ACADEMY AUDITIONS FOR 2022-2023 are now closed. Academy is a year-long program, September-May, offering application/audition-only theater arts classes that introduce more focused curriculum and training that builds throughout the year. The classes are designed to offer students additional opportunities with material that we often do not get to do on the main stage, as well as focus on technique and process. Each summer, students have a chance to apply online and gain acceptance before fall class registration begins. 

Students will enroll for the 2022-2023 season for three sessions (fall, winter, spring) that include an extended performance at our Academy Festival at the end of the final session in spring. Payment is due at the beginning of each session, and the student commitment is for all three sessions. Those enrolled in Academy are eligible to audition for one of the main stage productions each session. 

Academy auditions and applications for the 2022-2023 Season are due by July 22, 2022, at 6PM. Students will be notified of acceptance via email by July 26, 2022, and will have the chance to accept or decline by the opening of fall registration on July 31, 2022. Please email becky@cworkstheater.org with any questions. 

Fall Session: Week of September 6, 2022 - November 1, 2022
Winter Session: Week of November 28, 2022 - February 6, 2023
Spring Session: Week of March 13, 2023  - May, 8, 2023

The 2023 Academy Festival is scheduled for the weekend of June 2-4, 2023, with tech week beginning May 29-June 1, 2023.

Below are the current Academy classes offered for 2022-2023. CWorks Academy class are at:
Gayton Baptist Church (Tuesdays) 13501 N Gayton Rd. Richmond, VA 23233
Kingsway Community Church (Thursdays) 14111 Sovereign Grace Dr., Midlothian, VA 23114

Fall Session - September 6 - November 1, 2022

Junior Academy: Musical Theater returns to give young actors a yearlong opportunity for focused growth and training in musical theater performance. In the first two sessions, students will be introduced to essential acting and vocal techniques through improv, theater games and vocal exercises while working on a junior musical production or broadway musical revue. Session three will challenge the students to apply what they are learning in an extended musical showcase at the Academy Festival. 

To apply for Junior Academy: Musical Theater, students should fill out an academy application form, and submit a video audition of the student performing a 1-2 minute monologue, as well as a video of the student performing 30-60 seconds of a musical theater song of their choice. Students may use a monologue below or one of their own choice. Applications are due Friday, July 22, 2022 at 6PM. 

The cost for Academy is $295 per session ($245 covers class tuition, plus an additional $50 fee per session for performance rights, artistic/tech team, performance space).

Instructors: Alana Smith and Tracia Austin 

Fall Session - September 8 - November 3, 2022

Junior Academy: Acting returns to give young actors a yearlong opportunity for focused growth and training in acting and performing. In the first two sessions, students will be introduced to essential acting techniques through improv, theater games and acting exercises while working with a script for a play. Session three will challenge the students to apply what they are learning in an extended showcase of the full production at the Academy Festival. 

To apply for Junior Academy: Acting, students should fill out an academy application form, and submit a video audition of the student performing a 1-2 minute monologue. Students may use a monologue below or one of their own choice. Applications are due Friday, July 22, 2022 at 6PM. 

The cost for Academy is $295 per session ($245 covers class tuition, plus an additional $50 fee per session for performance rights, artistic/tech team, performance space).

Instructor: Ashley Love 

Fall Session - September 6 - November 1, 2022 

Dance is an essential component of musical theater, and students in the Tap and Jazz Academy will have the opportunity to grow in two styles commonly used in musicals. This class will spend each week working on dynamic tap and jazz dance warm-ups and combinations that will grow their skills in technique, rhythm, strength and flexibility. Tap and Jazz will prepare them to not only dance in shows, but also increase their overall strength and body control, which is important in all aspects of performance. The class will present tap, jazz, and musical theater routines at the Academy Festival in the spring. Students will need to have tap and jazz shoes for the year. 

To apply for Tap and Jazz Academy, students need to submit an Academy application that includes a theater resume and essay question answer. In the resume portion, please highlight ANY PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE. Applications are due Friday, July 22, 2022 at 6PM.

