Geva Summer Aircademy Class Catalog

Register for a Friday Masterclass!
Scroll to see class descriptions. Multi-week classes are now closed.

Geva’s 2020 online summer conservatory features a selection of 5-week classes* by Geva’s core staff members as well as rare, specialized single-session masterclasses led by prominent artists from major regional American theatres such as Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage, and People's Light Theatre Company. Young artists ages 12-18 may register to take one or several classes, depending on their interests and availability.
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Classes are designed for young artists of all skill levels, whether they wish to build on prior experience, stretch their artistic muscles, or take their first leap into the world of theatre. All that’s required is an open mind and a willingness to take risks!

We are offering two foundational classes in acting:
Aircademy Acting: Monologues for Auditions
Scene Work Makes the Dream Work: Foundations of Acting Through Scene Study
Students successfully completing these two courses will receive a Geva Summer Academy Program certificate of completion. 

Before You Enroll

Please take a moment to read important information about the Geva Summer Aircademy program, including technology requirements, things to consider in advance, and other essential details.

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Weekly Course Schedule

July 20 – August 21*

*NOTE: Design class runs 4 weeks only, July 20 - August 13

Summer Masterclass Series

Masterclass registration will remain open until 8/21.

These remarkable à-la-carte workshops are led by artist/educators from nationally prominent theatre companies. Each class explores a different theme to help students grapple with the often intense challenges actors face on stage and in the rehearsal hall.

Each Friday afternoon
July 20 – August 21, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
(5 weeks of individual sessions)
​Class size: max of 16, minimum of 4   •  Just $50 per class

MASTERCLASS #2
Friday, July 31 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Text Analysis: 
​How Language Exposes Character
Instructor: Kirsten Giroux, Oregon Shakespeare Festival​

Kirsten performed in regional theaters across the country for over 20 years. She has appeared at the Boston Shakespeare Company, Sacramento Theater Company, Idaho Shakespeare Festival and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Since 1999, Kirsten has devoted her time to teaching, working as a Curriculum Specialist and Teaching Artist for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She has created over 30 workshops for the Festival's Education department; and has taught hundreds of events for students of all ages as well as seminars for teachers. 

MASTERCLASS #4
​Friday, August 14 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm
From Son House to Wicked:
​On the Road with Cleavant Derricks
Instructor: Cleavant Derricks, prolific and award-winning star of stage & screen

Cleavant Derricks, know to Geva buffs as Son House, created the role of James Thunder Early for Dreamgirls, receiving Tony and Drama Desk awards as well as the LA Drama Circle Award for vocal arrangements. Starring in Bob Fosse's Broadway production Big Deal, Cleavant was nominated for Tony and Drama Desk awards for Best Actor. Other Broadway credits include: Revival of Hair, Vinette Carroll's Your Arm's Too Short to Box with God, as well as But Never Jam Today and Brooklyn the Musical. He received the NAACP Theatre Award for Best Male Performance for his portrayal of Horse in the Full Monty national tour. Cleavant was awarded the “Heroes and Legends Award” for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre; served as composer, musical director, and featured actor for the musical When Hell Freezes Over I'll Skate, which aired as a PBS special; and starred in Cy Coleman's Like Jazz at the Mark Taper Forum.

Film roles include: Moscow on The Hudson, The Slugger's Wife, Offbeat, Carnival Of Souls, Bluffing It, Miami Magma, Basilisk, and World Traveler. TV series regular include Sliders, Thea, Drexell's Class, Good Sports, and Woops! Some TV guest appearances include Touched by an Angel, Charmed, The Practice, The Bernie Mac Show, Cold Case, and David E. Kelly's Wedding Bells. Regional theatre credits include Pullman Porter Blues, role of Sylvester at Seattle Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage and Goodman Theatre; Debbie Allen's musical Twist in the role of the Undertaker (Awarded the NAACP award for "Best Supporting Actor); The Piano Lesson, role of Whining Boy at the McCarter Theatre and Hartford Stage (awarded the "Connecticut Critics Award" for outstanding Featured Actor in a Play); Trouble in Mind, role of Sheldon at the Guthrie Theatre ("Best Ensemble Award"); Jelly's Last Jam, role of Chimney Man at Signature Theatre; Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, role of John Prentice Sr. at Indiana Repertory Theatre and Geva Theatre Center; Gem of the Ocean, the role of Solly "Two Kings" and Vocal Director at South Coast Repertory Theatre.

