards financial assistance based upon individual need.

For further information, please contact:
NYSSSA School of Theatre
State Education Department
89 Washington Ave.
Room 866 EBA
Albany, New York 12234
(518) 474-8773
e-mail: nysssa@mail.nysed.gov