Hands-on Intensive 4-Week Musical Theatre Workshop

OVERVIEW

Musical Theatre Workshops are offered at our New York Campus only

The New York Film Academy provides a unique environment where students of Musical Theatre can hone their skills with a Broadway-level faculty not found in any other program nationwide. The Four-Week Musical Theatre Workshop provides a rigorous and fun training experience that closely models the first four weeks of the longer programs. The program is designed for individuals with singing and movement abilities who may or may not have prior experience on a musical theatre stage. The following courses allow students to get an introduction to the integral skills required for success in this field and learn how to prepare themselves for the varied demands of a musical theatre career. The program culminates in a presentation for faculty, friends, and classmates.

Admission requirements for the Four-Week Musical Theatre Workshop are the same as for our One-Year Musical Theatre Program. All participants in the Four-Week Workshop will have the opportunity to be considered for our One or Two-Year Programs, pending space availability.

MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES

• Introduction to Meisner
• Ballet I
• Jazz I
• Music Theory
• History of Musical Theatre
• Voice Studio Lab
• Song Interpretation
• Performance Lab
• Improvisation
• Voice & Speech
• Showcase Practicum

MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

To audition for the Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at NYFA, prospective students must submit an application. Applications can be completed online or brought to the audition. There is a required $65 application fee for the 1 & 2-Year Musical Theatre Conservatory Programs and a $50 application fee for the 4-Week Musical Theatre Workshop.

Please prepare two contrasting musical theatre songs and one monologue from a contemporary American play (each piece should be approximately 60-90 seconds in length).

• When auditioning at the New York City location, a pianist will be provided. Please bring sheet music in a three-ring binder and in the correct key.
• For all other auditions outside of the NYC campus, please bring an accompaniment backing track with you on a USB or mobile device (instrumental only, no vocals included).
• We will not accept a cappella auditions (singing without music).
• For video submissions, please make sure to include your name, the titles of the pieces and shows you are performing from, and the program that you are applying to.

Please do not choreograph your audition, use props, or perform into a microphone. We ask that you choose material that is age- and type-appropriate. It is important to remember that you must act your songs, so find pieces that excite you and that you have a personal connection to. The more connected you are to the character's circumstances, the more we are able to see your talent and personality.

Course Description (*Optional)

Introduction to Meisner Song Interpretation Performance Lab Voice Studio Lab Ballet I Jazz I

Music Theory History of Musical Theatre Voice & Speech I Improvisation Showcase Practicum

Introduction to Meisner

This class introduces the Meisner Technique, an actor training technique developed by Sanford Meisner, one of the founding members of the instrumental Group Theater, and is aimed at honing the actor’s listening and responding skills. It aims to focus the actor's attention toward behavioral truth within imaginary circumstances with foundational exercises. Once this foundation has been established, the students begin to apply themselves to scripted text.

Song Interpretation

This course introduces students to the techniques and comprehensive disciplines required for interpreting the musical theatre song repertoire. It is designed to provide exposure to script, score and character analysis necessary for successful song interpretation by the actor in musical theatre.

Performance Lab

This is a performance-based class that approaches musical theater the same way an actor explores text in a play. During the course, each student will develop necessary skills to thoughtfully investigate material in order to combine organic choices in movement, acting and singing. Students will explore the fundamentals of text analysis and research in order to provide intentions, stakes and conflict for each character in a variety of contrasting musical theater genres.

Voice Studio Lab

This course is designed to introduce students to the theory and practice that form the basic functional skills of vocal production and singing. Topics include: breathing, muscular, and air support, diction, the vocal anatomy, tone production, vowel and consonant modification, resonance and vocal health. Students will also develop a greater self-awareness, confidence and the tools of expression that are essential in singing.

Ballet I

This class provides a highly disciplined and developmentally appropriate sequence of ballet training. In class training focuses upon building strength, flexibility, musicality, and coordination. The class will cover the basics of placement/alignment, turnout, line of positions, port a bras, quality of movement, class etiquette, ballet terminology, and the knowledge base necessary to move forward in the dance sequence.

Jazz I

This class is designed to teach each student the correct alignment and specific techniques necessary for advancement within this and all dance genres. Class is aimed at increasing strength, flexibility, endurance, and the ability to learn and retain choreography. In additional to practical application of technique in class, students will also be introduced to the history and the major choreographers of Jazz and Musical Theatre Dance.

Music Theory

This class teaches students to be literate in the written language of music. Actors who have the ability to read music fluently have a much easier time learning songs and can do so without the help of a coach or musical director. Actors who read music are acknowledged in the industry as a valuable commodity. A professional musical theatre actor known to be a good music reader is much more likely to be hired than one who is illiterate. Sight singing is the ability to sing what is notated at a glance, the equivalent of a "cold read" in scene work. It requires the ability to identify intervals immediately and sing them correctly, and in time.

History of Musical Theatre

This course teaches students to identify prominent figures in both early and modern theatre; including composers, lyricists, performers, directors, choreographers, and producers. Students study the effects of the great historical events and trends that affected the art form from turn of the last century to today.

Voice & Speech I

In this class, students work with basic elements of speech, such as auditory awareness, and the creation of sound. Students also learn the value of dialect and the context and history of General American Speech. They deepen the study of consonants, vowels and diphthongs in order to more precisely control their articulators and attain more resonant speech. Teachers may make exercise substitutions while maintaining learning goals.

Improvisation

Students will explore the fundamental principles of improvisation and how it enhances and applies to all of their performance work. Working in pairs and groups, the students will create improvised scenes and environments, explore character, learn to trust instincts, and practice making honest, fully committed choices. With the introduction of music and lyrical components, students will apply all the same principles, but with an emphasis on genre, ensemble support, and fully invested song improvisation.

Showcase Practicum

This course is designed to help students increase knowledge of rehearsal techniques, professional behavior, and musical skills. Students will receive practice in ensemble singing in large groups, duets, trios, and small group numbers. In addition to the pedagogical instruction, the class is the practicum studio for assembling showcase events.

Dates & Tuition