MASTERCLASS #1 
Friday, July 24 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm​
Story Circles and 
​How Theatre Can Make a Difference
Instructor: Stephanie Wilborn, American Conservatory Theatre

Stephanie Wilborn has been involved in theater education and community arts organizing for over a decade. Her mission is to use theater and social justice as a platform to give voice to those who are often overlooked or underrepresented onstage. After several years creating after-school curricula for nonprofit organizations such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and homeless shelters throughout Southern California, Wilborn developed a passion for community engagement and arts activism. Part of her focus is finding ways to implement safe and fun teaching strategies with low-income communities. Wilborn also helped produce several events engaging the community, including Every 28 Hours, a one-minute play festival highlighting police brutality and injustice. 

In her current role as A.C.T. Community Programs Manager and lead teaching artist in A.C.T.’s intensive residency at Ida B. Wells High School, she works to create a space for diverse various communities to become members of the A.C.T. family. Recently she revamped Every 28 Hours into an annual Black arts festival for the Bay Area that is nationally recognized. She continues to work closely with partners in San Francisco’s Bayview and Tenderloin neighborhoods and in Oakland to ensure that diverse groups have access to theater outside and inside their communities. 

MASTERCLASS #3​
Friday, August 7 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Actors and Voiceover: Love Your Voice
Instructor: Tony Chiroldes, Broadway performer and voice actor

Tony Chiroldes is a bilingual, New York-based actor, singer, and voiceover performer. An original Broadway cast member of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical In the Heights, Chiroldes played Kevin Rosario in Geva Theatre Center’s 2017 production of that very same musical. Regional credits include Arena Stage (DC), Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, City Theatre Company (Pittsburgh), Milwaukee Rep, Sacramento Music Circus, Seattle Rep, and Westport Country Playhouse (CT). He's the Hulamouse in TV’s Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As a freelance voiceover artist, he has added his voice to literally hundreds of English and Spanish commercials; audiobooks such as Ricky Martin's autobiography, YO, and Pam Muñoz Ryan's The Dreamer (AudioFile Magazine's Earphone Award); and video games such as Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, in which he voiced frantic DJ Pepe Espantoso. He regularly performs simultaneous translation on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. ​

 MASTERCLASS #5
​Friday, August 21, from 2:00pm – 3:00pm
On Juggling Hamilton
Instructor: Jason Bassett, Hamilton Production Supervisor (on Broadway and around the world)

Jason has stage managed many Broadway shows, including Hamilton, The Last Ship, In The Heights, Grey Gardens and Footloose.

​​Aircademy Acting 

Monologues for Auditions

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 11am – 12pm, for 5 weeks (July 20-August 21)
Max Enrollment: 16 students
Age range: 12-18
Instructor: Skip Greer
Tuition: $625

How do I know what monologue to choose? Where should I focus? Why do my hands suddenly look like balloon animals? What is that person on the other side of the table thinking?

​This class is an exploration of the tools that are most useful when creating a relaxed, focused, and successful audition. Over five weeks, participants will select, prepare, and effectively bring to life a monologue of their own choosing, as well as create a new one from scratch. Come prepared to laugh, trust, and grow as we explore monologues and how they connect to all things theatrical. Students enrolled in this course must send the instructor their selection of one contemporary monologue they would like to work on by July 11. 

About the Instructor: Skip Greer has been an actor, director and teacher for over 30 years. He's currently the Artist in Residence/Director of Education at Geva Theatre Center. Skip is entering his 25th season at Geva. Roles at Geva include: Erik Blake in The Humans, Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird, Arthur Przybyszewski in Superior Donuts, and the Stage Manger in Our Town, among others. Other theatres include the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Conservatory Theatre, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Cape Playhouse, Indiana Rep Theatre, White Heron Theatre Company, Sacramento Theatre Company, Studio Arena, Syracuse Stage, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, and Gary Marshalls Falcon Theatre, where he directed Charles Durning, Jack Klugman, Paul Dooley and Graville Van Deusan in the sold out Golf With Alan Shepard. Skip has toured Europe, Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands teaching and performing theatre 

Scene Work Makes the Dream Work 

Foundations of Acting Through Scene Study

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 12:30 – 1:30pm, for 5 weeks (July 20-August 21)
Max Enrollment: 16 students
Age range: 12-18       
Instructor: Lara Rhyner
Tuition: $625               

In this course we will combine group discussion with independent study, partner work, and shared performance opportunities to play to our strengths in this summer's altered environment by exploring texts from contemporary playwrights, scenes from upcoming Geva productions, and stories featuring dynamic relationships between characters who are in different locations. In a judgement-free, non-competitive environment that encourages and supports imagination, collaboration, trust, and safe artistic risk-taking, we will build a strong foundation of acting technique through the lens of scene study, demystify the relationship between actor and character, and pursue active listening and objective in search of the authenticity, vibrancy, spontaneity, and specificity necessary to bring text to life, live truthfully in imaginary circumstances, and discover not only how, but also why, we share these stories. Thorough preparation outside of class (including reading, memorization, text analysis, critical thinking, and independent and small group rehearsal) is expected and essential for all enrolled students.

