Summer Camps & Programs

Program Description

Choate Rosemary Hall

Summer Arts Conservatory
Wallingford, Connecticut

		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact
Randi Joseph Brandt, Admission Director
Choate Rosemary Hall Summer Arts Conservatory
Paul Mellon Arts Center
333 Christian Street
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492
203-697-2423
Fax: 203-697-2396
http://www.choate.edu/pmac
E-mail: rbrandt@choate.edu

Type of Program: Intensive arts conservatory, emphasizing performance, playwriting, and exhibitions
Participants: Coeducational, entering grades 7–12
Enrollment: 50
Program Dates: June 28 to July 31
Head of Program: James Balmer and Mary Nelson, Co-Directors; Susan F. Clark, Ph.D., Executive Director

Location

Choate Rosemary Hall’s 450-acre campus is located in the center of Wallingford, a town 12 miles north of New Haven and 20 miles south of Hartford. It is a 2-hour drive from Boston and New York City.

Background and Philosophy

The five-week Arts Conservatory offers programs in theater, playwriting, and the visual arts. Arts Conservatory students create together, live together, and play together. Each morning begins as students gather in the Chase-Bear Experimental Theater for physical warm-ups and the day’s announcements.
    Several characteristics make the Arts Conservatory unique. It offers a truly interdisciplinary approach to arts education and embraces the philosophy that the student must first understand the process of creating art. Students are given the tools to understand how to create. In all five programs, students consistently work on the techniques and skills of painting, drawing, singing, dancing, acting, or playwriting.

Program Offerings

Theater In this program, 30 students explore and experience all phases of theatrical expression. The curriculum consists of classes in acting, acting style, stage movement, and musical theater—voice and dance. Students perform in both new works and previously published plays.
Playwriting/Screenwriting The Student Playwriting/Screenwriting Program is developed to nurture 10 young writers and to provide a solid foundation for both stage plays and film. The curriculum consists of classes in elements of scriptwriting, film analysis, screenplay development, and film and play labs. Students have public readings of their works.
Visual Arts The Visual Arts Program is a rare opportunity for 10 students to explore the creative process and challenge their artistic potential under the instruction of professional artists who are also teachers. The curriculum consists of painting, ceramics, drawing, portfolio discussions, and open studio time.

Enrollment

Each summer, 50 students from all over the country participate in the Arts Conservatory.

Daily Schedule

During the day, students attend classes, open studio sessions, and play, choral, and string rehearsals. Students take field trips to museums, theaters, outdoor musical concerts, and art openings.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Time is set aside for leisure activities, including swimming, tennis, volleyball, or relaxing in the Student Activities Center. Students spend one weekend (optional trip) during the program in New York City, where they attend Broadway and off-Broadway shows, visit museums and galleries, explore Shubert Alley, and shop in SoHo and Greenwich Village.

Facilities

The Paul Mellon Arts Center, designed by world-renowned architect I. M. Pei, houses two theaters, a recital hall, music classrooms and practice rooms, art studios, dance facilities, and a large art gallery/lounge area. Students live in campus dormitories and have access to Choate Rosemary Hall’s recreational and athletic facilities.

Staff

Classes are taught by experienced arts educators from Choate Rosemary Hall’s faculty and from other private and public schools around the country. Faculty members also serve as dormitory advisers.
    Jim Balmer, a co-director of the program and a faculty member, received a B.A. in music education from College Misericordia and an M.M. in choral music and music education from Hartt School of Music at University of Hartford. He is a D.M.A. candidate in conducting and choral music at University of Illinois. Mr. Balmer is co-director of music programs at Fairfield Country Day School, teaches in Choate’s Theater Saturday Program, and is conductor/co-musical director of Choate’s annual spring musicals.
    Mary Nelson, the other co-director of the program and a faculty member, received a B.S. in music education at University of Wisconsin and an M.M. in choral music and music education at Hartt School of Music at University of Hartford. She is co-director of music programs at Fairfield Country Day School, teaches in the Theater Saturday Program at Choate, and is a pianist/co-musical director of Choate’s annual spring musicals. Ms. Nelson has appeared at Carnegie Hall on several occasions.
    Susan Clark, executive director of the Paul Mellon Arts Center and head of the arts department at Choate Rosemary Hall, joined the faculty on July 1, 2008. Formerly the artistic director for the Campbell Performing Arts Center and the director of theater at the Groton School, Ms. Clark holds a Ph.D. in theater history and dramatic criticism from Tufts University. A National Endowment for the Arts fellow, she is the founding artistic director of three theater companies, as well as a published author.

Medical Care

The Pratt Health Center is staffed 24 hours a day. Overnight care in the health center is provided when necessary, but there is an additional charge. Each student is required to submit health forms before registration. All students must have proper immunizations and provide complete medical information on these forms. By Connecticut law, failure to submit the proper medical forms or to have immunizations (or to get them immediately upon arrival at Choate) obligates the school to dismiss the student. Each student is also required to submit proof of medical insurance before registration. Failure to submit proof of medical insurance upon arrival at Choate obligates the school to dismiss the student.

Religious Life

A synagogue and various denominational churches (Congregational, Baptist, Roman Catholic, and Episcopalian) are within walking distance of the campus.

Costs

The charge for resident students, including room, board, and field trips, is $5500. Linen service is available at an additional fee. The fee for day students is $4500. The fee for the optional weekend trip to New York City is $650.

Transportation

Transportation is provided to students. Ground transportation upon arrival to and departure from the program is an additional fee.

Application Timetable

A $60 nonrefundable application fee payable to Choate Rosemary Hall is required. The Summer Arts Conservatory’s application deadline is May 30.