Summer Intensives

Circus Intensive

AUG 7–11 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 11–18 | $330

Dive headfirst into this opportunity to create your own circus. Designed for students with experience in circus skills, the Circus Intensive helps you take your work to the next level. Explore aerial work in COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre as we utilize the hoop, silks, and stationary trapeze. Increase your technical skills in trampoline, low wire, juggling, unicycle, acrobatics, ground skills, and clowning. Achieve the perfect balance of grace, athleticism, and comedy as you collaboratively build a production that highlights your special talents. This intensive is for students who have completed Circus COCA, Circus Explorer, or who have gymnastics/tumbling experience.  

Instructor: Mariel Reynolds, Performer, Aerialist, & Instructor

Interested students should contact Shawna Flanigan at sflanigan@cocastl.org by July 15.  

Summer Camp Musical: Disney’s The Lion King JR.

JUL 17–AUG 4 | 3:30–9:00PM | Ages 12–18 | $395

Teens, ages 12–18, are invited to audition for COCA’s Summer Camp Musical Disney’s The Lion King JR. The African savanna comes to life on stage with Simba, Rafiki, and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle…and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale. This 60-minute production is cast by audition, rehearses 3:30–9:00PM weekdays for three weeks. It is fully produced and performed complete with set, lights, and costumes in the Catherine B. Berges Theatre on August 4–5. Sliding scale tuition is available to cast members who qualify.

Auditions are March 3–4. Register for an audition time. 

Songwriting Intensive

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

Work with professional singer-songwriter and 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. 

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

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

Architectural Model Making Jr. Intensive

JUL 17–21 | 12:30–4:00PM | Ages 11–14 | $200

Aspiring architects deepen their understanding of the principles of architectural design as they create scale models that reflect their ideas for interior and exterior spaces. Physical models are tools that architects use to communicate form and spatial explorations. This class develops material and tectonic understandings of architectural spaces. The discipline of constructing detailed models through the process of measuring, cutting, and assembling is explored.

Instructor: Axi:Ome llc, Sung Ho Kim

Interested students should send a statement of interest to Shawna Flanigan at sflanigan@cocastl.org by July 1. 

Ballet & Contemporary Dance Intensive

JUN 5–16 | 9:30AM–4:00PM | Ages 14–19 | $800

This intensive is for dancers looking to refine their technique and artistry, while having fun and working toward their artistic goals. Classes include ballet technique, pointe, men’s, jazz, and contemporary dance. Each summer, the Ballet and Contemporary Intensive is headlined by world-renowned guest teaching artists and stars of the dance world. The dancers work on a variety of repertoire and variations during the two-week process as well as improvisation techniques. Participating dancers must have extensive training, with a minimum of two years of pointe work. This intensive culminates with a free, open performance for family and friends on Friday, June 16.  

Instructors:

Tommie-Waheed Evans, Founder of Waheed Works, winner of the 2019 Princess Grace Award in Choreography and 2021 Guggenheim Fellow

Caleb Mitchell, Former member of the Houston Ballet and Assistant Professor of Dance at Florida State University College of Fine Arts

Levi Philip Marsman, Former member of Ailey II, guest teacher and Freelance Choreographer

Meet the instructors

Auditions are held at COCA’s annual Regional Summer Intensive Auditions (RSIA) January 14–15, or contact Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Artistic Director of Dance, at adouthit-boyd@cocastl.org to submit a video audition.