2020 Conservatory & Workshops

If you've attended a Conservatory camp in the past, at Camelot or OCPA, you can expand your theatre training and learning with your camp colleagues - ONLINE. 

To enroll in RETURNING student classes, click here >>> RETURNING STUDENT ENROLLMENT PROCESS. Or, click the button at the bottom of this page.

---

RETURNING Student Bundled Courses:
Includes; Acting in Song, The Perfect Audition, Connecting Breath to the Voice, Continuing Voice, Dance/Combination, Dance/Technique Building, Intro to Voiceover, Physical & Character Building/Scene Study, Songwriting/Composition/Music Theory and Voice Technique.
Tuition:  $630 - DISCOUNTED 20%

---

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

Please note:  Some courses have age requirements.

Acting in Song (Instructor Ramona Mallory)

Mondays; 10:15am-12:15pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $150

• Objective: Song is unique in that it combines the power of both poetry and music. Not an acting class.  Not a singing class.  Ramona Mallory’s “Acting in Song” (AIS) Class teaches how to coordinate delivery of poetry and music through dramatically interpreted lyric and the singing voice.
• Methodology: All students will perform songs strategically chosen by Ramona for each.
• Following each presentation, Ramona will offer direction and enrich performances by sharing applicable techniques from the AIS toolkit. The work will then be presented again.
• Having created an atmosphere of trust, Ramona will then guide classmates in offering constructive observations.
• If desired, performing students will have the opportunity to polish their work and again present in class.
• Outcomes: Recognize the dramatic and vocal obligations and opportunities in any song
• Learn to ride the power of melody to best express ideas and feelings.
• Calm nerves prior to and during a performance by being in the moment-by the moment.
• Polish a performer’s “audition song” of choice

Connecting Breath to the Voice
Continuing Voice;(Instructor:  Renée Hewitt). These two classes will be taken concurrently.

Connecting Breath to the Voice
Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays;
12:45pm-1:30pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $169

Continuing Voice
Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays;
1:45pm-2:30pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $169

• The students will be introduced to an invaluable technique for connecting the breath to the voice using Kristin Linklater’s method.  They will begin to truly understand that not only is breath life but it breathes life into a character.  Once they begin to use Kristin’s use of imagery, the student’s ability to communicate a character without being restricted by the breath, will bring them indescribable freedom.  It will be the beginning work that creates an invaluable tool they will use forever.
• In Continuing Voice, after all that breath work, the students will be taken “out of their heads” by working a song with Ann Baltz’s Outside The Box attitude, gesture and movement and musicality cards.  We’ll do some vocal warm-ups, re-focus on some basic technique for singing and then work on a song that’s been agreed on ahead of time.  Working a song with these cards does exactly what they say, gets the student to think outside the box!  They will be developing the skill of opposites, which is an all important element of acting.  It also gets the student, as I said above, out of their head because they have to react in the moment to an attitude or gesture card that’s been shown to them.  This also develops cold read skills as you have to react without thinking.  How these cards help me as a teacher is, I can then see where the student’s technique goes away or doesn’t, so I know what needs attention and can praise what’s stuck, so to speak, so the student has an accurate knowledge of their abilities.

Dance:  Combination Class;(Instructor: Michael Jenkinson)

Tuesdays;
12:15pm-1:45pm, 3 Sessions
Starts: 7/14/2020 through 7/29/2020
Tuition: $56

• This course will focus on building technique and confidence inside a dance combination, ultimately preparing each student to gracefully tackle the dance audition and callback. Learning to skillfully execute dance vocabulary while gaining confidence to perform inside choreography is paramount for any theatre artisan of any age! Shake off those fears, and confidently hone those dance skills.

Dance:  Technique Building (Beginning & Intermediate); (Instructor: Michael Jenkinson)

Tuesdays;
12:15pm-1:45pm, 3 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/8/2020
Tuition: $56

• Technique is the basis for all dance vocabulary. This summer expand your comprehension of the dance world. Learn to breakdown specific dance technique skill through warm up, floor barre, across the floor combinations, and exhilarating center combinations. Dance is a major component of the overall theatrical lexicon, so use summer 2020 to embrace your inner dancer.
• For returning Conservatory Students, this class will build on and continue to develop dance technique.
• For new students, you will be able to begin solid dance technique or build on what you already know.

Devising Workshop about COVID 19; (Instructors: Renée Hewitt, Kerry Lynch)

This is the only workshop that will be done in person.

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday;
5:15pm - 6:15pm, 1 week
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 6/25/2020
Tuition: $38

We will practice social distancing by placing chairs outside, six feet apart and take students temperatures as they arrive.

