RFH: Two River Theater Looking for Metro Scholars

Heads up l theater students, this one's for you.

has put out a call for applications to its Metro Scholars program, a year-long chance for high school juniors - current sophomores - from across the state to be a part of the work at the theater. The program is free for participating students and is accepting applications through May 2.

“The Metro Scholars program engages a wide range of students with many different interests, but who all want to learn about the professional theater,” Kate Cordaro, Two River’s Director of Education, said in a statement. “Many of our past Metro Scholars have gone on to attend some of the country’s best training programs and pursue a career in the performing arts; others just enjoy the creative opportunities of working behind the scenes. All of the students make a significant contribution to Two River during their time here, and enjoy the benefits of conversations with artists, learning from theater professionals, and being part of the daily work of the theater.”

Metro Scholars assist theater staff in several departments like Artistic, Development, Marketing and Production. In addition to seeing every show at Two River for free, the students participate in moderated conversations following each production, and take specially designed master classes with professionals working at the theater, the release states.

In 2011-12, the Metro Scholar master classes included workshops on Shakespeare with classical actor Michel Cumpsty, who played Benedick in Two River’s production of Much Ado About Nothing; creating a solo theater piece with Nilaja Sun, the writer and performer of No Child…; analyzing the plays of August Wilson with Kamilah Forbes, the assistant director of Jitney; and “acting a song” with Chuck Cooper, star of both Jitney and the new musical In This House. In connection with the theater’s holiday show, the Metro Scholars explored props, puppetry, and family theater with teaching artist Morgan Eckert. 

Interested students should write a statement of purpose, submit a recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor, and take part in an audition and interview focused on one of several categories, including acting, design, or technical theater/stage management. Details about the applications requirements are available on http://www.trtc.org/education/metro_scholars.php

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. Auditions and interviews will take place on Wednesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 10 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Applicants will be notified vie email to schedule a specific audition date and time.

In addition to the Metro Scholars program, the release says, Two River Theater offers numerous education initiatives for students from grades K-12 that introduce young people to the theater and foster opportunities for them to engage with artists. Affiliated teaching artists help support academic achievement through classroom residencies, and productions created by students are regularly performed at Two River before audiences of invited guests, the public, and their peers. To support a new generation of theater-goers, Two River offers discounted or subsidized tickets for youth to attend its productions. The theater also contributes to the growth of the field through innovative training opportunities for young people and emerging artists.