Youth Programs: Young Performers

Grades 7 + 8

Experiment with the building blocks of performance through weekly classes in improvisation, observation, and exploration into character development, monologues, poetry, speeches, audition pieces, and scene study.

Learn through the audition, rehearsal, and performance process.  Voice and movement, expressive arts techniques, mindfulness, concentration, and relaxation, as well as theater/acting games, serve as our foundational warm-ups, explorations, and techniques in each class.

Writing, observing film clips, and voice-over acting will also be a part of the class exploration and discussion.

Experience the importance of collaboration and ensemble work as well as identifying and developing individual talents and skills.

Working with the Young Actors instructor / mentor / director, you will learn fundamental acting techniques, styles, and skills. Script choices are made from age-appropriate youth theatre repertoire and created by members of the class with direction and mentorship by the instructor.

This class culminates in final performance projects drawn from original, classic, and contemporary works.

Typical Day - 2024

• Each day will begin with a group warm-up, and improv exercises.
• In the morning, students will receive instruction and coaching in Movement, Voice, Speech, Acting and Improvisation, fostering imagination, creative process, and observation skills.

• Lunch break with their Teaching Assistants is usually eaten outside to enjoy the beautiful green space at Purchase College. This is a great time to re-charge for the afternoon by relaxing and hanging out with new friends!

• Afternoons are spent enhancing skills and rehearsing for the end of session performance. Students will dive deeper into the learning, creating, and rehearsing through the use of scenes and monologue.
• At the end of each day, there will be another short time for relaxation and reflection to allow for integration of the day’s activities.

Program Details

YTH 9157 / Young Performers
Session II: July 1 - 12*   (No classes Thurs & Fri , July 4 + 5)

Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (8 sessions)

$995 for the first registration
$895 for the second registration in the family, Purchase

College employees and alumni, and early registrations (paid in full by May 3, 2024)

For a well-rounded summer, combine Young  Performers with Young Artists  and/or Young Filmmakers to maximize your creative experience.

Special Instructions

• Please dress appropriately for class each day. Wear comfortable clothes that are appropriate for dance and fluid movement. Dance shoes or sneakers are required.
  Short skirts/shorts and dresses are not recommended.  Preferred are dance pants, leggings, or neat sweat pants with layered tops (t-shirts, sweaters/sweatshirts). The AC can be very cold at times and some portions of the day are spent outside for fresh air, sunlight and change of scenery. 
• Please have long hair pulled back with hair-bands, barrettes, or clips.
• Refillable water bottles are recommended.
• All students will be provided with the necessary supplies.

Student Performance

At the end of the two-week session, students will perform memorized scenes for invited family and friends. They will be asked to provide minimal costume suggestions and simple props. The performance will be done without a set, sound, or stage lighting in order to feature the actors’ work, showcase the student’s skills and celebrate their creative talent!

Instructor