If ANY parents or students are uncomfortable with this in-person arrangement,they will be ZOOMED into the class.

• Students will be asked to think about, listen, discuss, explore other perspectives and finally articulate a cohesive piece, as a group, about how COVID 19 has affected them.  They will learn how to structure a piece giving it an arc, climax and denouement.  Art is about how to affect the lives of the viewers so, teaching the students how to use the medium of a screen to effectively communicate the emotions of the piece and have an impact is a very important objective.  Overall, we want to give these 2^nd years some face time with dear friends in a safe emotional environment and give them a chance to process the last few months by applying it to their art.
• Once written, this piece will be scored and then we will reconvene over Zoom for a rehearsal and final performance.  Both the rehearsal and performance are TBD.

Guitar Lessons  (Instructor: Sam Ventura)

Monday - Saturdays; 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, 4 Sessions. Dates and Time to be arranged with Student/Instructor. Additional dates/times are available.
Starts: $20/hour instruction for 4 weeks. Course can be renewed for on-going instruction.
Tuition: $80

• Understand and experience the power of listening One-on-one acoustic and electric guitar lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Lessons will be tailored to each student and will focus on developing repertoire, music theory, ear training, and other essential guitar performance techniques.

Intro To Voiceover; (Instructor: Renée Hewitt)

Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays;
9:00am - 10:00am, 2 weeks
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/3/2020
Tuition: $75

• This 2-week course will cover what voiceover is as well as the different categories of VO:  commercial, animation, industrials and narration.  Voiceover is another field in the industry, perhaps a more accessible and lucrative one, where you can become a working actor.  I will provide scripts to the students from the different categories for them to perform.  They will be directed and guided through the different categories and be given an in depth look into this side of the industry.  They’ll learn as actors, what tools they already possess, what further learning they need to pursue and what equipment and knowledge is needed to record yourself.  By the end of this course, they will know whether or not it’s something they want to pursue.

The Perfect Audition Package;  (Instructor: Michael Jenkinson)

Tuesdays; 10:45 - 11:45pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $75

• Learn to create an exciting and diverse audition package, designed to emphasize each students strengths. In this course students will work on skillfully creating a 16 to 32 bar cutting of a song, as well as crafting a 30 to 45 second monologue of the individuals choosing. Confidence in slating, conversing with the accompanist, and overall audition etiquette will also be covered.
  ( This course could be geared towards students prepping college auditions )

Physical & Character Building Scene Study Class; (Instructor: Michael Jenkinson)

Tuesdays;
9:00am - 10:30am, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $113

• Using a monologue, Michael will bring a deeper understanding of the student’s character through the Laban method. Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a method and language for describing, visualizing, interpreting and documenting all varieties of human movement. The method uses a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating contributions from anatomy, kinesiology, psychology, Labanotation and many other fields. It is one of the most widely used systems of human movement analysis today and is a very valuable source for actors.

Virtual Ensemble; (Instructor: Kerry Lynch)

Wednesdays;
5:00pm - 6:00pm, 2 Sessions
Starts: 6/24/2020 through 7/1/2020
Tuition: $25

• A program where students involved will take part in an ensemble piece. They will record themselves singing their part and these recordings will then become a group virtual recording. The theatre ensemble piece they will take part on will be chosen by the students. Requirements: a device that can record a video of the student with sound, and some type of earbuds or headphones.

Voice Technique; (Instructor: Andrew Brock)

Monday, Wednesday & Thursdays;
11:30am - 12:00pm, 6 Weeks
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $113

• Beginning and Intermediate classes will include: posture, breathing, diction, vowels, expression and some theory.  Intermediate focuses more on difficult repertoire, such as foreign language, while beginning would practice an easier repertoire like folk songs and spirituals.

NEW students will love the convenience and depth of theatre courses offered online in 2020, by educational and  professional theatre instructors.

To enroll in NEW student classes, click here >>> NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENT PROCESS. Or, click the button at the bottom of this page.

NEW Student Bundled Courses:

---

Age 7-14 Year Package.
Includes; Acting, Acting in Song, Songwriting/Composition/Music Theory and Voice Technique.
Tuition:  $421 - DISCOUNTED 20% (reg. $526)

---

Age 15-19 Years Package.
Includes; Acting in Song, Dance/Combination, Dance Technique Building, Monologue Work/Scene Study, Songwriting/Composition/Music Theory and Voice Technique.
Tuition:  $495 - DISCOUNTED 20% (reg. $619)

---

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

Please note:  Some courses have age requirements.

