Eric William Morris
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater is excited to introduce Pro Series, a brand-new summer curriculum of specialized courses offered on evenings and Saturdays, for ages 14–18. Participants will hone their craft with unparalleled training from industry pros, expand their network and get the insider tips to jumpstart their theater career.
“We are thrilled to build on our summer programming with the new Pro Series,” says Director of Education Kate Cordaro. “We have assembled a powerhouse group of artists who are particularly exceptional at creating supportive classrooms where students can stretch their abilities and discover new talents. We can’t wait to get started!”
Teaching Artists for the Pro Series include Eric William Morris (Be More Chill original cast, Broadway’s King Long, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Rakesh Palisetty (Hedda Gabler at Lenfest Center for the Arts, A Little Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing at Two River Theater), Lucas Pinner (Teaching Artist, Fight Choreographer working in theaters across NJ) and Elliot Roth (Broadway’s Our Sinatra and A Christmas Carol, voice faculty at Marymount Manhattan College).
In addition to the Pro Series, Two River’s Summer Intensives is back for a not so typical summer theater camp!
Young people (ages 12–17) who want to make theater – to be in the rehearsal room or the scene shop to brainstorm ideas - will learn tangible theater skills from top-notch teaching artists who challenge and bring out the best in them. Backstage and Onstage students work together to create a unique show each week that they perform on Friday night. Teaching Artists for Summer Intensives include Olivia M. Buonsante (Backstage Track Co-Director and experienced lighting designer, programmer, board op, and stage manager), and the aforementioned Rakesh Palisetty (Onstage Track Director), Lucas Pinner (Backstage Track Co-Director) and Elliot Roth (Onstage Track Music Director).
Summer Intensives and Pro Series are accessible to ALL aspiring theater makers. Full and partial need-based scholarships are available. For the application, click here.
Classes for the Pro Series include:
Pro Series: On-Camera For Theater Actors
Taught By Eric William Morris
For Ages 14-18
July 13, 2024 or July 14, 2024
This workshop offers an exciting look at the world of acting on-camera geared specifically for the young creative mind. We start every session by breaking down exactly how a camera works, and how we as actors can work best to communicate through it. We then focus on how to translate what we do onstage into the “frame of the shot.” All participants will get a chance to act on camera, watch their scenes, get feedback, and walk away with a clip of their work. The workshop focuses specifically on the differences between acting for the camera versus acting on stage…and how a few small adjustments can make a big impact.
Pro Series: Scene Study
Taught by Rakesh Palisetty
For Ages 14-18
July 8-10, 2024 & July 15-17, 2024
This session focuses on a disciplined approach to script analysis and its truthful application moment-to-moment. We will be working with scenes from either classics or contemporary realist plays. The students will learn to deepen their interpretation of the scene, improve their understanding of character action and dynamics, as well as develop a better sense for how to collaborate with their scene partner.
Pro Series: Stage Combat
Taught by Lucas Pinner
For Ages 14-18
In the July 13, 2024 Pro Series workshop, participants will be introduced to basic techniques of unarmed, hand-to-hand stage combat. Focusing on how to rehearse and perform fight sequences believably and safely, participants will learn a variety of moves such as punching, slapping, shoving, pulling hair, and falling. By the end, everyone will be able to convincingly engage in a fight, keeping the actor safe while throwing their character into danger.
In the July 20, 2024 Pro Series workshop, participants will be introduced to basic techniques of armed, single sword combat. Participants will learn about the parts of a weapon and proper footwork before moving on to using a sword by attacking with cuts and defending with parries. Safety will be priority in this class, using specially-built weapons that are not sharp or pointed, so that the actors can feel comfortable learning the foundation of combat while still feeling the thrill of a staged duel.
Pro Series: Vocal Audition
Taught By Elliot Roth
For Ages 14-18
July 8–12, 2024 & July 15–19, 2024
In this class we will find a song custom fit for YOU. We will help you with the ins and outs of auditioning; from the moment you walk in the room, how to communicate with your pianist/accompanist, vocal technique and style, story/lyrics and more! Whether you are working towards auditioning for a musical, a school program or show, college, or simply interested in gaining confidence in singing; this class is a way to brush up your skills in a fun, welcoming environment. Share your new audition song in front of an audience on Friday night!
Classes for Summer Intensives include:
Make a show in a week! Each Monday, we start with a theme, a few songs, and some platforms, materials, and lights in an empty theater. Then each Friday, we have a show – written, performed and built entirely by our students. Each week’s performance is unique as it features the specific talents of the people in the room. You won’t find another theater program like it!
Onstage and Backstage Tracks Week 1 | July 8 – July 12
Onstage and Backstage Tracks Week 2 | July 15 – July 19
Classes are Mon–Fri, 9:00am–4:00pm with shows on Friday at 8:00pm
For more information and registration visit, click here.
Two River Theater is supported in part by public support through the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners. Private support includes the Achelis & Bodman Foundation, Citizens Philanthropic Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Helen Clay Frick Foundation, The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Investors Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Manasquan Bank Charitable Foundation, Monmouth University, New Jersey Coast Family Law, OceanFirst Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Springpoint Senior Living Foundation, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, UMAMI Girl, Visiting Nurse Association of NJ Health Group, Zynergy Retirement Planning, and many other generous foundations, corporations and individuals.
Two River Theater produces American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we serve over 20,000 students, families and community members through our 4-6 show season, and 40+ events that reflect our diverse community of Monmouth County. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater. In 2020 we expanded our campus to 80,000 square feet with the opening of the Center for New Work, Education and Design. Two River Theater has commissioned and premiered original projects including Be More Chill by Tony Award nominee Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz (the theater’s first Broadway production) and Hurricane Diane by former Playwright-in-Residence Madeleine George (which won an Obie Award for its Off-Broadway run), and in June 2019, Two River was nationally recognized by USA TODAY as one of “10 great places to see a play.” Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director Justin Waldman and Managing Director Nora DeVeau-Rosen.
