ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

The Southington Youth Summer Theater program is a comprehensive theater program for Southington students entering grades 3-12. All students should be able to supply a copy of a recent report card as proof of residency and grade level if necessary.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Southington Youth Summer Theater program is to offer quality theater education and positive theater experiences for Southington's children and young adults.

CORE CONCEPTS of Southington Youth Summer Theater

• 1. TEAMWORK- Onstage and Offstage

  2. COMMITMENT- Attendance, Learning Lines, Music, and Dances

  3. CONFIDENCE- In rehearsal and performance

  4. PRESENCE- In action and at rest

  5. TECHNIQUE/ARTISTRY/CRAFT - Projection, Vocal Quality, Character Development, and Specificity of Movement

  6. RESPONSIBILITY

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Junior Program

Entering Grade 3 (Current 2nd graders)

Purpose: The Junior program will focus on TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT and CONFIDENCE through the learning and performance of musical theater numbers. Through working with the Juniors director and the Spotlights program, students will learn the basics of musical theater performance and will gain confidence through theater activities and games.

The Worklights Program

Grades 4-5 (Current 3rd and 4th graders)

Purpose: The Worklights program will focus on TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT, CONFIDENCE and RESPONSIBILITY. Through theatre games and activities, participants learn the basics of theatre to produce a 60 minute workshop musical. Though this experience, all participants should understand that theatre is a collaborative art which requires dedication from everyone involved and that each person is responsible for his/her own part in order to improve the quality of the whole. 

The Footlights Program

Grades 6-8

Purpose: CONFIDENCE AND PRESENCE are the primary focus of the Footlights Program. Building upon TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT and RESPONSIBILITY, participants will expand their theatre knowledge by putting on a full length musical play. Through rehearsal and theatre games, participants are taught to both physically and vocally inhabit their given character. By 8th grade all participants should be able to fully engage in a performance without dropping character. Responsibility includes maintaining one's script, attending program daily and participating fully.

The Spotlights Program

Grades 9-12

Purpose: With TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT, RESPONSIBILITY, CONFIDENCE, and PRESENCE as their foundation, the Spotlights Program is able to focus on ARTISTRY. Informed by requested audition feedback, participants are encouraged to set personal goals. Through rehearsal and theatre games, participants are given specific instruction on vocal technique, character development, and movement and dancing. By 12th grade all participants should be able to embody all five concepts during rehearsals and performance. Responsibility increases in the autonomous nature of this program - older performers become responsible for their own costumes and props in addition to maintaining their scripts and being present.

It is the hope of SYST that the concepts of TEAMWORK, COMMITMENT, CONFIDENCE, PRESENCE, RESPONSIBILITY and ARTISTRY remain instilled in our youth so that they may apply them as citizens of Southington and beyond.

PROGRAM DATES 

The SPOTLIGHTS program will include Grades 9-12. Performances of the Spotlights show will be on July 25 and 26. The program will run Monday-Friday 9:00-3:00 starting June 23.

Cost $300

Show: TBA

The FOOTLIGHTS will include Grades 6-8. Performances of the Footlights show will be on July 18 and 19. The program will run Monday-Friday 9:00-2:00 starting June 24.

Cost $250

Show: TBA

The WORKLIGHTS will include Grades 4-5. Performances will be on July 11 and 12. The program will run Monday-Friday starting June 23, 9:00-1:30

Cost $200

Show: TBA

The JUNIORS will include Grade 3. Performances will be on July 11 and 12. The program will run Monday-Friday starting June 30, 9:00-11:00

Cost $150

Show: TBA

ATTENDANCE POLICIES - Please read before registering!

FOOTLIGHTS/SPOTLIGHTS ATTENDANCE POLICY:

The workshop requires commitment, dedication and a team effort.  DAILY ATTENDANCE IS MOST IMPORTANT!!  We must be informed in advance of all vacation days or activities which would require absence from rehearsals because this will affect scheduling and casting.  Students who will miss any more than one week are INELIGIBLE for either program. 

SPOTLIGHTS – Be aware that the daily program runs for FIVE WEEKS.  A student who is going to be away for a week will NOT be considered for a significant role.  A student who goes away without telling the staff in advance will be REMOVED from a significant role.

FOOTLIGHTS – Be aware that the daily program runs for FOUR WEEKS – to miss a week for vacation is to miss 25% of the program.  A student who is going to be away will NOT be considered for a significant role.  A student who goes away without telling the staff in advance will be REMOVED from a significant role.

SPOTLIGHTS/FOOTLIGHTS – If a child misses the program for vacation, it cannot be assumed that he/she can “make up” missed work.  The rehearsal schedule is tight and once something has been taught, it is nearly impossible to fit in the time to teach it to someone who was not there.  If a child is missing from the learning of a dance or scene, it is likely that he/she will not have an opportunity to be added after the fact.  As always, it is our goal to include as many students as possible in as much of the show as possible.  However, when students are missing from the ensemble, it is very difficult to “pretend” they are there when blocking dances and scenes.  Because of past difficulties in managing absences due to vacation, we feel that it is necessary to enforce this policy and to make everyone aware of it before registering.

***Students who must attend summer school for any portion of the summer are ineligible for the Summer Theater Workshop.

WORKLIGHTS

Because of the developmental nature of this program, we prefer that students attend every single day but we understand that things come up.  However, if a student misses a day and a great deal of content has been covered, it is possible that he/she will not be able to be in the song/scene that was taught during the absence because there is limited time.  We ask that if your child will miss more than two days that you refrain from registering for this program.

JUNIORS

Because of the developmental nature of this program, we prefer that students attend every single day.  If you are unable to commit to the full program we ask that you reconsider registering. If a student misses a day and a great deal of content has been covered, it is possible that he/she will not be able to be in the song/scene that was taught during the absence because there is limited time.  

CONTACT US: sysummertheater@gmail.com

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! 

https://www.facebook.com/SYSummerTheater/