Acting;(Instructor Dennis Foster/Alissa Karen) For Students Ages 7-14.

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesdays; 3:30pm-4:15pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $169

Beginners Acting Class I: The Basics Course Outline

Beginning Acting is the first step in the actor’s education. This class is a great foundation for the craft and introduction to the process of acting. Students will begin to lay the foundation of technique-based artistry through a progressive series of exercises, introduction to script analysis, and open scene study/monologue work.

All exercises are designed to:

• Encourage spontaneity
• Foster acting listening and consideration of true human behavior
• Help the actor become more sensitive, imaginative, responsive, and alive onstage
• Relax the actor
• Provide the actor confidence through understanding terminology and technique common to the craft of acting.
• The learner will demonstrate the ability to understand and accurately use terminology used in the theatre
•  Understand and demonstrate understanding of stage areas and blocking
• Lead a variety of actor warm-ups both physical and vocal
• Memorize a given open scene and perform with a partner via online format
• Actively take blocking and character notes within a given script
• Memorize and perform a given monologue for personal portfolio

Acting in Song (Instructor Ramona Mallory)

Mondays; 12:30pm-2:30pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $150

• Objective: Song is unique in that it combines the power of both poetry and music. Not an acting class.  Not a singing class.  Ramona Mallory’s “Acting in Song” (AIS) Class teaches how to coordinate delivery of poetry and music through dramatically interpreted lyric and the singing voice.
• Methodology: All students will perform songs strategically chosen by Ramona for each.
• Following each presentation, Ramona will offer direction and enrich performances by sharing applicable techniques from the AIS toolkit. The work will then be presented again.
• Having created an atmosphere of trust, Ramona will then guide classmates in offering constructive observations.
• If desired, performing students will have the opportunity to polish their work and again present in class.
• Outcomes: Recognize the dramatic and vocal obligations and opportunities in any song
• Learn to ride the power of melody to best express ideas and feelings.
• Calm nerves prior to and during a performance by being in the moment-by the moment.
• Polish a performer’s “audition song” of choice

Dance:  Combination Class;(Instructor: Michael Jenkinson)

This course can be taken with and follows the Dance/Technique Building Course.

Tuesdays; 2:00pm-3:30pm, 3 Sessions
Starts: 7/14/2020 through 7/28/2020
Tuition: $56

• This course will focus on building technique and confidence inside a dance combination, ultimately preparing each student to gracefully tackle the dance audition and callback. Learning to skillfully execute dance vocabulary while gaining confidence to perform inside choreography is paramount for any theatre artisan of any age! Shake off those fears, and confidently hone those dance skills.

Note:  only ages 15-19 for new students.

Dance:  Technique Building (Beginning & Intermediate);(Instructor: Michael Jenkinson)

This course can be taken with and precedes the Dance/Combination Course.

Tuesdays; 2:00pm-3:30pm, 3 Sessions
Starts: 6/23/2020 through 7/7/2020
Tuition: $56

• Technique is the basis for all dance vocabulary. This summer expand your comprehension of the dance world. Learn to breakdown specific dance technique skill through warm up, floor barre, across the floor combinations, and exhilarating center combinations. Dance is a major component of the overall theatrical lexicon, so use summer 2020 to embrace your inner dancer.
• For returning Conservatory Students, this class will build on and continue to develop dance technique.

Guitar Lessons  (Instructor: Sam Ventura)

Monday - Saturdays; 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, 4 Sessions. Dates and Time to be arranged with Student/Instructor. Additional dates/times are available.
Starts: $20/hour instruction for 4 weeks. Course can be renewed for on-going instruction.
Tuition: $80

• Understand and experience the power of listening One-on-one acoustic and electric guitar lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Lessons will be tailored to each student and will focus on developing repertoire, music theory, ear training, and other essential guitar performance techniques.

Monologue/Scene Study Class;  (Instructor: Ramona Mallory)

Wednesdays; 12:30pm-2:30pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/24/2020 through 7/30/2020
Tuition: $150

• Objective; Ramona Mallory’s Monologue/Scene Study Class will equip young actors to breathe life into a character in multiple forms of dramatic structure.
• Methodology: All students will perform scenes and/or monologues strategically chosen by Ramona for each.
• Following each presentation, Ramona will offer direction and enrich performances by sharing applicable techniques from the crafted actor’s toolkit. The work will then be presented again.
• Having created an atmosphere of trust, Ramona will then guide classmates in offering constructive observations.
• If desired, performing students will have the opportunity to polish their work and again present in class.
• Outcomes: Recognize the obligations and opportunities in any script
• Learn to create a character by calling upon personal life experiences
• Calm nerves prior to and during a performance by focusing on a character’s motivation and being in the moment-by the moment
• Understand and experience the power of listening

Note:  only for students ages 15-19.

