A Great 3 weeks!

 

The 2012 Summer Intensive students strutted their stuff today!

Fighting...

to the death... followed by....

Dancing!! 5 6 7 8.....

followed by the motion of the ocean...

... and the big finish...

APPLAUSE!!

Great job EVERYONE!

Meet our wonderful 2012 Summer Intensive High School students!

The 2012 Summer Intensive class has been hard at it for a week and a half, so the Bloginator thought it was about time for some introductions.

Below are some great pics of Acting for the Camera, taught by Barry Bell with Evan Redd as the cameraman and editor; and Musical Theatre, taught by Patti D'Beck with the assistance of grad student Clayton Winters.

The actors look terribly serious because they were filming a PSA about NOT texting while driving. Note the intensity?

Take a look at these terrific young actors, and following the photos, read what they have to say about themselves and their experiences here at Theatre VCU.

Emily Cyr, Emma Wright, Denver Crawford, Trevor Telest, Gabrielle McClung & Lisa Humfelt

Sarah Spinner, Isabella Stansbury, Isaac Witt, Rachel Murphy-West, Marissa Boyd & Bri Mattal

A rapt audience.

Barry and one group....

... and another. (the money shot, right Barry?)

The Lord and his domain.

The work starts early... and goes right through until the night!

Stretching with Miss Patti D'Beck

"5  6  7  8"

Some of us have never done this before.... and Patti ALWAYS gets them moving...

This is quite a work out for three hours!

And now - some introductions:

1.Name: Lisa Humfelt

High School: Bishop O’connel HS

Who is your high school drama teacher? : Mrs. Elizabeth Milam

What is your favorite musical? : Rent/Wicked

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

My favorite part is that I am working with real college teachers and I am learning from the people who are doing and have done the thing I want to do.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

This has helped me grow by teaching me all the aspects of the theater business, from acting w/cameras, stage combat, singing and dancing.

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2.Name: Emily Cyr

High School: Collegiate School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Ted Shaffner

What is your favorite musical? Wicked

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

The acting for the camera class because acting is my biggest interest compared to singing and dancing.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

I have learned more about vocal and dance auditions, become more comfortable on film and have learned a lot of really cool/intense stage combat.

3. Name: Isabella Stansbury

High School: Poquoson High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Mrs. Dykes

What is your favorite musical? Anything Goes

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

Learning new techniques and methods for acting in different situations.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

The teachers have helped me act in ways that I haven’t before and helped me take risks.

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4. Name: Denver Crawford

High School: Poquoson High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? N/A

What is your favorite musical? Billy Elliot

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

I like that it gives me a taste of what college will be like. I plan on attending VCU and I plan on majoring in theater, so I couldn’t ask for more.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?
I have learned about new acting methods, my future outside of college as a performer and many helpful tips /tricks for both onstage and film acting.

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5. Name: Trevor Telest

High School: Trinity Christian School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Mrs. Christy Ting

What is your favorite musical? Les Miserables

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

I absolutely love how close knit everyone has become- we are all like one big happy family. Aslo, the skills and techniques we’re learning are extremely helpful and I have gained so much so far.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

The program has helped me to let go and become who/what I’m performing. It’s helped me realize that acting is about being yourself , being honest and it’s shed a new light on it for me.

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6. Name: Marissa Boyd

High School: Lafayette High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Mrs. McCorry

What is your favorite musical? Hairspray/Singing in the Rain

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

My favorite part is getting to work with amazing teachers and learning more about the college I want to attend in Fall 2013.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

It has helped me learn to use my past experiences for on camera work. I think not only are these classes teaching me about theatre, but about myself as well. I make new discoveries daily.

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7. Name: Emma Wright

High School: Briar Woods High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Marilyn Gilligan

What is your favorite musical?  Phantom of the Opera

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

Being exposed to so many experienced actors and directors who are willing to share everything they know and have learned throughout their careers. But as a class, I think stage combat is definitely my favorite. It looks so realistic and is lots of fun.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

It helps a lot to have teachers who have experienced the world of acting both for film and theatre, because they can give you an idea of how you should present yourself in the real world, not just improving your acting.

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8. Name: Isaac Witt

High School: Home Schooled

Who is your high school drama teacher? Mrs. King

What is your favorite musical? Fiddler on the Roof

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

Learning to be a better actor.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

Finding out who I am as an actor.

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9. Name: Bri Mattal

High School: Del Oro High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Jeff Johnson

What is your favorite musical? Les Miserables

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

My favorite part is to be able to learn and grow in a professional environment.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

Being here has helped me overcome so much. Barry, Patti, and Clayton are amazing at what they do and have helped me develop my skills.

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10. Name: Gabrielle McClung

High School: Parkville High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Mrs. Letnaunchyn

What is your favorite musical? Chicago

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

I really enjoy the musical theatre aspect of this intensive because I can really express how I feel. As well as musically and physically create a scene.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

As a performer I have gained more confidence in the areas that I have less experience in, such as acting. Through this intensive I have determined that Theatre is what I truly what I want to do in life.

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11. Name: Rachel Murphy-Weast

High School: Clover Hill High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Ms. Katie Hunter

What is your favorite musical? Wicked

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

I love being in an environment where everyone is as serious about theatre as I am. Everyone here gives it 110% each day.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

Through the four classes I’m able to pick up various tips,tricks and techniques about theatre. All of our instructors treat us like adults and help us reach our maximum potential. I can’t wait to do more plays and put my new skills to use.

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12. Name: Sarah Spinner

High School: Henrico High School

Who is your high school drama teacher? Karen Moody

What is your favorite musical?  Hard question! UGH! So many…I would say..Ragtime ,The Lion King, Rocky Horror, and Avenue Q.

What is your favorite part of the Theatre VCU Summer Intensive?

I loved everything so far! I would say all of the classes are equally amazing, but the people I’m surrounded with are great.

How has it helped you grow as a performer?

It’s helped me realize I’m capable of being a talented performer, but that I need self confidence in what I do.

 

More photos to follow - next week!

A Great Evening of Rising Masters! July 13 - Featuring our own Maggi Horan!

We're SO proud of Miss Maggie! Chosen to represent Theatre VCU as an up coming Central Virginia "Rising Master" - singing some great show tunes during this entertaining hour featuring great VCU talent!

on WCVE PBS & WHTJ PBS
Richmond/Charlottesville, VA

Here's how WCVE describes the show:

Studio Sessions With Rising Masters

 Friday, July 13 -- 9:00pm
A showcase of up-and-coming artists from Central Virginia. Included: the Graham Brothers, who play piano; mezzo-soprano Anna Maples, who sings with the Virginia Opera; and mezzo-soprano Maggie Horan from Virginia Commonwealth University.

We photographed Maggie and Leilani Giles (her fabulous accompanist) during the taping on June 23.

 

It's going to be a great show! Don't miss it!!