“I was challenged in many different ways throughout the process, and felt like I grew as an artist and a musician. I learned an incredible amount from the directors and fellow students regarding creating characters, ensemble work, collaboration, professionalism, and more."
Summer Musical Theatre Institute
A unique four-week training program for ages 13-19
PROGRAM UPDATE 5/18/20: Given the safety risks to students even if DC allows businesses to open, we are shifting to a virtual program. At this time, this program is full; click here to apply to the waitlist.
2020 Session I
Public Works’ Musical Adaptation of Twelfth Night
A musical adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Conceived by Kwame Kwei-Armah & Shaina Taub, Music and Lyrics by Shaina Taub
Directed by Deb Gottesman and Buzz Mauro
June 22 – July 17, Mondays – Fridays, 1pm–5pm
Cabaret Performance will premiere on July 16 and the Twelfth Night video watch party will take place on Saturday, July 18.
Cabaret Performance will premiere on July 16 and the Twelfth Night video watch party will take place on Saturday, July 18.
Named one of the best theatrical productions of 2018 by Time, The Hollywood Reporter and The Washington Post, Twelfth Night is a joyful musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy about mistaken identity and self-discovery.
Twelfth Night tells the gender-bending story of Viola, a young heroine who washes up on the shores of Illyria, disguises herself as a man, and experiences living, loving and being loved in wholly unexpected ways. The perspective shift at the core of the show is captured in the lyrics of its final number, which encourages us to “see through the eyes of another, hear through the ears of somebody else.” With a rousing score comprising jazz-funk numbers, R&B ballads, and buoyant showstoppers, The Public’s Twelfth Night retains the beauty of Shakespeare’s language and while giving the play a truly contemporary feel.
Twelfth Night features many memorable characters and a lively ensemble with break-out roles and abundant solo opportunities. As part of their training, students cast in ensemble roles will also have the opportunity to rehearse and perform a solo in a student cabaret.
2020 Session II
Please stay tuned for announcements about this musical production.
Directed by Aidan Quartana and Walter "Bobby" McCoy
Mondays – Fridays, 12pm–5pm July 20 – August 15 Performances, evenings August 13–15 + matinee August 15
About the Musical Theatre Institute
The Musical Theatre Institute for Teens is an intensive four-week training program in which participants rehearse and perform a full musical production under the guidance of esteemed professional directors. The idea behind the institute is to enable young artists to explore challenging, socially relevant material from the contemporary musical theatre world as they receive the intensive voice, movement, and acting training essential for professional-level performance. Past productions, including recent performances of Newsies, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Jesus Christ Superstar, Parade, and Rent have played to critical raves and sold-out houses.
The Musical Theatre Institute is designed to challenge young performers — both artistically and personally — while providing a supportive, caring environment in which to develop. Roles are open to experienced performers as well as those looking to build musical theatre skills. While the emphasis is on performance, students will also receive training in a wide variety of musical theatre disciplines during the rehearsal process, including: vocal production, acting a song, proper breathing technique, movement, building a character, ensemble acting, and more.
Location: Online, Virtual
Admission: Admission to the Musical Theatre Institute for Teens is by application and audition. Applicants will be accepted on the basis of their commitment to exploring the musical theatre craft, their willingness to collaborate in a group process of discovery with other young artists, and their ability to handle the demands of the musical score.
All applicants must complete a written essay expressing their interest in the program. Applicants must also prepare a musical theatre song for auditions that will be scheduled upon receipt of completed application.
Due to the limited nature of our enrollment, admission is competitive. You will be contacted shortly after the application deadline to schedule an audition. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered only if space becomes available.
Tuition: Tuition for each session of the Musical Theatre Institute is $900. If you are enrolled in MTIT1 and MTIT2, your total tuition will be $1,650. If you are enrolled in MITIT1 and the Summer Acting Institute, your total tuition will be $1,600.