Songwriting, Composition, Music Theory; (Instructor: Kerry Lynch)

Tuesdays & Thursdays; 11:45pm-12:30pm, 5 Sessions
Starts: 6/23/2020 through 7/23/2020
Tuition: $150

• A 5-week course where students will be introduced to the basics of creating their own music. We will explore the foundations of music theory and reading sheet music, learn about writing music through different methods or instruments, and work on creating an original piece. All that is needed is pencil and paper. Optional: any instrument the student feels comfortable using, or a software program to create music on.

Virtual Ensemble;(Instructor: Kerry Lynch)

Wednesdays; 5:00pm-6:00pm, 2 Sessions
Starts: 6/24/2020 through 7/1/2020
Tuition: $25

• A program where students involved will take part in an ensemble piece. They will record themselves singing their part and these recordings will then become a group virtual recording. The theatre ensemble piece they will take part on will be chosen by the students. Requirements: a device that can record a video of the student with sound, and some type of earbuds or headphones.

Voice Technique;(Instructor: Andrew Brock)

Monday, Wednesday & Thursday; 11:30am-12:00pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/22/2020 through 7/30/2020
Tuition: $113

• Beginning and Intermediate classes will include: posture, breathing, diction, vowels, expression and some theory.  Intermediate focuses more on difficult repertoire, such as foreign language, while beginning would practice an easier repertoire like folk songs and spirituals.
  
  ENROLL RETURNING STUDENTS NOW
  

New this year are ADULT courses!!!  

To enroll in Adult classes, click here >>> ADULT ENROLLMENT PROCESS. Or, click the button at the bottom of this page.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

Adult Monologue Work/Scene Study Class; Ages 20+  (Instructor: Ramona Mallory)

Saturdays; 12:00pm-2:00pm, 6 Sessions
Starts: 6/27/2020 through 8/2/2020
Tuition: $150

• Objective; Ramona Mallory’s Monologue/Scene Study Class will equip young actors to breathe life into a character in multiple forms of dramatic structure.
• Methodology: All students will perform scenes and/or monologues strategically chosen by Ramona for each.
• Following each presentation, Ramona will offer direction and enrich performances by sharing applicable techniques from the crafted actor’s toolkit. The work will then be presented again.
• Having created an atmosphere of trust, Ramona will then guide classmates in offering constructive observations.
• If desired, performing students will have the opportunity to polish their work and again present in class.
• Outcomes: Recognize the obligations and opportunities in any script
• Learn to create a character by calling upon personal life experiences
• Calm nerves prior to and during a performance by focusing on a character’s motivation and being in the moment-by the moment

the bottom of this page.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

Guitar Lessons  (Instructor: Sam Ventura)

Monday - Saturdays; 5:00 pm-7:00 pm, 4 Sessions. Dates and Time to be arranged with Student/Instructor. Additional dates/times are available.
Starts: $20/hour instruction for 4 weeks. Course can be renewed for on-going instruction.
Tuition: $80

• Understand and experience the power of listening One-on-one acoustic and electric guitar lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Lessons will be tailored to each student and will focus on developing repertoire, music theory, ear training, and other essential guitar performance techniques.

THE INSTRUCTORS/FACULTY:

Andrew Brock - has been a music educator in the Rogue Valley for the past 24 years, where he has taught elementary music. directed middle and high school choirs and college level courses. Andrew completed Master's Degrees in Voice and Music Education from the University of Oregon in 2005, and earned his Initial Administrator’s License from Southern Oregon University in 2011. As a tenor, he has performed with Eugene Opera, Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival (Eugene), University of Oregon Opera Ensemble, Obsidian Opera (Bend) and Aspen Music Festival. Local performances include appearances with Rogue Opera (now Opera Brava), Rogue Valley Chorale, Camelot Theatre, Cooperative Theatre Project, and Siskiyou Singers. In addition to directing for Oregon Conservatory for Performing Arts for the past 10 years, Andrew was on staff at Southern Oregon University, where he taught voice and Class Lessons in Voice. Andrew currently teaches elementary music in the Phoenix-Talent School District.

Dennis Foster - Co-founder, Director of Instruction, and President of the Oregon Conservatory of Performing Arts (OCPA), also founded and directed the Eagle Institute of Performing Arts and several small theatre companies. He has a bachelor’s degree in education from Portland State University, with master’s coursework in theatre production at Central Washington University. He has 30 years of experience in theatre as an instructor, director, producer, and actor. He lives in Hillsboro, OR, where he continues to teach acting and musical theatre to youth and adults both in classes and privately.

