“Take it from me, who’s been regularly attending high school musicals
for more than four decades: I’ve never seen the likes of what the
Centenary Young Performers achieve.”
                                  - Peter Filichia, Drama Critic, The Star Ledger

“It’s really fun when I’m dancing.”
                  - Christina Stanton, Age 11

“I enjoyed the teachers and the kids. They were all very nice.”
          - Casey Stone, Age 14

“A most unique program….the Skylands Northwestern NJ
is fortunate indeed to have this quality, theatrical bonanza in its midst.”
     - Skylands Visitor

The first round of interviews for state acclaimed summer youth theatre programs of the Centenary Stage Company will be held on Saturday, Mar 30 at the Centenary Stage Company (CSC) at the Little Theatre on the campus of Centenary College.

About the Summer Intensive Program
CSC’s signature training program, the Young Performers Workshop (YPW) , is a professional musical theatre training program for young people ages 8-18 led by Broadway, film and television veteran Michael Blevins (Chorus Line, Bring back Birdie, Tap Dance Kid) . The YPW, now in its 21st year, has been hailed by the Star Ledger as “a state treasure”, and it offers conservatory-style training in music, theatre and dance, along with special electives such as TV Studio and On-air Radio technique in a 5-week program from July 15th to August 18th . The YPW summer program culminates in an eagerly awaited 10-day festival of shows, including three full-length musical productions and The One Act play festival, in which all students perform.

The YPW Summer Program runs Monday-Friday, from 9am-4:30 pm with a special evening project by invitation of the program director. The cost of the summer program is $995 for the first student and $895 for each additional student.

The YPW summer programs are part of the educational arm of the Centenary Stage Company, a professional Equity theatre in residence at Centenary College under the leadership of award-winning Artistic Director, Carl Wallnau.

Summer Classes
Acting, Tap, Theatre Dance, and Voice/Diction are required. Electives will be offered dependent upon availability and will be determined by program director:

The Curriculum
The classroom curriculum gives students approximately 15 hours of study in acting, singing and dance each week, while allowing students the flexibility to pursue additional areas of interest. Effective performers must learn to use and embrace their own bodies, voices, and minds. All classes stress this awareness as well as the fundamentals of creative expression.

The Production Process
Students have approximately three to six hours of rehearsal daily depending on whether they are attending full-day sessions or evening session. The rehearsals are under the guidance and direction of theatre professionals, and culminate in full-scale musical productions as well as one-act plays presented to the general public during the Summer Festival of Shows, which takes place the last week of the program.

The Staff
The YPW is led by Broadway performer, choreographer, film, and television veteran Michael Blevins. All instructors for the Centenary Young Performers are experienced professionals in the performing arts. The program is under the auspices of the Centenary Stage Company’s Producing Director, Carl Wallnau and Catherine Rust, General Manager. The CSC is an Equity theatre in residence at Centenary College, 400 Jefferson Street, Hackettstown, NJ.

Tommy - Performed by YPW in Summer 2008

1776 performed by YPW May 2006

George M! performed by YPW May 2008

Registration and Selection Procedures
While no prior experience is required, students must complete and interview with program director Michael Blevins before entrance into the program.

To arrange for arrange an interview for the summer 2013 Young Performers Workshop program, call the administrative offices at (908)979-0900.

For more information
To learn more about the programs for the professional Centenary Stage Company, visit more pages on our CSC Web site.