TYA Professional Training Program
Teaching Young Artists (TYA) is Drama Learning Center’s Professional Training program. Available by audition only, TYA is comprised of four main programs: Senior Company, Junior Company, Summer Musical Theatre Intensive, and Scholars. TYA’s Senior Company produces two full-length shows each season, while Junior Company produces one full-length musical and a skills-based audition prep session. Summer Intensive students work at an accelerated pace to produce a summer mainstage show in just three weeks while participating in professional development activities. TYA Scholars work individually with artistic leadership to prepare for collegiate auditions.
TYA FAQsTYA Senior Company
TYA Senior Company allows students to work in a professional theatre environment as they learn about all aspects of theatrical work in a college preparatory atmosphere with individualized instruction. In addition to rehearsing for the productions, classwork includes dramaturgy research, character development, ensemble building, and audition skill growth. Alums of the program have studied (or are currently studying) at such prestigious institutions as: Catholic University of America, Elon University, James Madison University, Marymount Manhattan, NYU Tisch, University of the Arts, University of Maryland, Rider University, Wagner College and others. The program is a tuition-based college prep course with limited scholarship/tuition assistance available to candidates who qualify.
TYA Senior Company Fall/Winter 2019
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder *AREA PREMIERE*
Eligible Grades: 9-12, TYA Alums, and College Students
Book & Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman
Music & Lyrics by Steven Lutvak
Based on a Novel by Roy Horniman
When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a more ghoulish (and rapid) rise to the top. Follow Monty through this murderous romp filled with unforgettable music and non-stop laughts to see if he can become the ninth Earl of Highhurst. A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder was the most-nominated show of the 2014 season with ten Tony nominations, seven Drama Desk Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, and one Drama League Award.
Directed by Stephanie Lynn Williams
Music Direction by Tiffany Underwood Holmes
Rehearsal and Performance Dates
Callbacks: October 8-13 by appointment
Classes: Saturdays, 2-5pm AND additional days of the week based on cast availability. Please see sample rehearsal schedule in FAQ and provide a full list of all known weekday and weekend conflicts at auditions.
Rehearsal Period: October 20 – January 5 (no classes during Winter Break)
Dress Rehearsals: January 6-11
Performances: January 12-20 with possible extension to January 26th
Mandatory Jury Day: February 5th, 2pm
Tuition: 3 payments of $225 ($50 discount if paid in full at start of session). For need-based scholarship consideration, please bring a letter outlining the amount requested to the audition.
Past TYA productions include: Urinetown, Heathers the Musical: High School Edition, Cry-Baby*, Hands on a Hardbody*, Parade, First Date*, Bring It On the Musical, Carrie the Musical*, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Ghost the Musical*, Side Show, Songs for a New World, Legally Blonde*, Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Hairspray, Fame, 13 the Musical, and many more!
*Area Premiere
TYA Junior Company
Junior Company is an opportunity for upper-level students with Senior Company aspirations to further develop skills in audition preparation, harmony singing, character development, and more. Junior Company members produce a full length musical in the Fall/Winter session and participate in a skills-based audition prep class in the Winter/Spring. Students who excel throughout the year will be invited to participate in a special Spring workshop which will include being featured as an ensemble member in select scenes of TYA Senior Company’s production in June. (It is recommended that Junior Company students participate in DLC Fall and Spring production classes to supplement their learning)
TYA Junior Company Fall/Winter 2019
Disney’s Freaky Friday *AREA PREMIERE*
Eligible Grades: 6-12
Book by Bridget Carpenter
Music by Tom Kitt
Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Based on the Novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers and the Disney films
When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. By spending a day in each other’s shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another’s struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter. The new musical based on the beloved 1972 novel features music and lyrics from the Pulitzer Prize-winning team behind Next to Normal and If/Then.
Directed by Megan Henderson Lowcher
Music Direction by Dustin Merrell
Callbacks: October 28 & 29
Classes: Sundays, 6-8:30pm and/or Mondays, 6-8:30pm PLUS additional days of the week based on cast availability. Please see sample rehearsal schedule in FAQ and provide a full list of all known conflicts at auditions..
Rehearsal Period: October 28 – January 27 (no classes during Winter Break)
Dress Rehearsals: January 28-31
Performances: February 1-3 & Tuesday, February 5 (10 am matinee)
Mandatory Jury Day: February 5, 2 pm
Tuition: 3 payments of $200 ($50 discount if paid in one installment) For need-based scholarship consideration, please bring a letter outlining the amount to the audition.
TYA SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The TYA Scholars Program is a college preparatory program for students interested in pursuing a collegiate and professional career in theatre. TYA directors will offer up to two students per grade level the opportunity to participate in the TYA Scholars Program, which will be a full school year commitment to both TYA shows and have the following additional objectives per grade level:
Freshman Year Continue repertoire development.
Sophomore Year Hone audition technique.
Junior Year Establish target colleges and audition material, apply to Musical Theatre Summer Intensives.
Senior Year Finalize applications and auditions, record and edit pre-screen audition footage, make final decision, establish action plan.
Tuition is $525 per season (Fall, Winter, & Spring) and includes tuition to both TYA sessions and select private coachings with TYA directors. Interested candidates should email a letter of interest to Ms. Stephanie Williams (Artistic Director of Drama Learning Center) at Stephanie@dramalearningcenter.com and bring a copy of the letter with them to auditions.
TYA Alums have studied or are currently studying at such prestigious programs as: The Catholic University of America, Elon University, James Madison University, Marymount Manhattan, NYU Tisch, University of the Arts, University of Maryland, Rider University, Wagner College, and others.
TYA Summer Intensive
TYA Summer Intensive is a professional training experience culminating in a full-scale production. Program also includes Master Classes with theatre professionals and casting agents throughout the session. In addition to rehearsing for the performance, emphasis will be placed on audition repertoire development and professional theatre expectations.
2018 Summer Musical Theatre Intensive: Junie B. Jones: The Musical. 2019 Title TBA
Eligible Grades: 9-12, TYA Alums, and College Students
It’s Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament, and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.
Featuring a tremendously loveable character and fun-filled songs, Junie B. Jones the Musicalwill capture hearts just as the books captivated an entire generation of students.
Auditions
BY APPOINTMENT
Tuesday, September 18: 4:00-6:00 pm
Thursday, September 20: 4:00-6:00pm
Monday, September 24: 4:00-6:00pm
Tuesday, September 25: 4:00-6:00pm
Monday, October 1: 4:00-6:00pm *PREVIOUS SENIOR COMPANY MEMBERS ONLY*
Audition Requirements
Please prepare a full song of your choice and a one-minute memorized monologue. Bring sheet music copied back to back in a binder with plastic sleeves — an accompanist will be provided. Bring a completed TYA Audition Form, list all known conflicts for the rehearsal period (including weekday commitments), read and sign the TYA Expectations Form. Applicants will not be able to audition without completed requirements.
Please fill out the form below or call (410) 849-6335 to request an audition appointment.
Please Note: Students who are age eligible for both Junior and Senior Companies will be evaluated for both.
