Alaska Theatre of Youth returns to UAA for Summer Conservatory 2024
Contributed by Christine Cook
After a 20-year hiatus, the Alaska Theatre of Youth (ATY) is thrilled to announce the return of its Summer Conservatory Theatre camps to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Fine Arts Building in summer 2024.
ATY, founded in 1983 by the late John Goldring, began as a pilot project at McLaughlin Youth Correctional Center, where workshops were taught on playwriting using raw materials from interviews and personal experiences of students. Now in its 41st season, ATY offers a variety of programs, including Drama Center classes, year-round camps, school workshops, intensives, MainStage performances, Mastery Series, and PlayLab.
The Alaska Theatre of Youth prioritizes providing a safe environment where young people can develop, implementing programming that raises the self-esteem of the children involved, teaching young people new ways to effectively communicate ideas and goals, teaching skills that will help young people succeed in life no matter what occupation they choose, and finally, providing an opportunity to foster artistic and creative urges in all people.
Over the past 20 years, ATY has housed its summer programs in various locations and is overjoyed to be taking over the UAA Fine Arts Building once again. The facilities feature three stages on which ATY youth will get to play and perform: the Mainstage Theatre, a thrust-style stage that seats up to 185 patrons; the Harper Studio Theatre, a black box theatre seating 68; and the UAA Fine Arts Recital Hall, a beautiful concert hall supplemented with color-changing LED lighting that can seat 200. The building also boasts lobby spaces, classrooms, and a nearby trail system.
In summer 2024, ATY will present seven shows with participants in six different Summer Conservatory programs. The camps include Music Theatre Conservatory, Acting Conservatory, Triple Threat Camp and Triple Threat Intensive, and Fairytale Camps 1 & 2. Participants will engage in a curriculum of classes, including dance, movement, voice, acting, character development, stage combat, costuming, circus skills, technical theatre, and of course, rehearsing for the final performance. Kids will also enjoy classic camp activities, including Wednesday Parties, 80’s prom, karaoke, photo scavenger hunts, ATY Field Days, and getting outside daily in the beautiful parks and trails. Final performances are open to the public.
Participants love making new friends and spending their days immersed in imagination and the shoes of their characters. “Summer Conservatory is such a fun place to spend my summer! Best of all, we get to be in a show! But I also love spending the summer hanging out with my theatre friends,” says one participant.
Conservatory programs run from May 28 to August 9, with varying camp lengths ranging from one to four weeks and youth ages 5-18. Beginning and advanced actors, singers, and dancers are welcome. There is something for everyone! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to be a part of the Alaska Theatre of Youth's Summer Conservatory Theatre camps.