288 S Second St, San Jose, CA
Summer Theatre Classes for Youth & Teens
It’s Not Just a “Theater Camp.” It’s a Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory for Aspiring Theatre Professionals.
3Below’s Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory is more than just a theatre camp. Our program offers a conservatory setting staffed with trained, experienced, professional educators who make their living as theatre artists. We offer an intense – but fun! – four-week experience to build skills in acting, music, dance, improvisation, and other areas all having to do with musical theatre.
WHEN:
July 15 through August 9, 2024
9:00am to 3:00pm
Mondays through Fridays
WHERE:
3Below Theaters
located at 288 S Second St
corner of 2nd St and San Carlos
in Downtown San Jose
WHO:
Our summer conservatory is designed for students with a strong interest in musical theatre entering 3rd through 10th grade in the fall of this year.
SHOWCASE:
Although the process and training is the highlight of the program, we do culminate in a showcase to share what the students learned over the four weeks. The showcase performances are at 7pm on the final Wednesday and Thursday of the session.
This year we will present “America Sings!” “America Sings!” is an original two act musical revue based on the writings of Stan Freberg. It’s a hilarious night of comedy that celebrates the good ol’ USA and the Broadway Musical…Betty Ross and Barbra Streisand…George Washington and George M. Cohan…Uncle Sam and Auntie Mame! “America Sings!” takes its audience on a nostalgic trip back to Colonial times to witness the birth of a nation through what else? Musical theatre! America and Broadway come alive and its memorable sound track serves to underscore the triumphs and achievements of our great nation. The production features a large ensemble cast, many featured and leading roles, and is designed to bring out the best in every student.
CONSERVATORY PLUS:
Conservatory PLUS is an extension of our wildly popular and award-winning Summer Conservatory which has heretofore been offered only for 3rd through 8th graders. With Conservatory PLUS, older aspiring musical theatre artists (through 11th grade) as well as those younger, more accomplished and/or driven students (as young as 7th grade) will enjoy a more comprehensive advanced curriculum. Students accepted into Conservatory PLUS will still be part of the regular Summer Conservatory, participating as a group in morning warm-ups and rehearsals, but will stay grouped with the PLUS students for Core Classes and electives so the curriculum can be tailored to suit the students who are ready for more.
If you are ready for more in-depth learning, audition for Conservatory PLUS and take part in classes, workshops, and master classes tailored to your emerging skills.
Daily Schedule
Mondays through Thursdays:
8:45am Arrival and Check-in
9:00am – 9:30am Warm-ups & Morning Fun
9:30am – 12:00pm Core Class Rotation
Students will be grouped by experience and age for a rotation of classes in acting, music, singing, dance, movement, and improvisation
12:00pm – 12:30 Lunch
12:30pm – 2:30pm Rehearsals
During the second half of the day, we’ll be in rehearsal for the showcase.
2:30pm – 3:00pm Group Activities
To end each day, we’ll regroup as a complete ensemble for group games, activities, movies, and fun
Fridays:
8:45am Arrival and Check-in
9:00am – 9:30am Warm-ups & Morning Fun
9:30am – 12:00pm Electives
Students will be grouped by interest to take part in a variety of electives including make-up design, audition technique, resume/headshot design, clowning, music theory, improvisation, musical theatre history, and more
12:00pm – 12:30 Lunch
12:30pm – 2:00pm Company Rehearsals
2:00pm – 3:00pm Surprise
To end each week, we’ll surprise the group with a fun activity like a movie musical on the big screen, a theatre game show for prizes, theatre Olympics, and other fun
ABOUT THE CONSERVATORY
Core Classes
Here’s where we learn the basics – the ABCs of acting, singing, and dancing. But, don’t be misled – you won’t find students sitting at a desk doing book work for four weeks. Instead, our Acting Studio, Voice Studio, Movement Studio, and Page to Stage curriculum will have students begging for more as they learn from our gifted staff in an entirely innovative and entertaining way. In all of our Core
Classes, students will enjoy the highest caliber of arts training available for young people while inspiring creative thinking, self-confidence, and good communication skills.
Students will be grouped by age for their Core Classes. The songs, lyrics, and text used for these classes will be taken from the themes explored in the final production.
Core Class: Acting Studio
Designed to stimulate imagination and creativity, students will work to increase their ability to respond creatively and spontaneously to challenges of stage performance through improvisation, theatre games, role-playing, character analysis, and the development of self-expression.
Skills acquired: characterization, stage presence,
ensemble-building, flexibility, fluency, and creative problem solving techniques
Core Class: Movement
No matter what area of theatre you want to explore – whether acting, singing, dancing, or all of the above – you need a strong understanding of how your body moves in space, how it relates to those around you, and how to control your body to create a safe space while presenting a strong character. Through animal work, dance through time, creative dramatics, and audition prep we’ll build a strong foundation in using our entire body to create our art.
Skills acquired: placement, rhythm, spatial relationships, and body
movement
Core Class: Improvisation
Every actor’s toolbox should include the skills gained in Improvisation. In this core class you’ll learn improv theory, move on to trust exercises, begin the process of teambuilding, and finally enjoy improv exercises and games.