The cost for Academy is $295 per session ($245 covers class tuition, plus an additional $50 fee per session for dance costumes, artistic/tech team, performance space).

Instructor: Becky McNamee

Fall Session - September 8 - November 3, 2022

Film Academy will be conceiving and producing an extended one-camera situation comedy series pilot. The class will be divided into three sections: Pre-production (concept development, screenwriting, casting), Production (on-location filming), and Post-Production (editing, digital special effects, scoring). Students will learn about and get to experience all aspects of the production process, giving them a wide view of the film production business. They will study world class sit-coms from the past, dive into the basics of screenwriting, get on-the-set training with cameras and film equipment, and learn to create stories as an editor. The class will be taught by Blair Keeley who has over 30 years of experience behind the camera on advertising and television show projects. Film equipment is provided. 

To apply for Film Academy, students need to submit an Academy application that includes a theater resume and essay question answer outlining why the student is interested in the Film Academy. Applications are due Friday, July 22, 2022 at 6PM.

The cost for Academy is $295 per session ($245 covers class tuition, plus an additional $50 fee per session for extra film gear, artistic/tech team, performance space).

Instructor: Blair Keeley 

Fall Session - September 8 - November 3, 2022

Acting Academy: Murder Mystery Classic will help students learn the acting process, from how to tackle a role to scene analysis, through acting exercises, theater games and partner work. Students will spend time learning how to apply these techniques while rehearsing a classic murder mystery play, full of rich characters and exciting ensemble scenes with dramatic plot twists. Session three will challenge the students to apply the acting techniques they are learning in an extended showcase of the full-length play at the Academy Festival. 

To apply for Acting Academy: Murder Mystery Classic, students should fill out an academy application form, and submit a video audition of the student performing a 1-2 minute monologue. Students may use a monologue below or one of their own choice.  Applications are due Friday, July 22, 2022 at 6PM.

The cost for Academy is $295 per session ($245 class tuition, plus an additional $50 fee per session for performance rights, artistic/tech team, performance space).

Instructor: Ashley Love

Fall Session - September 6 - November 1, 2022

Students in Advanced Acting Academy will focus on learning different acting techniques, and then apply those to develop interesting and honest characters in a production of the Tony-award winning play, The Miracle Worker. Students will be introduced to theory and exercises developed by great acting teachers like Constantin Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, and Standford Meisner. These exercises will help students learn how to create a character, bring truthfulness to their performance, listen and respond on stage, and pursue an objective. The class will apply these techniques to character development and script work as they work toward a full production of the play "The Miracle Worker" to be performed at the Academy Festival. 

To apply for Advanced Acting Academy, students should fill out an academy application form, and submit a video audition of the student performing a 1-2 minute monologue. Students may use a monologue below or one of their own choice. Applications are due by Friday, July 22, 2022 at 6PM. 

The cost for Academy is $295 per session ($245 class tuition, plus an additional $50 production fee per session or performance rights, artistic/tech team, performance space).

Instructor: Becky McNamee

 

• Introduce yourself at the beginning of your video. Say hi, tell us your name, and tell us what song you are singing. This is called your "slate" and is a way for the audition panel to see who you really are and what your personality is like. Say "Thank you!" at the end of your audition.
• Make sure you have good lighting. Don't perform in front of a bright exterior window. Lighting should highlight you and your face.
• Line the lens of your camera up to be level with your eyes. Don't film from above or below.
• Dress up for your audition and present your best self.
• Stand up for your audition, if possible. Don't perform seated or laying down. Standing helps energize your performance.
• Remember to perform as if you are in front of hundreds of people. When filming video auditions it is easy to make your performance smaller and more intimate, but perform like you've got a giant audience.
• Make sure the music isn't so loud that it overpowers your voice. On the video, your voice should be what comes through the loudest.
• Don't forget to act! A singing audition video serves to show both your vocal and acting abilities. Become the character you are performing as.
• Not a strong singer? Sell your talent to us through your acting!
• Is your video not perfect? That's fine - no one's is! We know recording a video audition is tough. The main thing we're looking for is to see you, your personality, and your talent.