Summer Conservatory FAQ’s
When will information be up for next summer?
Information about summer camps generally is available after January 1st. Registration usually opens around January 15.
What summer conservatory programs are available?
Music Theatre Conservatory: 4 weeks, Ages 8-18, 9-4pm, Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Available
Acting Conservatory: 3 weeks, Ages 8-18, 9-4pm, Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Available
Triple Threat Theatre: 1 week, Ages 8-18, 9-4pm, Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Available
Triple Threat Intensive: 2 weeks, Ages 8-18, 9-4pm, Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Available
Mini Triple Threat: 1 week, Ages 5-7, Time TBA, Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up available ONLY to siblings in Triple Threat Intensive
Fairytale Theatre: 1 week, 2 sessions per summer, Ages 5-7, 10-3pm, Early Drop-Off and Late Pick-Up Available
When are the performances for the Summer Conservatory shows?
Music Theatre Conservatory performances are generally the final weekend of conservatory.
Acting Conservatory performances are generally the final weekend of conservatory.
Triple Threat & Fairytale performances are on the last Friday of the program.
Are tickets to my child’s show included in the tuition?
Yes and No! Tuition often does not cover the cost of the theater spaces and we rely on ticket sales to supplement this expense. We keep ticket prices as low as possible for all Summer Conservatory shows. Tickets are $10/adult and $8/kid for Music Theatre and Acting Conservatory shows. Triple Threat tickets are free with an option to donate the cost of the ticket.
Do the kids get any outdoor time?
Yes! A resounding YES! We believe fresh air, sunshine and even playing in the rain is good for the mind and body. Kids will be going outside every day and should bring appropriate outdoor gear to conservatory each day. Participants attending programs at UAA Fine Arts Building will be utilizing the green spaces around the building and occasionally walking by multi-use trail to Goose Lake Park. Fairytale participants will walk to Fish Creek Park by sidewalk daily for lunch.
What does a typical day of conservatory look like?
9-9:30am: Arrive and greet friends, group warm-ups and acting games
10-10:45am: Show rehearsals OR specialty classes (acting class, audition prep, make-up, costume workshop, improv, etc) One cast will always rehearse their show in the theatre in the morning while the other cast participates in special workshops/games/activities.
10:45am: Break
11-11:45am: Show rehearsals OR specialty classes
12pm-1pm: Lunch
1:15-1:30pm: Focus/Acting games
1:30-2:30pm: Casts switch; Show rehearsals OR specialty classes
2:30pm: Break
2:45pm-3:30pm: Show rehearsals OR specialty classes
3:30pm: Show off! Classes and casts show off a scene or something they learned from the day!
4pm: Release
Each day is filled with something new. Wednesdays feature our ever popular Wednesday Parties in the afternoon - 80’s prom, scavenger hunt, karaoke party, field day and more! Each cast will also get extended time outside 1-2 days per week. Our instructors have a wealth of activities and games at their fingertips and keep the kids busy all day.
Do kids have to audition for roles? What will they be expected to do?
Yes. For Triple Threat programs, depending on the length, kids may be auditioning the first afternoon of the program. However, ATY is unique in that we spend the MOST time possible getting to know the students and preparing them for successful auditions. For Music Theatre and Acting Conservatory, kids will spend 1-2 days preparing for auditions and getting to know the directors before auditioning. Some students show up to Conservatory with audition materials already prepared and we love that! It helps them to feel calm, confident and prepared to the fullest extent for their audition. Auditions almost always include:
* short monologue
* 30-60 seconds singing a song
* Dance/Movement
What if my child doesn’t get the part they wanted?
First of all, we have worked to perfect our audition processes at ATY, making sure every kid feels seen, heard, and has a great audition no matter how nervous they are. While other programs may do auditions the first day, we spend 1-3 days getting to know the kids personally, how they work, and what they love BEFORE asking them to do this very hard thing of putting themselves out there to audition. We work hard to see the potential and strengths in each and every kid before the audition and we pride ourselves on that process.
However, it can be really tough navigating big feels when your kid doesn’t land the role they were hoping for - and not just kid feels - we parents feel them too! It’s completely normal to feel disappointed, and those feelings are valid. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there at auditions.
