KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 6, 2021

High school students welcomed back for in-person immersion in the arts

Kennesaw State University College of the Arts is once again opening its doors to high school students for a weeklong immersion in the arts, June 7-11. Students may choose from acting, dance, or musical theatre, or choose from two new offerings this year: percussion or theatre design and technology. All offerings run from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. and include lunch for only $295, except for the Percussion Intensive, which runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (no lunch) and is only $195. Attendance is very limited this year, so interested students should register as early as possible.  

Dr. Ivan Pulinkala, Dean of the College of the Arts said, “We are delighted to invite high school students back to campus once again to experience a full week of in-person instruction from our faculty. The Summer Arts Intensives are a great way for high school students to experience what it might be like to attend KSU and major in the arts.”

Theatre buffs may have a hard time choosing between the three offerings from the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. Acting will be taught by accomplished professional theatre artists of KSU’s award-winning performance faculty and distinguished guest artists. Training is centered on the actor's approach to auditioning, including core acting work, technique and professional insights into casting processes. The five-day session will culminate in a performance project at the end of the week.

Students who are serious about honing the necessary skills to perform in musical theatre on the collegiate level will want to attend the Musical Theatre Intensive. Acting, dance, and vocal skills workshops will be led by KSU faculty and local professionals. The Intensive will also focus on audition techniques and each participant will walk away with new, personalized audition material. The highlight of the week will be a musical theatre presentation performed by the workshop participants.

Any show would not be possible without the support of the crew making the magic happen offstage. New this year, the Theatre Design and Technology Intensive will cover different aspects of working backstage, including scenic, costume, lighting, props and sound. Students will work in the various shops, theaters, and classroom spaces. The session will culminate in a final showcase day in collaboration with the Acting and Musical Theatre Intensives. 

Dance students, too, will have a performance at the end of their Intensive, as they will perform choreography repertory staged by faculty. Always the most popular intensive offered, the Dance Intensive is designed for students who want the opportunity to experience technical and artistic growth in an environment that fosters creativity and learning. Led by KSU Dance professors, students will experience a myriad of dance classes, such as modern, ballet, African, jazz, choreography, and dance history. The Department of Dance also offers incentive scholarships every year to outstanding high school seniors who attend the intensive. 

Music students who love percussion will want to attend the brand-new Percussion Intensive from the Bailey School of Music. The half-day program, led by John Lawless and Michael Stubbart, will include sectionals each day as well as full percussion ensemble rehearsals. The faculty will also present clinics covering timpani, snare drum, mallet instruments, accessories, and hand drumming. The week will culminate Friday with a concert on stage in Morgan Hall in the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center.

Attendance at all of the intensives is very limited, so interested students should register as early as possible. Learn more about the College of the Arts.

--Kathie Beckett