RLTP Announces Two Summer Programs Designed For Ages 11-19

Pursuant to Road Less Traveled Production's (RLTP's) mission to engage a new and youthful audience in the Western New York (WNY) theatergoing community and in connection with its ongoing Education Initiative, RLTP today announced the launch of The RLTP Summer Institute, a unique summer program for young people interested in exploring and developing abilities as theatre artists.

"The RLTP Summer Institute is designed to inspire a young generation of budding theatre artists," said RLTP Literary Director Jon Elston, "and to prepare them both for higher education in the field of Theatre and for work opportunities in the Theatre industry."

The inaugural session of the Summer Institute will offer two classes beginning in July 2013: Summer Fundamentals (intended for students ages 11-16) and Audition Preparation & Scene Study (for students ages 16-19). Both classes will be held at the Road Less Traveled Theater in the Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre (MAFAC), located at 639 Main Street, in Downtown Buffalo, NY's Historic Theatre District.

"Summer Fundamentals is a comprehensive introduction to Theatre and Drama, providing instruction in solo and ensemble acting, theatre history, storytelling, and design fundamentals," said Elston. "Students will split each day of this intensive three-week summer session between active skill-building exercises and Master Classes hosted by some of Buffalo's most seasoned theatre professionals, including RLTP Ensemble members."

Summer Fundamentals students will learn about voice, movement, improvisation, styles of acting, characterization, rehearsal techniques, and working in a group, as well as be introduced to concepts of theatre history, direction, design, and playwrighting, all through acting exercises, theatre games, and mini-projects. Two sessions of this three-week-long, Monday-Thursday program will be offered (one in July, one in August); both sessions will culminate in a final presentation, in which students contribute to the conception and execution of a short, dramatic production for an audience of family and friends.

"Audition Preparation & Scene Study is an advanced course for slightly older and more experienced students," ages 16 through 19, said Elston, and is designed to "help them develop and improve skills essential to auditioning, both academically and professionally." Audition Preparation & Scene Study students will learn to present highly effective, polished, and impressive audition pieces and learn to efficiently read, analyze, and interpret scenes for cold reads. It is a six-week course meeting every Monday.

Summer Institute faculty will include Elston, who, in addition to serving as RLTP Literary Director, is the co-founder of RLTP, as well as the founder and moderator of RLTP's Emanuel Fried New Play Workshop, through which he has helped develop plays and playwrights alike since 2005. Elston also is a Theatre Arts instructor at Niagara County Community College. Steve Brachmann, a local actor, stage manager, and director who is a Project Coordinator for RLTP, also will instruct. Elston and Brachmann will be joined by some of WNY's most prominent and respected theatre artists, including members of RLTP Ensemble, who will provide Master Class instruction as well as offer feedback and guidance to the students.

RLTP is currently enrolling students in the Summer Institute. Interested parents and guardians can obtain more information by e-mailing institute@roadlesstraveledproductions.org, visiting www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org, or calling (716) 629-3069.