You can help us reiterate the joy and hard work, community, and team spirit that comes with being involved in theatre at home. We hope you will help remind them this is a learning experience that contributes to their growth as an actor and that it’s important to celebrate the effort and work they put into the audition. They can feel confident that they will grow in skills no matter what role they play and be proud of the final product.
Continue to acknowledge, encourage and uplift your young actor through any disappointment they may experience, as we will at Conservatory. Each student is cast intentionally and in a place they will shine. Through the rehearsal process, we help each cast member see the infinite potential of their role!
We also use personal stories at Conservatory from our directors and staff to help work through these big feelings. All of us, at some point in our lives, have been cast as a “tree”. It's the actor's job to be the best, most interesting trees they can be, and it's our job as adults to let them know we couldn't take our eyes off the scene-stealing, tree fabulousness!
If you have a stage-obsessed kid and see more auditions in their future, here are a few more resources to help with navigating casting announcements:
Great advice on getting cast in the ensemble:
Steps to help kids process disappointment and learn:
https://www.treasurevalleychildrenstheater.com/audition-rejection-how-to-deal-a-parents-guide/
Witty and heartwarming story from a theatre mom of a tree:
https://momsoftweensandteens.com/the-time-my-daughter-was-a-tree-school-play/
Why do the same kids seem to get cast in lead roles?
The shortest answer is that those kids do the most auditions! Kids who show up and continually work on their craft tend to gain even more experience that helps them be successful in their next show or audition. Kids who seem to be very talented are also usually working on their craft outside of theater activities with voice lessons, dance classes, acting classes and more. They live and breathe theater and therefor have more confidence and more experience headed into auditions. So…the BEST answer is…keep showing up! We LOVE seeing kids who started off with not getting cast and in 2-3 years end up with the lead - it’s the most wonderful feeling! But the most important thing is that they never gave up showing up. The beauty of Summer Conservatory is that you are guaranteed a chance to audition and guaranteed a role in the show - take that experience and learn everything you can from it!
A note on “favoritism” - our creative teams are constantly revolving. We rarely have the same director teams for our shows and programs - most teams are meeting kids for the first time in auditions or at programs and have no prior experience with them. Favoritism does not play at ATY.
My child sometimes gets overwhelmed, is there a quiet space they can go when they feel overwhelmed?
Yes. ATY will maintain quiet rooms where kids needing space and quiet can retreat until they feel like returning to the activity. We will also have various support tools like noise canceling headphones, fidgets, and weighted blankets to continue creating a safe and welcoming environment for all kids who need it. We encourage you to send any aids along with your child that will assist them to have a great time at conservatory. That being said, we are not equipped to provide 1-1 support for students.
How do we contact you during the programming day?
The best method is to either call or text us at (907) 338-4901. You may also email us at aty@alaskatheatreofyouth.org if it is not an emergency. Additionally, we use the Band app to communicate with parents in each program.
My kid has an appointment and must leave conservatory for a bit, can I pick them up and bring them back?
Absolutely.
My kid has to miss a day of conservatory/performance, is that ok?
Generally…yes. However, since they will be part of a team working together to produce a show, please be mindful that every day they are not in attendance leaves the cast at a significant disadvantage. If you will be gone for more than 2 days or absent for a performance, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can make adjustments to the rehearsal schedules and plan for understudies.
My child doesn’t have any theater experience - will they be ok at conservatory?
We think so! There are so many opportunities for actors with varying levels of expertise. If they want to jump in feet first and go for a leading role, we welcome that! If they want to have fun dressing up in a costume and being on stage with friends, but not the star, there is a place for them! We work hard to meet each kid at the level of participation for which they feel comfortable. However, we do ask for a good attitude, a willingness to try new things, and an actor who is able to take direction.
What is your EIN number and can I get a receipt for my conservatory purchase?
Our EIN is 92-0102436. If you need a receipt for your purchase, please email admin@alaskatheatreofyouth.org
Have more questions? Contact us HERE. We will continue to update this page!