About the Instructor: Lara Rhyner is in her 8th season as Geva’s Associate Director of Education and the Director of Geva’s Summer Academy program. Throughout the year she oversees a number of Geva’s anchor educational programs, including Geva’s P.L.A.Y. Student Matinee Series, the nationally acclaimed Stage Door Project program, and Geva’s accessibility services, among others. Previous acting, directing, artist-educator, and program director work includes Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Wyoming Center for the Arts, Pones Inc. Laboratory of Movement, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Magik Theatre, and BoarsHead Theatre. BFA Directing from Texas State University. Member of Actors’ Equity Association and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. 

Staging Revolution 

Theatre Towards Social Change

Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 2pm – 3pm, for 5 weeks (July 20-August 21)
Max Enrollment: 15 students
Age range: 14-18
Instructor: Pirronne Yousefzadeh
Tuition: $350

What is the relationship between theatre and protest? How can we create work that galvanizes artists and audiences around a shared cause? In this course, we will study protest theatre movements both in the United States and around the world, and apply those tenets to creating work that speaks to our current sociopolitical moment and the challenges we collectively face. Students who enroll in this course will need to read the article that will be sent to them at least two weeks prior to the first class, and should write a 300-word in response to this question: What change do you want to see in the world? 

About the Instructor: Pirronne Yousefzadeh is a director, writer, and educator, and is the Associate Artistic Director and Director of Engagement at Geva Theatre Center. She has directed and developed work at The Public/Joe's Pub, Playwrights Horizons, New York Theatre Workshop, Ars Nova, Soho Rep, Atlantic Theater Company, Ma-Yi Theater Company, Noor Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Williamstown Theatre Festival, American Conservatory Theater, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cleveland Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, Pioneer Theatre Company, Huntington Theatre Company, Two River Theater Company, Milwaukee Rep, Kitchen Theatre Company, Dorset Theatre Festival, InterAct Theatre Company, On The Boards, and Hangar Theatre, where she was a 2006 Drama League Directing Fellow. Pirronne is a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop, New Georges Affiliated Artist, member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, and an alumna of the Sagal Fellowship at Williamstown Theatre Festival, SDC Denham Fellowship, and Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab. Pirronne is a founding member of Maia Directors, a consulting group for artists and organizations engaging with stories from the Middle East and beyond. MFA, Columbia University. Member, SDC. pirronne.com; maiadirectors.com

Dramawho? Dramawhat? 

An Introduction to Dramaturgy

Schedule: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 9:30am – 10:30am, for 5 weeks (July 20-August 21)
Max Enrollment: 10 students
Age range: 14-18
Instructor: Jenni Werner
Tuition: $525

Maybe it’s a word you’ve seen on a playbill or in a textbook, or maybe you even know someone who is a dramaturg. But what does that mean? In this course, we’ll learn about dramaturgy by doing it – reading and analyzing a play; talking with playwrights, directors, designers, and actors; providing historical and social context for the world created by the play; and designing lobby displays that showcase the world of the play to patrons and audience members. We will work towards a shared project that will enhance your portfolio and your understanding of how theatre is created. Prior to the first class, students enrolled in this course will need a play that will be sent to them.

About the Instructor: Jenni Werner is in her ninth season as Literary Director/Resident Dramaturg at Geva Theatre Center. In that role, she has served as dramaturg on 30 productions, including classics and world premieres. Jenni also produces Geva’s new play programming, has led the development of over 45 new plays during her tenure at Geva, and directs Geva’s commissioning of new plays through the Rochester Stories program. Previously, Jenni served as the Director of Programming at Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and is currently an adjunct instructor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Jenni has an M.F.A. in dramaturgy from UMASS Amherst and a B.A. in theatre and history from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. She serves on the boards of ImageOut, Rochester’s LGBT film festival and the National New Play Network.

Your Voice, Your Power 

Playwriting as a Means of Self-Expression

Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2pm – 3pm, for 5 weeks (July 20-August 21)
Max Enrollment: 10 students
Age range: 14-18
Instructor: Francisca Da Silveira
Tuition: $350

