Conservatory Programs
&
Performing Ensembles
**conservatories/performing ensembles are a full year commitment. See registration policies for second semester registration and billing information.

As students mature and gain greater facility in the craft of theatre, music theatre, dance or filmmaking, Imagination Stage takes them through technique to production. Conservatories and ensembles are by-audition and include a one or two year commitment to intensive, preprofessional training. Conservatories and ensembles are designed for students who have demonstrated a commitment to their craft as performers and who have shown potential in their talent and positive attitude in their work. Students work with professional actors, directors, designers and academics in the Washington, DC area. Programs culminate in a fully realized production (with the exception of Dance Conservatory which presents in a recital format).

Acting Conservatory
(GRADES 6–9)
Now in its seventh year, the Acting Conservatory is a two year commitment for students entering grades 6–9. Preliminary work includes the fundamentals of acting, voice and movement using classical and contemporary monologue and scene work, with a full scale dramatic production taking place in the final semester. Acceptance to the program is by audition and interview.

Auditions for new students (Freshman)
will be held Summer 2008, contact David Markey for details.

Musical Theatre Conservatory
(GRADES 7–10)
Musical Theatre Conservatory is designed as a two-year intensive training opportunity. Students work with two musical theatre artists. Preliminary work includes fundamentals of acting, interpretation of lyrics and music, vocal production and movement. The conservatory participates in “characterdriven” vocal and dance technique. Each semester concludes with an informal Open Classroom where conservatory members present works-in-progress (i.e. scenes or monologues into songs, singing or rehearsing a scene as an ensemble). The conservatory begins rehearsals for a fully-produced musical production in Imagination Stage’s Studio Theatre during their final semester. Acceptance to the program is by audition AND interview.

Auditions for new students will be held December 2008/ January 2009, come back to the website for details.

Dance Conservatory
(GRADES 6–8)
Now in its fourth year, the Dance Conservatory is an intensive two-year, dance training program. Focusing on the essential dance styles of ballet, jazz, tap and modern, the goal of the program is to give students the tools to develop well-rounded dance performance skills. A graduation performance at the end of the second year includes group pieces to display technical ability and solo pieces revealing each student’s individual style and expression. Acceptance to the program is by audition and interview.

Auditions for new students will be held in Summer 2008, see website for details or contact Veronia Farkas directly. Students who are interested in auditioning are encouraged to take the Dance Conservatory Audition Prep class in the spring.

Filmmaking Conservatory
This senior level course is for dedicated film students who can commit to a year-long program where an education in advanced filmmaking techniques is integrated into a hands-on film project. Each film will have one director who works with the class/ crew in development and production, and all students individually edit the project to its completion. The Filmmaking Conservatory works on developing and refining critical filmmaking skills with emphasis on camera movement, visual directing and working with actors to understand the ‘actor’s process’. Acceptance to the program is by interview only.

New student interviews will be held Summer 2008, see website for details.

Imagination Stage Dance Ensemble (ISDE)
(GRADES 9–12)
In its sixth year, this intensive training ensemble is recommended for experienced students in Grades 9–12 with a strong foundation in dance. The ensemble incorporates advanced technique work including tap, jazz, ballet and modern. A variety of guest artists lead specialty workshops. The spring semester culminates in an original work choreographed in part by the students themselves, and performed at Imagination Stage and a regional festival performance. NOTE: this class meets twice per week. Acceptance is by audition and interview.

All Dance Ensemble students must enroll in the Rep Class as well.

Auditions for new students will be held in May and Summer 2008, see website for details.
Students who are interested in auditioning are encouraged to take the Dance Ensemble Prep class in the spring.

Speak-Out on Stage
(GRADES 4–12)
This innovative and exciting program is now in its fourth
year! Speak-Out on Stage gives young artists a voice and a forum for issues that are important to them. Young artists are risk-takers with a passion to share their experiences and their ideas, to create a dramatic and insightful new work. This is your chance to Speak-Out about what’s important to you! Act, sing and dance what you feel.

Speak-Out on Stage Junior Ensemble
(grades 4–6) is in the midst of creating an entirely original
musical. From September through December, the ensemble worked side-byside with a drama instructor, playwright AND composer on acting and musical theatre performance skills, while collaborating on the script, the score and the lyrics fortheir original musical.

Speak-Out on Stage Auditions are in early September. See home page for details or contact your mentor.

Video clip from SOOS 2007

Speak-Out on Stage Senior Ensemble
(grades 7–11) work with two teaching artists building their acting, voice and movement skills, while creating the characters and script for their original play. Performance dates and times available online.

Speak-Out on Stage Auditions are in early September. See home page for details or contact your mentor.


Pegasus Company
(AGES 13–18)
The Pegasus Ensemble acting troupe presents original
monologues and music in Imagination Stage’s Studio
Theatre. New students interested in joining the ensemble in September 2008 must meet with the director of Arts Access and the director of the company prior to registration.

Go to Access Programs for more information

Conservatories & Ensembles meet one week prior to the regularly scheduled first day of classes.

Questions?
Contact your mentor:

Acting Conservatory
David Markey
301-280-1646
dmarkey@imaginationstage.org
Filmmaking Conservatory
David Stern
301-280-1649
digitalmedia@imaginationstage.org
Dance Conservatory
Veronika Farkas
301-280-1643
vfarkas@imaginationstage.org
Musical Theatre Conservatory
Kierstie Whitehead
301-280-161621
kwhitehead@imaginationstage.org
Speak-out on Stage
Nikki Kaplan
301.280.1624
nkaplan@imaginationstage.org
Dance Ensemble (ISDE)
Veronika Farkas
301-280-1643
vfarkas@imaginationstage.org

Imagination Stage
Students learn

• Advanced technical skills in their area of specialty
• Performance skills
• Collaboration & Ensemble skills
• A global perspective of theatre and society
• Critical thinking & problem solving