The Youth Musical Theater Summer Program is a five-day program for young artists between the ages of 12 and 14 who are passionate about musical theater and want to be challenged to expand their skills within a supportive global community of peers and award-winning faculty.
This program is the perfect introduction for students who have always wanted to give theater a try, as well as those who have already gotten started and wish to advance their craft. The Youth Musical Theater Summer Program is also ideal for those considering one of our high school-level summer programs in the future and want to sample Boston Conservatory’s signature training paced for younger students.
Students should wear movement-friendly clothing (loose shorts and long tee-shirts are fine), including sneakers or flat dance shoes (no flip-flops or sandals). If weather permits, classes may be held outside. Since the air temperature inside the studios may vary, students should dress in layers so that they may adjust to be as comfortable as possible.
At the beginning of the program, students will be given a folder in which to hold their script and should bring their folder to the Conservatory each day. Students are expected to attend all days for the duration of the session.
Below is a list of items students should be prepared to bring:
Refillable water bottle
Dance bag with all of the student's dance shoes and extra clothes
Colored pencils and a sharpener
Healthy snacks
Though not required, students are permitted to bring laptops, computers, tablets, etc. Wireless internet and electrical outlet plugs are provided throughout the campus. Please keep in mind that it is the student’s responsibility to keep their items safe. Boston Conservatory at Berklee is not responsible for the loss of these items.
Sample Curriculum
Each day, students will engage in a variety of fun and inclusive exercises and lessons that will help them develop foundational skills to become collaborative musical theater performers. Specifically, students will explore the areas of acting, singing, dancing, and playwriting within a safe learning environment. All activities are hands-on, and all students are expected to participate fully. Each day will have an energetic “camp-like” feel, including warmups and games, and group discussions, among other things.
Sample Schedule
Monday
Activities
8:45 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Drop-off/Welcome
9:15 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Introductions/Warm-ups
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Dance Class
12:15 p.m.–1: 00 p.m.
*Lunch
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Voice auditions/Acting Workshop
2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Group Music and Text
3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wrap-up
4:00 p.m.
Pick-up
Tuesday
Activities
8:45 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Check-in
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Warm-ups
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Plot and World of the Play
12:15 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
*Lunch
1:00 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Small Groups: Dance, Music, Acting
3:15 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wrap-up
4:00 p.m.
Pick-up
Wednesday–Thursday
Activities
8:45 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Check-in
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Warm-up
10:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Small Groups: Dance, Music, Acting
12:15 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
*Lunch
1:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Stumble/Work-through
3:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wrap-up
4:00 p.m.
Pick-up
Friday
Activities
8:45 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
Check-in
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Warm-ups
10:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Run-through
12:15 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
*Lunch
1:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m.
Warm-ups: Dance, Singing Voice
3:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Sharing with Friends and Family
3:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Closing
4:00 p.m.
Pick-up
Instructors
The program’s faculty is composed of esteemed Boston Conservatory faculty with extensive knowledge and experience working with students in this age range. All of them bring the highest artistic and educational standards to the classroom in an enjoyable and engaging environment, making this program truly exceptional. The 2020 faculty included:
Joy Arcolano, Ed.M., Director
Joy Arcolano is an award-winning actor and teaching artist with more than 20 years of experience helping learners find their voice through theater. An assistant professor in Boston Conservatory’s Theater and Dance divisions, Arcolano teaches Heightened Language, Vocal Physical Connections, and Voice Over. Recognized as a HubWeek ChangeMaker, Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Teaching Partner, Lincoln Center Education Teaching Artist Leader, and Founding Emeritus Chair of Continuing the Conversation at the Harvard Graduate School of Education Arts in Education program, Arcolano strives to combine cutting-edge educational research with the realities of the classroom and studio to instill best practices of theater education in the next generation of theater changemakers. She has directed more than 60 residencies in pre-K–12 public, private, and independent schools as well as at theater companies throughout New England with her company, Playhouse Education. Arcolano trained and taught at both Shakespeare & Company and the New York State Theatre Institute.
Alex Crosette, Ph.D., Musical Director
Alex Crosett has worked extensively with young performers, including cast members from Broadway productions of Fun Home, Finding Neverland, School of Rock, Annie, Pippin, Matilda, Billy Elliot, Newsies, Mary Poppins, Soul Doctor, Big Fish, A Christmas Story, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Shrek the Musical, and many others. His students have appeared on television on The X-Factor, America's Got Talent, American Idol, Norwegian Idol, and Chinese Idol, as well as in the film Into the Woods (2014). Crosette is an assistant professor in the Conservatory’s Theater Division. He has also held teaching positions at Manhattan School of Music, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and several universities. He holds degrees in music and maintains an award-winning private studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Kristen Katsimapas, B.F.A., Choreographer
Kristen Katsimpas is an instructor of theater at Boston Conservatory, specializing in musical theater jazzdance. She is a current company member of BoSoma Dance Company. Prior to teaching at Boston Conservatory, Katsimpas taught dance classes to non-dance majors at the University of Massachusetts Amherst while earning her B.F.A. After graduating, she became a company member of Hyperbole Dance under the direction of Nikki Sell and a dance teacher at the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio. Katsimpas received her early training from Bill Fowler and later from Jeannette Neill’s teen program, Boston Youth Moves (BYM). While training at BYM, she was honored to work with master choreographers Hope Boykin, Kirven Boyd, Chet Walker, Richard Havey, and others.