Theatre has the extraordinary ability to entertain, to educate, to foster change, and to give voice to the voiceless. It is a medium rooted in catharsis, in coming together to experience something as a collective and entering into dialogue about the nuances of those experiences after the curtains have closed. It is the playwright’s story and vision that catapults us on this journey. In this playwriting class, students will learn more than the basic craft tools of how to write a play (character development, plot, conflict, structure, and dialogue). They will also be asked to interrogate why they are writing and why playwriting is the medium through which they want to tell their stories. By the end of the five weeks, each writer will not only have the first draft of a 10-page play but, more importantly, they will have a clearer understanding of their voice and artistic mission. This is a class for those who have something to say and want to make their voice and their work stand out as bold, confident, and powerful. Students enrolled in this course will need to come to class prepared to discuss the article that will be emailed to them at least two weeks prior to the class start date, as well as a one-paragraph (300 words max) written statement on the question: What kind of stories do you write and who do you write it for? All answers accepted!
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About the Instructor: Francisca is a Cape Verdean-American playwright who holds a BFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and an MSc in Playwriting from the University of Edinburgh. In 2018, she made ArtsBoston's list of 10 Contemporary Black Playwrights You Should Know. Her plays have been developed with Theatre503 (London), The Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh), TC Squared Theatre Company (Boston), Company One Theatre (Boston), Flat Earth Theatre (Boston), Fresh Ink Theatre Company (Boston), The Fire This Time Festival (New York), and Horse Trade Theater Group (New York). She has been a finalist for SpeakEasy Stage’s 2018 and 2019 Boston Project Residency, Space of Ryder Farm’s 2020 Creative Residence and has been a semi-finalist for the Dennis & Victoria Ross Playwrights Program, the 2019 Papatango New Play Prize and the 2019 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award. Fran's full length play Heritage Hill Naturals received a world premiere with Fresh Ink Theatre (Boston) in May 2018. In addition to writing, Fran also identifies as a playwright dramaturg. From 2016-2018, she was a company dramaturg and Literary Manager at Company One Theatre and co-ran their emerging writers PlayLab program with Andrew W. Mellon Artist-in-Residence Kirsten Greenidge. Fran serves as an At-Large Ambassador with the National New Play Network and participated in the Kennedy Center’s MFA Playwrights’ Workshop as a dramaturg in August 2018. She is currently the Assistant Literary Director at Geva Theatre Centre in Rochester, NY.

Exploring the World of Design 

How and Why It All Comes Together

Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 3:30pm – 4:30pm, for 4 weeks (July 20-August 13)
Max Enrollment: 12 students
Age range: 12-18
Instructors: Apollo Mark Weaver, Derek Madonia, Andrew Mark Wilhelm
Tuition: $560

There is a sound in the night – from just outside the door. The handle slowly turns as the door swings open, allowing a shaft of light to pierce the darkness before settling on a black silk top hat, which somehow seems to float up out of the ground to reveal a man underneath staring out at the crowd impatiently.

How did they do that? And, more importantly, why did they do that? Why that particular high pitched sound? Why that style of doorknob? Why that exact color of light? And why silk for the top hat? Over these four weeks, using a script from Geva’s ’20-’21 season, participants will immerse themselves in the four areas of Stage Design – scenic, costumes, lighting, and sound – and work together to create the complete world that a play lives in. Students will learn how designers read a script to uncover clues and details that help illuminate the world of the play, discover many of the things designers must consider in crafting their ideas and bringing them from concept to fruition, how a design team works together and alongside a director and artistic team to create a cohesive production, and tools and resources to aid a designer in their artistic journey. Student designers will collaborate using all areas of design to solve the riddle of the play.

​About the Instructors:

Derek Madonia has worked for Geva Theatre Center since 1992 and has been the Lighting Supervisor since 1994. In that role he has shepherded the lighting install and implementation for several hundred fantastic shows. He has also acted as the Lighting Designer for 23 productions, including: Steel Magnolias, The Mountaintop, Stranded on Earth, Freud's Last Session, And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank and Private Lives. Derek graduated from Irondequoit High School in 1988 and SUNY Albany in 1991.

Apollo Mark Weaver is a professional scenic designer and theatre educator based in Rochester and working nationally. He worked for many years as Geva’s Charge Artist, during which time he also designed sets for Tinker to Evers to Chance and No Child… Beyond Geva, he has designed sets for companies including Utah Shakespeare Festival, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Azuka Theatre, Redhouse Arts Center, InterAct Theatre Company, Inis Nua Theatre Company, and many more. He has taught at Juniata College and Temple University, plus masterclasses at a wide variety of schools and institutions. He is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, and you can see some of his work on the web at www.apolloweaver.com.

Andrew Mark Wilhelm is a Sound Designer and serves as the Sound Department Supervisor for Geva Theatre Center. Most recently, Andrew was Geva's Sound Designer for Once and Revival: the Resurrection of Son House. Before working at Geva, he was a Sound Engineer and Resident Designer for PCPA in Santa Maria, California. Hailing originally from the Detroit area, with a BFA in Theatre Technology & Design from Oakland University, Andrew is fortunate to have worked in theatres from Florida to California, before settling here in Rochester at Geva.