“The training of young artists is vital. They are critical. They will not only enhance our work, they ARE our work, and my hope is that they will eventually take our place.”

Skip Greer Artist-in-Residence and Director of Education

The Geva Theatre Center Conservatory is devoted to the professional training of theatre artists. We provide opportunities for students to learn more about the craft of theatre by becoming involved in high quality programs led by practicing professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

“What about training for younger students?” or “I can’t find a class in my area of interest.”

At this time, Geva Theatre Center does not offer any theatre classes for participants younger than 12 years old. However, we are constantly evaluating our programming, and appreciate the many members of the greater Rochester community who have requested a variety of additional training opportunities. Click here to be added to our training mailing list.

Summer Academy 2010

The Summer Academy is a five-week professional theatre training program for 30 selected young actors, ages 12 to 18, who wish to explore, define and develop the actor in themselves. Open to students of all levels of theatre experience, Summer Academy provides quality training for the beginning actor, as well as advanced level study for the young actor with previous experience.

Led by Geva's professional artists who are passionate and skilled in working with young actors, courses will include Acting, Improvisation, Voice and Diction, Movement, Monologues, Expansions and Rehearsal/Production. In addition, a weekly Master Class led by a guest instructor or speaker may be included. The program culminates in a showcase of the students' work, on Geva's Mainstage, open to the public. Students will be granted a certificate of completion from the Summer Academy program.

The focus of Summer Academy 2010 will be Contemporary Theatre.  The program will run from July 6 through August 6, with a culminating performance on August 7.

Auditions will be held:
Friday, March 26: 3:00-6:00PM
Saturday, March 27: 10:00AM-4:00PM
Monday, March 29: 3:00PM-6:00PM

Audition appointments may be scheduled beginning on Monday, February 22 by calling 232-1366, x 3035. An audition consists of a one-minute memorized monologue (classical or contemporary). An interview with members of the Summer Academy staff will follow.  Applicants are asked to bring a picture and a resume to the audition.

Download the Summer Academy 2010 Brochure here.
Download the Summer Academy FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) here.

"This was the greatest experience I've ever had. I expected to be challenged -- I didn't expect to be changed as well."

What's Next: Young Writers Showcase

Geva's Literary Department presents an annual showcase of plays written by area teens. This event provides a rare opportunity for young writers to have their works performed by professional actors. Playwrights ages 13-18 are invited to submit short plays, and selected scripts will be given staged readings in the Nextstage. Click here for more information, or contact Jean Gordon Ryon at jryon@gevatheatre.org or (585) 232-1366 ext. 3034.

Career Day (Grades 10-12)

Every spring we provide students from schools around the greater Rochester area with an extensive backstage tour of the theatre, and then a question and answer session with a panel of employees from Geva’s various departments. This event gives students insights into the daily routine at Geva and possible career avenues in the theatre. Career Day provides a wonderful “first step through the door” for young theatre artists.  It sparks their imaginations, and they leave with a greater understanding of all that is required to create art on stage

The 2010 Career Day will be held on March 1 from 9:45AM -12:00 Noon. Career Day is open to students in grades 10-12; participation is free but space is limited. Students interested in attending in Geva’s Career Day must RSVP to the theatre at (585) 232-1366, ext. 3035 by Monday, February 22nd. Students are responsible for communicating with their schools regarding permission to leave classes for the morning

SUNY Brockport Alliance

This program enables Geva's guest artist-educators to come in contact with undergraduates at SUNY Brockport by teaching acting, directing, and playwriting classes at the university, as well as providing guest lecturers. Geva is thrilled to be partnering with SUNY Brockport again for our 2008-2009 season. SUNY Brockport theatre students also have opportunities for auditions and internships with Geva Theatre Center.

Learn more about Theatre at SUNY Brockport here.

Fellowships and Apprenticeships

One Directing Fellow is hired annually; the fellow may direct a production at SUNY Brockport, assistant direct at Geva and rehearse understudies as needed. The 2009-10 Fellow will direct SUNY Brockport's production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. This year’s fellow has been selected. If you are interested in applying for the 2010-11 Directing Fellowship, please send a cover letter and resumé to Skip Greer, Director of Education.

One Literary Fellow is hired for the season, typically for a period of 8-9 months. The Literary Fellowship offers a broad range of experience and opportunities, providing a demanding but rewarding sampling of the responsibilities of an institutional dramaturg and the role of a literary office within a regional theatre. Duties vary but generally include the following:

• assisting with script evaluations, query evaluations and the processing of scripts in the literary office
• assisting with production dramaturgy for Mainstage and Nextstage shows
• providing administrative support for Geva’s annual new play workshop festival
• providing administrative and dramaturgical support for Geva’s annual Regional Writers and Young Writers Showcases.

Please note that the Literary Fellowship has been suspended for the 2009-10 season. Please check back in spring 2010 for further information.

Apprenticeships are available for three young professionals to work as assistant teachers with our five-week Summer Academy program. Most apprentice candidates are college students pursuing a degree in theatre. Priority is given to returning alumni of the Summer Academy program and to SUNY Brockport theatre students. To apply for an apprenticeship position, please send a cover letter and resume to Kathryn Moroney, Associate Director of Education. Applications will be accepted after January 2010; hiring decisions are generally announced in April. You can read more about the program on this page; just clink on the tab labeled “Teens 12-18".

Internships

Most of Geva’s intern positions are filled by students who participate in the Brockport Alliance (see above). However, additional internship positions are occasionally assigned on individual basis. Internship positions at Geva are generally full-time (35-40 hrs. per week) and unpaid, and most internships last for the length of a semester. It may be possible to arrange academic credit through your educational institution.

If you seek experience in a specific area of theatre, please submit your resume and a detailed cover letter describing what type of opportunity you are seeking, what you expect to gain from an internship, and what skills you can contribute to Geva. Internship inquiries should be addressed to Skip Greer, Director of Education.

You may also be looking for:
Current employment opportunities here.
Casting information here.

Can’t find the answer to your question? Please click here to send us an email.

“I know that I am a more confident person now, one who is more ready to take on anything I face.”