Renée Hewitt – Director, Acting and Dance Instructor: Renée has taught voice and acting with the Camelot Conservatory for six years and is excited to be returning! She’s directed both Les Miserables and Spamalot at Camelot as well as choreographing their production of Jekyll and Hyde. Other directing experience includes Co-Directing and Choreographing Antshillvania and an adaptation of Pilgrims Progress for Shoestring Productions and Co-Directing The Swallow at Brookings Harbour Community Theatre. Renee’s formal training includes 25 years of classical jazz and tap, 30 years of private voice lessons and several acting classes including The American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, but most of her experience is practical. Performing on stage at Marriott’s Great America and 11 years sharing the stage with Broadway performers at American Music Theatre of San Jose, where watching and talking to people like Amanda McBroom, Jean Stapleton and Larry Kert, the original Tony in West Side Story, were invaluable.

Michael Jenkinson - is a professional theatre director/ choreographer, actor, and Instructor. Rouge Valley locals may have seen his work as a director/ choreographer at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre on piece such as; Cabaret, 9 to 5, The All Night Strut, and most recently Sweeney Todd. Jenkinson is an Artistic Associate for Sacramento Theatre Company and a former company member for the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA). For both companies Michael has directed, choreographed and performed in numerous shows. He also served as an educator, teaching the disciplines of Dance, Acting, Audition Technique, Vocal technique, and Movement for the Actor. Michael's choreography and acting work have been seen both nationally and internationally on the National and International Tours of Grease, and Fame the musical, as well in regional houses such as; Milwaukee Rep, Delaware Theatre Co., Gateway Playhouse, Phoenix Theatre Co., Ensemble Theatre Co, TheatreWorks Palo Alto, Sierra Repertory Theatre, GeVa Theatre Centre, The Alliance Theatre, and San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre. Upcoming projects include The Odd Couple (OCT), Triumph of Love (CTP), The Book of Will, The Bridges of Madison County (Texas Shakespeare Festival, Summer 2021) and Fun Home (Harlequin Productions, Olympia WA, Fall 2021). Jenkinson is a proud member of Actors Equity Association, AEA.

Kerry Lynch – Voice Instructor Rehearsal Accompanist: Kerry is an actor, singer, teacher and theatre artist from Jensen Beach, Florida. She is an alumna of Stetson University, where she studied Theatre Arts and Vocal Performance. She also spent a semester studying musical theatre at the National Theatre Institute at the prestigious Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT. The last few years, she has been teaching private vocal and piano lessons to all ages, as well as offering acting and musical theatre classes for small groups. Many of her students went on to win first place and runner up at the Florida Federation of Music Clubs Junior Convention.

Ramona Mallory - Since Ramona Mallory began her professional career at the age of 12, her career has developed on parallel tracks; working as a regional and Broadway actress and as an educator, choreographer, director, film producer, and creative developer.

Ramona has offered more than 1,500 performances in both dramas and musicals. In New York, Ramona starred as Luisa in the 50th Anniversary of the Fantasticks. Though offered a role in the Broadway production of Bye-Bye Birdie, she instead chose to accept the role of Anne, in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s, A Little Night Music.

At the age of 19, she was the Co-Director of a semi-professional theater where she taught, produced, directed and choreographed a Youth Program with an enrollment of more than 90 students, ranging in age from 5-18.  Following a national tour with the company of Captain Louie, she joined the time-honored New London Barn Theater where, in addition to coaching and performing, she served as Resident Choreographer.

Also skilled in digital film production and technology, she served as a film editor and Head of Creative Development for a Los Angeles-based enterprise.  In addition to her various roles in the entertainment industry, Ramona operates a successful consultancy developing, branding and marketing artists, businesses and philanthropic efforts.

Sam Ventura is a Nashville, TN based guitarist and producer that has obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Technology from Kent State University and a Masters of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies from Middle Tennessee State University. Over the course of his academic and professional career, Sam has worked as a music director, a touring musician, a pit orchestra guitarist, a music theory tutor, and a session musician.

As a teacher, Sam focuses on building a comprehensive understanding of music theory as it relates to his students favorite songs. By drawing parallels between theoretical and practical ideas, his students develop a strong foundation that encourages growth throughout their musical endeavors. With over 15 years of experience, Sam’s versatile background allows him to teach acoustic and electric guitar to all age groups and experience levels.