The
Musical Theatre
Institute
for Teens

Jane Pesci-Townsend, Artistic Director

A unique four-week training program for ages 13-18
culminating in a full production of

HAIR*
book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni
music by Galt MacDermot

“An escapist dose of the sweet sound of youth brimming with hope that the world is going to change tomorrow.”—The New York Times

Mondays-Fridays, 9am-2pm
(Day begins at 5pm on Friday, August 8)

July 14-August 8

Performances, evenings August 7-9

*Please Note: The Theatre Lab’s production of Hair will not include nudity.

 

ABOUT THE MUSICAL THEATRE INSTITUTE

The Musical Theatre Institute for Teens is an intensive four-week training program in which participants rehearse and perform a full musical production under the guidance of one of the area’s most esteemed directors.  The idea behind the institute is to enable young artists to explore challenging, socially relevant material from the contemporary musical theatre world as they receive the intensive voice, movement and acting training essential for professional-level performance. Past productions, including last summer’s Les Misérables, have played to critical raves and sold-out houses.

The 2008 Musical Theatre Institute will culminate with a full-scale production of Hair—the counter-cultural musical phenomenon that first took Broadway by storm in 1968.  Always a crowd pleaser, Hair has recently experienced a popular and critical revival as its strong anti-war themes have become increasingly relevant to today’s youth.

With signature group numbers including the exuberant “Aquarius” and “Good Morning Starshine” and beautiful ballads like “Easy to Be Hard” and “Frank Mills”, Hair has something for every voice type and provides considerable acting challenges for students at all experience levels.  Whether you are already an accomplished performer or are simply looking to build skills in musical theatre, this is your chance to be a part of a thrilling ensemble musical. 

All roles are open.

The Musical Theatre Institute is designed to challenge young performers—both artistically and personally—while providing a supportive, caring environment in which to develop.  While the emphasis is on performance, students will also receive training in a wide variety of musical theatre disciplines during the rehearsal process, including: vocal production, acting a song, proper breathing technique, movement, building a character, ensemble acting, and more.

The Musical Theatre Institute is directed by acclaimed musical theatre performer and director Jane Pesci-Townsend, a four-time Helen Hayes Award nominee who also serves as Chair of Catholic University’s Department of Musical Theatre. Classes and rehearsals will be held Monday-Friday from 9am-2pm, July 14-August 8.  In addition, there will be evening performances August 7-9.  On Thursday, August 7, classes will begin at 9am and students will be expected to stay with Program Directors until evening performance time. On Friday, August 8 there will be no classes; students will be expected to arrive at the theatre at 5pm for rehearsal and stay through performance time.

 

Classes, rehearsals and performances take place in our downtown home:

755 8th St NW, Washington DC 20001
(Gallery Place Metro - Red, Yellow and Green lines)

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ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Jane Pesci-Townsend (Program Director), a four-time Helen Hayes award nominee (The Revenge of Mrs. Foggybottom, '88; Closer Than Ever, '92; Putting It Together, '01; Pirates of Penzance, '02), is a well recognized feature on the stages of Washington, DC. She has appeared at Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre. Metro Stage, Round House Theatre, Source Theatre, Washington Jewish Theatre, Signature Theatre, and The Marquee Cabaret and was honored to be involved in the Kennedy Center's "Sondheim Celebration" production of Sweeney Todd as a member of the ensemble and the understudy for Mrs. Lovett played by Christine Baranski. When Ms. Baranski fell ill, Jane went on opposite Brian Stokes Mitchell and garnered rave reviews in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Christian Science Monitor. Next on her calendar is her Olney Theatre debut in her one woman improvisational musical tour-de-force, RAW, and in the role of Nettie in Carousel. Jane is in her eleventh year as a faculty member at The Catholic University of America's Benjamin T. Rome School of Music teaching voice and musical theatre performance. She recently has become involved with Signature Theatre's Kennedy Center-based Summer Music Theatre Workshop OVERTURES, joining a luminary faculty that includes Eric Schaeffer. As a director who specializes is educational theatre, Jane has directed for The Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA), Montgomery College, University of Maryland, College Park, The Catholic University of America, and for the Paradigm Players, a theatre company devoted to supporting actors with special needs.

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ADMISSION

Admission to the Musical Theatre Institute for Teens is by application and audition.  Applicants will be accepted on the basis of their commitment to exploring the musical theatre craft, their willingness to collaborate in a group process of discovery with other young artists, and their ability to handle the demands of the musical score.

All applicants must complete a written essay expressing their interest in the program.    Applicants must also prepare a musical theatre song for auditions that will be scheduled upon receipt of completed application.

Please note: Due to the limited nature of our enrollment, admission is competitive. After we receive your application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.

 

TUITION

Tuition for the Musical Theatre Institute—Downtown DC Program—is $750.  Full and partial financial aid is available through our scholarship and work study programs. 

 

Apply Online

or

Download Application to Mail

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COMMENTS FROM THEATRE LAB PARTICIPANTS

"I have learned more in these four weeks than I have learned in a year in other places.”

"It was everything I expected and more. I expected to make lifelong friends and learn new things about the musical theatre craft. What I didn't expect was the catharsis I experienced. I felt I matured not only as a singer but as a person. I would love to do it again next year.”

"Everyone got the special teaching and attention that was needed."

"The atmosphere of everybody was terrific, friendly and determined. I really loved being around people like that."

"I can honestly say that this is the most fun I have had in anything I have done."

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WHAT MAKES THE MUSICAL THEATRE INSTITUTE UNIQUE?

An artistic team on their seventh consecutive production, committed to EXCELLENCE.

A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT in which to take risks and explore your own artistry.

Top-notch TRAINING that prepares you to work in any theatre setting—not just ours.

The FUN of working with peers who love theatre as much as you do.