Skills acquired: creating dialogue, oral interpretation, recognizing themes, developing concepts, and building characters
Core Class: Music & Voice
We have so much to pack into this class to make sure you leave ready to nail your next audition as well as navigate music rehearsals once you are cast. From properly preparing sheet music to make it possible for your accompanist to support you during an audition, to understanding how to read your score, this core class will provide a solid understanding of what’s expect of a musical theatre artist during the audition and rehearsal process. Advanced students will be given audition technique and take their understanding of music theory to the next level.
Skills acquired: relaxation, breathing, performance confidence, basic music theory, and musical theatre history
Electives
Students will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of elective classes. Past electives have included stage combat, stage design, make-up, improvisation, dance styles, puppetry, circus arts, and more. The electives will introduce the students to the many elements of theatrical production and the complementary roles of actor, designer, and director.
Auditions
During week one, students will participate in Auditions for the faculty. We will spend time on Day 1 & 2 to work with students on what to prepare for their audition. Students are welcome to use a song from their repertoire. Staff will teach material to the students during the first week that can be used for the Audition. It is important for everyone to remember that these auditions are only introductions; everyone in the conservatory is cast and will have a role in the production.
Rehearsals & Production
Placed in groups with students of all ages, students will participate in rehearsals for their final production. Rehearsals will consist of exploring the themes presented in the text, learning the music, the choreography, and the staging for the production. Students will also have opportunities to participate in designing and building the costumes and scenery for the production, and will have the opportunity to better understand how a theatrical production is marketed and funded as they participate in ticket sales and the promotion of their production.
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Tuition
Our Summer Musical Theater Conservatory including 120 Hours of Instruction plus two live performances
Non-Members: $1145.00. | Members: $1,045
Save $50 when you register and pay in full by 4/30
Payment in full OR a $155 deposit due at the time of enrollment
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Scholarships
A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Please complete our contact form request an application.
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Cancelation Policy
If for any reason enrollment must be canceled or changed, you must advise 3Below in writing.
In accepting an application, 3Below reserves a space for each student and turns away those with an interest for whom there is no more space. Refunds will be provided before May 15 less a $55 administrative fee. After May 15, no refunds will be made for absences or withdrawals for any reason.
3Below shall be made aware of any special needs or limitations of a student. 3Below reserves the right to cancel any enrollment or to dismiss a student whose conduct or behavior is deemed unsatisfactory to the best interests of the program. In this case, no refunds will be made.
3Below reserves the right to cancel any program due to insufficient enrollment.
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Mission
Our mission is to provide students the opportunity to work hand in hand with fellow students and theatre professionals, while simultaneously building wonderful friendships with other students of varying ages and interests. While the experience does present aspiring performers with a unique acting, singing, and dance challenge, the point of the program is not to produce a musical. Instead, it is through the medium of theatre that students experience personal growth, learning and fun.
Guggenheim Entertainment developed this program to ensure students experience theatre dreams, dedication and discipline in a supportive professional atmosphere. However, just as important in our minds is the result that, regardless of acting ability, our students learn to draw on their own resources, becoming “stars” in all their endeavors – including those beyond the stage.
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About
The team that developed this program have been offering educational theatre programming in the Bay Area since 1986. Presented by Guggenheim Entertainment, the Conservatory Staff provides students with over 120 hours of instruction, inspiration, and innovation culminating in a fully mounted musical production. Daily Core Classes focus on building skills and techniques in Basic Acting, Movement, Voice, Theatre History, Script Analysis, and Improvisation. Afternoons are dedicated to rehearsals and technical aspects of mounting a live musical. The program promotes confidence and creative thinking and provides professional instruction in Musical Theatre History, Theory, and Ideology. And just when you thought we couldn’t get anything else into four weeks of learning and fun, students will also enjoy special guest artists, engaging electives, and special surprise activities on the final two days.
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Costume & Make-up
Each student will be asked to provide certain basic elements of their costumes such as pants, a skirt, or a shirt. All specialty and character elements will be provided by the producers. In addition, students will be asked to provide their own tights, socks, undergarments, and/or shoes.
Students will wear basic stage makeup, provided by the student (a handout of what to put in one’s make-up kit will be provided as part of the Conservatory). If more elaborate make-up is determined necessary as part of the theatrical design, a makeup and hair design workshop will be conducted as we draw nearer to production week.
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Showcase Tickets
Every cast member is encouraged to sell a minimum of 10 tickets. Seating is reserved. Each family will be issued two complimentary tickets to one of the two performances within the first six rows. All other ticket sales will be sold and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved Seating will be $15 per person. All guests entering the theatre must have a ticket. We will connect with all parents to issue tickets and explain reserved ticket procedures as we draw nearer to performance time.
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Volunteering
We welcome your participation in this process and are always pleased to involve parents and siblings as we create the final product of the conservatory. If you are interested in participating in production work or serving as an usher, please let us know. Other volunteer positions could include box office, publicity, and more. We will certainly appreciate any help we can get for “strike.” Strike (the dismantling of the set) will take place immediately after the final performance on Thursday night. Just let us know of your interests.
Guggenheim Entertainment, Inc.
at 3Below Theaters
288 South 2nd Street
San Jose, CA
(408) 404-7711
© 2021. All rights reserved.