Improv Intensive
Playwriting
Stand-Up Comedy and Improv Camp
Advanced Acting Intensive
Audition Skills
Adaptation NEW THIS SUMMER
Scene and Song Study

Instructors


"Creating a 'Second City Style' Improv Review"
Students taking this class will use basic improv exercises and scene work to learn how to write and create an original comedy show. This two-week class culminates in a free Second City or Saturday Night Live type of review, performed by the class members on June 20. The class meets weekdays from 10:00am - 1:00pm and is for students ages 12 - 18.

Ages: 12-18
Dates: June 7 - June 20
Duration: 2 Weeks
Class Times: 10 am - 1 pm

Cost: $325


In this two-week class, students will engage in the craft of writing for the theatre. Though exercises, compositions, and the creation of a longer work, each student develops his/her own theatrical voice. Participants will learn theatre terminology, the basics of dramatic structure, and how to create believable characters. Recommended for students over 12 with some acting experience. Class meets weekdays from 10:00am - noon (limited to 16 students).

Ages: Recommended for students over age 12 (some previous theatre experience recommended.)
Dates: June 21 - July 2
Duration: 2 Weeks
Class Times: 10 am to Noon, Monday - Friday

Cost: $325

NOTE: The class size is limited to 16. Make your reservation today.

Participants will learn the art of stand-up comedy including stage presence, microphone technique and humor writing. Students will also learn how to perform comedic improvisation through use of games and acting techniques. At the end of the camp, participants perform a free showcase. Ages 9 - 16. Class meets for one week, Monday - Friday from 10:30am - 12:30pm (limited to 15 students).

Ages: 9-16
Dates: Session I: June 28 - July 2
Session II: August 2 - August 6
Duration: Each session lasts one Week
Class Times: Monday - Friday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Cost: $175.00 for one week

NOTE:Class is limited to 15 Students

This camp is taught by recent Walden Theatre alumni who currently attend top post-secondary theatre programs. They share their knowledge in acting, voice, and movement with teens who are interested in the serious study of theatre. The camp will focus on using imagery in monologue and scenes, training in vocal honesty, channeling vocal power and basic movement for actors. Students may sign up for one, two or all three weeks. Classes meet from 10:00am - 1:00pm Mon. - Fri. (Tue. - Sat. for Week I). For teens with some acting experience.

You may sign up for any one week, any two weeks, or all three weeks.

Ages: 14 - 18 (some prior experience required.)
Dates: July 6 - July 23
Duration: 3 Weeks
Class Times: Week 1: Tuesdya - Saturday 10am - 1pm
Week 2 and 3: Monday - Friday 10 am - 1pm

Cost: $325.00 for 3 weeks or $125.00 per week


This class is for anyone who has thought about auditioning for a play or musical OR for anyone who has an upcoming audition and wants to be PREPARED! Students will learn or improve the process of selecting, studying, and performing a monologue, learn how to approach “cold readings” from a script, and even navigate their way through a 16-bar musical piece and a dance break. Time will be given to help create an audition package of two song cuttings (one up-tempo, one ballad) and a monologue. All levels of experience welcome. Ages 9 - 17. Class meets daily 9:30am - 12:30pm (limited to 20 students).

Ages: 9 - 17 (All levels of experience welcome.)
Dates: 7/26 - 7/30
Duration: 1 Week
Class Times: Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm

Cost: $175.00 per week


NEW THIS SUMMER In this two-week course, students will adapt material from a well-known play to make it their own. Like: What would Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream do if he came to your school? Or shouldn’t The Crucible’s Abigail Williams have her own version of “All the Single Ladies”? Class activities will include improvising, writing, and rehearsing the play they create, ending with a performance for invited guests. We need actors, writers, singers, dancers, composers, musicians, and you. Ages 12 - 18. Weekdays 10:00am - noon (limited to 18 students).

Ages: 12-18
Dates: July 26 - August 6
Duration: 2 Weeks
Class Times: 10 am - noon

Cost: $325


This class explores the triple discipline of musical theatre: acting, singing, and dancing. Students will train in all three areas as they work together on scenes and songs from musical theatre. Students will break down text, gain skills in vocal production, movement, dance, physical attack, and character development. This class is a blast and all levels of experience are welcome. Ages 9 - 17. Class meets daily from 9:30am - 12:30pm (limited to 25 students).

Ages: 9 - 17
Dates: August 2 - August 6
Duration: 1 Week
Class Times: Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 12:30

Cost: $175.00 for one week

Guest Instructors

• Chris Anger
(Improvisation)
is a founder and Artistic Director of the Louisville Improvisors and has been a professional actor working in improvisation for over 25 years. Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Chris performed with numerous troupes before moving to Louisville eleven years ago. He studied improv with the late Dr. Martin de Maat, former head of the world-famous Chicago Second City Training Center and Keith Johnstone, Founder/Creator of Theatresports and author of Impro.


• Sharon Kinnison
(Audition/Scene and Song Study)
Sharon holds an MFA in acting from the University of Louisville and a BS in Theatre and Voice from the University of Kentucky. Acting credits include Red Hot and Cole, Suds:The Rocking Sixties Musical Soap Opera (Center REP, SF-Bay Area), Our Affair with Astaire (Miry Productions, SF-Bay area), Singin' (SF-Bay Area Cabaret circuit), Annie (MTL, Louisville KY), Floyd Collins (ATL, Louisville). Directing credits include Candide, Phaedra, She Loves Me, Hello Dolly, Grease, Annie Get Your Gun (All SF-Bay area), The Winter's Tale, A Piece of My Heart, Major Barbara, The Lion In Winter, The Fantastiks (Louisville area). In 1999 Sharon became the Education Director for Music Theatre Louisville and went on to serve as the Executive Director for MTL. She is the Chair of the Fine Arts Department at Louisville Collegiate School where she teaches Middle and Upper School drama. Sharon is also a full-time faculty member of the Governor's School for the Arts.


• Hank Willenbrink
(Playwriting)
is an internationally produced playwright. He has a BA from the University of Tulsa, an MA and PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His play 18 won the John Cauble Award for Best Short Play from KCACTF. MIRANDA BRANSON BRANSON MIRANDA was produced by Necessary Theatre in May 2009. It Came from Indiana! was commissioned and produced by Walden Theatre in the fall 2009. A Singular Event (co-created with Judy Bauerlein and Marc Shaw) was showcased at Performance Highways in Santa Monica last February. Hank has taught the playwriting summer camp at Walden for the past four years. When not in Louisville, he is an assistant professor of theater at the University of Scranton.


• Keith McGill
(Stand-Up Comedy and Improv Camp)
Keith has taught with Walden Theatre for six years, leading various workshops on acting, improvisational comedy, and theatre history. He has appeared in productions with various theatre organizations, such as Actors Theatre, The Necessary Theatre, Pleaides Theatre, Louisville Repertory Theatre, and the Royal Palm Players in Boca Grande, Florida. He also teaches many programs with the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. Keith is also a professional stand-up comedian, and performs in clubs from Wisconsin to Florida, as well as Louisville's own Comedy Caravan.


• Jessica Leader
(Adaptation)
is a teacher, writer, and director. She holds a Masters in English Education and Educational Theatre from NYU and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her play Land Slides has been produced at high schools throughout the country, and her directing credits include Walden’s Summer Academy and St. Francis of Goshen. She teaches drama and playwriting for Actors Theatre of Louisville. Jess’s first book for teens, Nice and Mean, was recently published by Simon and Schuster, and she believes it’s available at a bookstore near you.

Alumni Instructors

TBA