Young Artists of America at Strathmore (YAA) is thrilled to announce Virtual Summer Performing Arts Intensives, an online version of their award-winning summer musical theater program. While COVID-19 has forced the organization to pivot to a virtual space, YAA is using this unique opportunity to enhance the personalized experience students typically receive—and focus more intently on the important role that technology plays in the current performing arts world. In particular, students will learn to master the art of performing on camera, a vital skill for any young performing artist hoping to audition and perform now, and into the foreseeable future.
The summer intensive will be two different programs, a half-day model for both middle school and high school students, respectively, and a full-day model for high school students and rising college freshmen. Students can sign up for one or both sessions, the first running from June 26 to July 10, and the second from July 11 to July 24. Students will have the opportunity to study acting, dance, and voice in private and small group sessions with top faculty and teaching artists from the region while experiencing a learning environment focused on artistry, excellence, mentorship, and community.
“YAA has built its reputation on its excellent faculty and innovative programming,” says Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director Rolando Sanz. “We are committed to leveraging that talent and creativity to make this first-of-its-kind Virtual Summer Performing Arts Intensive engaging and inspiring,” he continues.
The program will feature digital musical theater video productions of Company, A Chorus Line, The Wizard of Oz, and James and the Giant Peach, filmed by students and professionally directed, edited, and produced by YAA staff. The program will also host “watch parties” of the productions for friends and family—along with virtual “student lunch parties” and other events meant to spark community during a time of social distancing. The uniqueness of this program will also allow for creative casting, meaning more students will have greater performance opportunities.
“Nothing like this has ever been done before,” says Sanz. “But the performing arts is all about innovation, adaptability, and creativity, and we are ready for this challenge!”
Registration is open now. You can stay tuned to the Virtual Summer page on the YAA website for program information.
Young Artists of America at Strathmore is the region’s premier training organization for collaborative performing artists. It is the only known program in the nation where high school students receive mentorship and individualized instruction from renowned artists while training to perform fully-orchestrated works of music-theater in state-of-the-art venues. Their goal is to provide gifted and committed high school students unique performance and educational opportunities in a professional, nurturing, and collaborative environment.
