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Start Your Story with NMU Department of Theatre and Dance!
Are you a high school student interested in studying theatre or dance in college? Be a Northern Michigan University Theatre or Dance major for a day! Spend the day attending classes, meeting the faculty and staff, hanging out with current students, and you'll even get some free merch!
***Open to High School Students: 9th-12th Grade***
This year's event will take place on Monday, February 19th, 2024 from 8:00AM-4:00PM. Please register for this event using the form below! We are changing things up this year and are letting you choose your classes! Instead of choosing a major, please choose the course you are most interested in attending for each time slot in the registration form linked below. Scroll down the page to read the course descriptions and get insight to the topics you will learn about! Registration will close at 5:00PM on Wednesday, February 14th, 2024.
For those who are registered, a final schedule and informational email will be sent to all registrants on Friday, February 16th, 2024.
Schedule and Course Descriptions listed below.
Schedule & Course Descriptions
8:00AM - 8:30AM:
Check In & Breakfast
8:30AM - 8:50AM:
Admissions Talk-back
9:00AM - 9:40AM:
Class #1
Participating students may choose one of the following courses to attend during this time slot. Click on the course names below to read descriptions and decide which course you are most interested in!
Advanced Sound & Media Design
Instructor: Bill Digneit
Location: Forest Roberts Theatre Conference Room - TFA 102
Description: Advanced skills, software and techniques of a sound and media designer for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are diving deeply into sound and media design for theatre and other relevant industries.
Intermediate Tap
Instructor: Kristen Beth Ludwig
Location: Dance Studio - McClintock 125Q
Description: This course will be a continuation of tap dance technique from Beginning Tap through a choreographed warm-up, center and across the floor combinations, and choreography. The class will examine the Al Gilbert curriculum, technical elements, and commercial and musical theatre tap.
Stagecraft
Instructor: Braeden Ingersoll
Location: Scene Shop (McClintock)
Description: This course provides a basic knowledge of construction practices and techniques as they relate to theatre. Topics such as building materials, hardware, flat construction, weight bearing scenic units, and shop safety will be discussed.
10:00AM - 11:40AM:
Class #2
Participating students may choose one of the following courses to attend during this time slot. Click on the course names below to read descriptions and decide which course you are most interested in!
Creative Composition
Instructor: Karina Johnson
Location: Dance Studio - McClintock 125Q
Description: A practical experience focusing on the choreographer’s creative process for solo dances. Emphasis will be placed on identifying, selecting and utilizing a variety of source material through use of critical evaluation skills for dance, use of choreographic devices, use of improvisation for generating movement, creating meaning through the use of time, space, energy/force, and weight, and creation of a written personal artistic statement.
Stage Electrics
Instructor: David Pierce
Location: Forest Roberts Theatre
Description: An introduction to the skills and techniques of a specialized master electrician for theatre and the entertainment industry. Students are introduced to basic lighting equipment, maintenance and cleaning of equipment, proper hanging and focusing procedures, as well as basic stage electrics practices.
Stage Voice 1
Instructor: Jimmy Ludwig
Location: Choir Room - TFA 250
Description: This class is a 100 level voice for the stage class designed for students in the Acting programs. The class will focus on student actors' vocal awareness and speech dexterity. Students will be exposed to vocal exercises designed to strengthen their speaking/breathing instrument, gaining flexibility, thereby allowing them freedom of physical expression into character exploration.
11:45AM - 12:45PM:
Lunch in Northern Lights Dining
Students will be accompanied by NMU Theatre & Dance students, faculty, and staff.
1:00PM - 2:40PM:
Class #3
Participating students may choose one of the following courses to attend during this time slot. Click on the course names below to read descriptions and decide which course you are most interested in!
Beginning Jazz
Instructor: Kristen Beth Ludwig
Location: Dance Studio - McClintock 125Q
Description: This course will explore the basics of jazz dance technique through a choreographed warm-up, center and across the floor combinations, and choreography. The class will examine the Luigi technique, technical elements, and commercial and musical theatre jazz.
3:00PM - 4:00PM:
Class #4
Participating students may choose one of the following courses to attend during this time slot. Click on the course names below to read descriptions and decide which course you are most interested in!
Theatre History
Instructor: Lex van Blommestein
Location: McClintock 122
Description: Study of major historical periods from theatre's beginnings until 1700. Topics include the evolution and social context of theatre in the various periods; playwrights, plays and dramatic conventions of each period; and production styles and methods.
