Summer Intensives

Ballet Studio Jr. Intensive

JUL 1–19 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 9–13 | $700

Ballet Studio is COCA’s Jr. Ballet Intensive. This full-day, 3-week intensive includes ballet, modern, and character technique classes led by American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Pre-Primary–Level 5 Certified Instructors Norma Gabriel and Carrie Fernandez. Students focus on elements to improve their training as performing artists: musicality, the expressiveness of contrasting movement energies, and character development. Technical focus includes pirouettes, petite allegro, adagio, and pointe (pre-pointe when appropriate). The dancers learn the process of preparing for a performance.

The intensive is divided into two sections based on each dancer’s ability. Dancers must be levels Ballet II, IIA, III, IV, or V (if currently enrolled at COCA) or have completed more than three years of classical ballet training. Culminates with a free, open performance for family and friends on Friday, July 19.

Auditions are held at COCA’s Regional Summer Intensive Auditions, January 12–14, or contact Norma Gabriel, Ballet Studio Coordinator, at ngabriel@cocastl.org to submit a video audition.

Instructors: Norma Gabriel & Carrie Fernandez

Costume Intensive

JUN 3–7 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 14–18 | $330

Theatrical costume design and couture fashion design have created a landscape of character and personal expression throughout human history. Each creating their own style of production, theatrical costumes focus on expressing a character to help a narrative, while couture fashion is more a reflection of the designer?s viewpoints and perspective. This intensive explores the distinction between theatre and fashion production, and how they influence each other. To conclude the intensive, students display their final projects in a gallery style format to show their design process.

Age-appropriate students who have completed Fashion I and/or a Fashion or Costuming camp at COCA should contact the Registration Office to enroll. All other students should submit a letter of interest discussing their level of comfort with sewing and interest in costuming to Shawna Flanigan at sflanigan@cocastl.org.

Instructors: Lauren Cram & Cody Floyd

Create Your World VR Intensive

JUL 22–AUG 2 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 14–18 | $330

Immerse yourself in the exciting world of Virtual Reality (VR) with Breach’s Create Your World Summer Camp. This intensive and hands-on program is designed for high school students who want to explore the cutting-edge technology of VR and learn how to create their own immersive experiences!

During this camp, participants delve into the fundamentals of VR technology, gain insights into its applications in various industries, and acquire the skills needed to develop their own VR content.

The course curriculum includes:

• Understanding the history and evolution of VR
• Exploring different types of VR hardware and software

• Learning to use industry-standard VR development software
• Hands-on experience with 3D modeling and animation tools

• Crafting compelling narratives and immersive experiences
• Designing environments and interactions for VR worlds

• Building user-friendly interfaces and controls
• Incorporating audio, haptics, and other sensory elements

• Creating interactive games and simulations
• Programming and scripting for VR experiences

• Exploring real-world applications of VR in fields like education, healthcare, and entertainment
• Guest speakers and industry experts sharing insights

• Collaborating with peers to design and develop your own VR project
• Receiving guidance and feedback from experienced instructors

• Presenting your VR creations to fellow campers and instructors
• Celebrating your accomplishments and gaining valuable feedback

By the end of this summer camp, you will have the knowledge and skills to design and develop your own VR experiences, from immersive games to educational simulations. Whether you’re interested in a potential career in the VR industry or simply want to explore the limitless possibilities of virtual reality, this camp will provide a unique and exciting journey into the world of VR creation.

Join us for an unforgettable summer experience that combines creativity, technology, and innovation in the realm of virtual reality. Unlock your potential as a VR creator and step into a world of limitless imagination!

Register

SIX: TEEN EDITION

JUL 15–AUG 2 | 3:30–9:00PM | Ages 13–18 | $395
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is a global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.

The New York Times says SIX is “pure entertainment!” and the Evening Standard hails SIX as “the most uplifting new British musical I have ever had the privilege to watch.”

This musical is cast by audition and rehearses 3:30–9:00PM weekdays, July 15–August 2, with a professional creative team, providing teen actors with the opportunity to elevate their skills in singing, dancing, and acting as they create the staged production. The final show is fully produced and performed in the Catherine B. Berges Theatre on Friday, August 2, at 7:00PM and Saturday, August 3, at Noon and 7:00PM.

Auditions are March 1.

Instructors: Will Bonfiglio & Morgan Brennan

REGISTER TO AUDITION

Songwriting Intensive

JUN 17–21 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 14–18 | $330

Work with professional singer/songwriter/recording artist Michael Beatty to create lyrics and melodies that tell a story and reflect your own unique voice. Identify the important elements of the songwriting, recording, and performance process. Develop the expressive star quality of your music from concept to craft to capturing the moment. As you hone your own personal songwriting style you also learn best practices for successfully sharing your music with an audience. Students create, refine, and rehearse their songs and record them at Clayton Studios. All musical genres are appreciated. Price includes field trip and all studio costs.

Interested students should contact Phil Woodmore at pwoodmore@cocastl.org to share your reasons for interest and musical background as well as any musical instruments you play and would want to include in your work.

Variety & COCA Youth Musical: Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr.

JUL 22–AUG 9 | 8:30AM–3:30PM | Ages 9–20

Explore the big, blue world as we rehearse and perform a stage version of the Pixar film Finding Nemo. COCA is thrilled to partner with Variety St. Louis’s inclusive Performing Arts program which brings together kids and teens with and without disabilities, giving every child the chance to shine. The collaborative musical program will not only teach new skills such as singing, acting, and dancing, but also foster friendships and build each child’s confidence. Marlin, an anxious and overprotective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.

This delightful adventure musical rehearses 8:30AM–3:30PM weekdays for three weeks with a professional creative team. The show is fully produced and performed in the Catherine B. Berges Theatre on Friday, August 9 at 7:00PM; Saturday, August 10 at 1:00PM and 5:00PM; and Sunday, August 11 at 1:00PM. Tickets are $10 and available at COCA’s Box Office in June.

Auditions are March 9–10.

Instructors: Lara Teeter, Dawn Gilbertson, & Marc Schapman

Voice Intensive I: Personal Songbook

JUN 10–14 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 12–18 | $330

Take your singing to the next level. Students have a fresh opportunity to reexamine their personal songbook as well as learn new material from the latest and greatest works of musical theatre.

Audition requirements: Voice students not currently studying at COCA should submit a one-minute video excerpt of the song of their choice to Phil Woodmore at pwoodmore@cocastl.org by May 1.

Voice Intensive II: The Singing Actor

JUN 10–14 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 14–18 | $330

This one-of-a-kind intensive is developed for vocalists who have completed the COCA Voice Intensive I and are interested in more advanced study. Utilizing songs that represent a variety of musical theatre styles, we integrate method acting technique into voice and scene work to better express a deeper understanding of the emotional life of the song. We also learn effective audition techniques and identify repertoire that highlights individual strengths as singing artists. All singers leave the intensive with two to three contrasting songs prepared for their vocal portfolio.

Audition requirements: Voice students not currently studying at COCA should submit a one-minute video of singing to Phil Woodmore at pwoodmore@cocastl.org by May 1.

Instructors:

Michael Beatty, NYC actor, singer, & Broadway vocal coach

Phil Woodmore, musical director, composer, singer, & Broadway vocal coach