RED BANK – Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, is accepting applications through Wednesday, May 2 for its Metro Scholars program, a year-long opportunity for high school students to be part of the work of Two River Theater.
The program, which is free for participating students, is open to current high school sophomores who will be juniors during the 2012-13 school year.
“The Metro Scholars program engages a wide range of students with many different interests, but who all want to learn about the professional theater,” said Kate Cordaro, Two River’s Director of Education. “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.”
Each season, the Metro Scholars assist Two River Theater’s staff in departments including 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.
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.
To apply, interested students should write a statement of purpose, submit a recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor, and take part in an audition/interview focused on one of the following categories: acting, design, or technical theater/stage management. Details about the applications requirements are available on 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 to 8 p.m. Applicants will be notified vie email to schedule a specific audition date and time.
