A challenging four-week acting conservatory for ages 13-19 culminating in a public performance of Reina Hardy's Midnite. The Theatre Lab's Summer Acting Institute for Teens is designed to immerse young adults in the art of acting—from mastering the essential principles of the craft to participating in a public performance of a challenging contemporary work at the end of the four weeks. The curriculum includes audition seminars, improvisational workshops, voice and speech training, movement training, and scene study, as well as special programs designed to give interested students insight into the workings of the professional theatre community. In addition to the daily training, students will rehearse and perform Midnite by playwrights Reina Hardy and Rory Leahy. When a group of college film majors venture into the woods to make an ill-advised horror movie, they encounter supernatural forces of love and madness in this contemporary, dark comedy loosely based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (with a touch of Blair Witch Project thrown in). A unique mix of horror and humor, Midnite invites us into a world where reality blurs with fantasy, and the unexpected is always just around the corner. It also features sharp dialogue, modern cultural references, and a playful edge that captures the essence of youthful ambition and creativity.  Best of all, Midnite is a wonderful ensemble show with great roles for actors of all types. Please note: Midnite features profanity and mature themes. All institute classes are taught by professional actors and directors. The summer program is directed by actor Deb Gottesman, a founder and co-director of The Theatre Lab, and includes a staff of highly trained instructors and specialists including critically-acclaimed director Randy Baker (Rorschach Theatre Artistic Director), who will direct the final production. Summer Acting Institute participants take all of the following courses: The Drama Workshop: An improvisational workshop designed to explore core acting skills, including: creating a character, activating needs, developing spontaneity and focus, and communicating effectively with others on stage. Students will be challenged to discover new ways of thinking, expressing themselves, and creating. Auditioning: An intensive seminar designed to prepare students to perform monologues in an audition setting, this course focuses on developing confidence, rechanneling nervous energy into creative energy, and using the body and voice effectively to tell a story. At the conclusion of the seminar, students use their monologues to audition for Midnite. All students are guaranteed substantial and interesting roles. Stage Movement: Designed to increase the actor's range of movement and physical expressiveness, this course incorporates elements of mime, dance, and improvisation, as well as training in relaxation and posture development, in order to maximize the potential of the body on stage. Scene Study and Vocal Technique: An intensive exploration of scripted work, this course focuses on developing the actor's process and understanding the potential of one's own voice. Through the introduction of powerful rehearsal techniques, this course helps prepare students for their production of Midnite. In addition to the above classes, students participate in a variety of special workshops—such as acting for film and TV, video game voice acting, and stage combat—led by guest artists from the Washington theatre community.