Young Artist Program

Arkansas Repertory Theatre offers two summer programs as part of its Summer Musical Theater Intensive (SMTI) training program for aspiring young artists in Arkansas.

The Summer Musical Theater Intensive, under the direction of Nicole Capri, The Rep’s Resident Director and Director of Education, is an intensive, audition-based theatre training program designed exclusively for motivated young artists who are serious about the arts and musical theatre.

The SMTI staff is comprised of professional directors, choreographers, musicians and designers. Daily rehearsals are structured similarly to a professional summer stock experience and include instruction in musical theatre techniques, multi-media, costume and stage make-up, dance and vocal coaching. Each session involves intensive daily rehearsals culminating in a public workshop performance of a selected musical or musical revue.

The summer production is then refined, recast and remounted in the fall on The Rep Main Stage for patrons of all ages, and remains one of the most popular productions at the theatre each season.

FIRST SESSION:
For aspiring actors and actresses ages 16 - 23

SECOND SESSION:
For young actors and actresses ages 10 - 15

TUITION: Tuition for the program is $575. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to those who qualify. Scholarship applications will be available at auditions.

AUDITIONS:
Candidates will be asked to prepare a one minute monologue and 16 bars of a song (an accompanist will be provided). Those auditioning may also be asked to return for an additional movement and callback audition. Between 40 - 60 cast members are selected for each session. Each year's program is audition-based. Participation in a previous year’s program does not guarantee admission.

SUMMER SMTI PERFORMANCES:
Senior Session (Ages 15-23) will be held July 7-July 20, 2013 with final performances on Saturday, July 20, 2013.
Junior Session (Ages 10-14) will be held July 21-August 3, 2013 with final performances on Saturday, August 3, 2013.

THE VICTORYA VAN-PELT SCHOLARSHIP TRUST

The Victorya Van-Pelt Scholarship Trust is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity was established by friends of Victorya Van-Pelt, a talented college freshman at Drake University, who passed away from a respiratory illness September 6th, 2009. Her voice was unparalleled and her talents were displayed at churches, schools and in the theatre. Victorya excelled academically, grew theatrically and was the President of the 2009 class of Parkview High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was one of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s Young Artists who participated in the Summer Musical Theatre Intensive (“SMTI), where she truly served as a spirtual advisor to other young artists in the program. Her friends have joined together to honor her memory by establishing this scholarship trust to provide scholarships on an annual basis of as much as $1,000 to Arkansas high school students who are college bound and will study the performing arts.

Click here to download the application.

AUDITIONS

Auditions appointments will be accepted by email only starting Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

2013 AUDITION DATES

Friday, March 1, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013

Appointments will be scheduled between 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1 and between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.

CALLBACKS

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Callbacks will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 3. Applicants will be notified by mail of acceptance within three weeks of auditions.

SCHEDULING AN AUDITION

Auditions are scheduled by email only. Email education@therep.org to schedule an audition appointment. The following information must be included in your email:

Name
Age and Grade
Email
Phone number
Full mailing address
Preferred Audition Date

Audition appointments will be accepted starting January 15, 2013.
Email education@therep.org to schedule an audition appointment.