2012 Teaching Artist Training Recap

This past January The Young Company held its annual Teaching Artist Training bootcamp! It was a vigorous, exciting, and educational week where the Young Company teaching artist members rehearsed and refined the curriculum implemented in schools throughout the 5 boroughs of NYC.

The Young Company teaching artists are comprised not only of Columbia University MFA actors, but also with a diverse group of theatre professionals who have worked with some of the most renowned theatre companies around the United States! While each teaching artist brings their own experience with them, their common bond is a passion for Shakespeare and especially for sharing that passion with students!

Much Ado Rehearsals Begin!

The auditions are over, the actors have been cast, and the day finally arrived…

Monday was the first rehearsal for The Young Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing!

This is always an exciting day for any production, as it is usually the first time the entire creative team is assembled to begin the hard work required to mount a play. Usually, the first rehearsal consists of a read through. This means that the actors, designers, stage manager, and director sit around a table and read the play in its entirety. Typically the design team (set, lighting, costumes, etc...) will explain their plans for the production at the first rehearsal as well. For example, the set designer may show a model of the set and the costume designer may bring in sketches of the costumes. This helps the actors visualize the setting they will be in, and helps them make acting choices that are in line with the director’s approach for the play.

For instance, the setting of our production of Much Ado About Nothing is in New Orleans during the 1920s!

Over the next few weeks, we will be updating you with rehearsal updates so you can have a front row seat to the process. Stay tuned!!

"Creeping like snail, unwillingly to school..."

It's back-to-school time, and we here at CSC are gearing up for this season's YC production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING!

"But the show's not until March," you might be thinking. "What are they possibly working on this early?"

Just last week we had our first meeting with the current third-year MFA Acting students at Columbia University to fill them in on the audition process for MUCH ADO, and to answer their questions about becoming teaching artists with the YC.

We also put together a brand-new brochure that was mailed to schools just this week… teachers, keep your eyes peeled!

Now it’s on to creating this year’s study guide and workshop curriculum. The feedback from past participants has been super helpful – thanks to everyone who contributed their thoughts and ideas.

Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got work to do…