The U.P. Summer Theater Institute

04/09/2022

“We adults often underestimate young people…what they’re aware of and what they’re capable of. I’ve found that young actors are more than capable of stepping up to the challenge if we just give them a chance. They rise to the occasion. They dive wholeheartedly into storytelling with an energy and zeal that sometimes we adults have to work harder to find. Often, kids and young adults are some of the most honest actors and performers that you’ll see onstage. They astound me with their big hearts and humor.

Kids and young people are always watching us, whether we realize it or not. They’re learning from us (adults) beyond anything we say out loud or aim to ‘teach’ them. They’re learning behaviors and social skills from whatever we model for them in our own interactions with the world and people around us. They’re in tune with the emotional undertones in social interactions. In acting we call those undertones the ‘subtext’- what we’re really thinking or feeling underneath the words we say out loud or the actions we choose. Young people pick up on this, and if you ask them and listen, they’ll tell you what they notice. I’m always amazed at how perceptive, smart, and observant they are. This is why kids and young people make some of the most heartbreaking and heartwarming actors and theatermakers.

This is also why it’s so important to give them a chance to explore their self-expression and self-discovery in the creative and performing arts…to be heard and seen. They not only surprise us, but more importantly they surprise themselves…which builds a sense of confidence and self-worth. It also helps them become more empathetic and compassionate human beings. They learn cooperation and collaboration. They develop problem solving skills and their ability to come up with creative solutions.

There’s nothing more exciting than witnessing young people begin to find their own voice…to see their hearts and eyes light up with joy and discovery. This is why we do what we do. This is the magic of theater education.”

-Executive Artistic Director, Erin Thompson

04/08/2022

Nothing better than a sunny morning serenade! Even on breaks between rehearsals our theatermakers gather to share music magic.

Check out this spontaneous jam session, skillfully played on the lobby piano of the by one of our fabulous theatermakers last summer, during Broadway Bound 2021!

-music from the Amelie soundtrack, composed by Yann Tierson

04/07/2022

We get it…not everyone who loves theater wants to perform. If you’d rather build the costume than wear it, or if you can’t WAIT to test your skills on mixing the soundboard or running the light cues…WELCOME friends. If your happy place is organizing chaos and calling cues (hello future stage managers), we have a program for you!

Technical/Design students will work directly on mounting a full-scale musical under the mentorship of top industry professionals to hone their skills in lighting, audio/sound design, set design/construction, costume design/construction, stage management, and more!

Theatermakers spend three weeks fully immersed in the hands-on experience of working with state-of-the-art equipment at the beautiful facilities of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts (seen in photo).

Join us in Broadway Bound, July 11th-31st at The. U.P. Summer Theater Institute! Find more out information and register now on our website. www.upsummertheater.com
(Link in bio!)

04/07/2022

Calling all Middle School and High School theatermakers! Performers AND Tech/Design creators are invited to join us for our 2022 Summer Season as we create a new landscape of theater for the next generation of theatermakers!

Two programs. Two tracks. Three options to choose from!
* BROADWAY BOUND: July 11-31, 2022
* THEATER WORKSHOP: August 1-6, 2022
OR…
* BROADWAY BOUND EXTENSION (both programs combined): July 11-August 7, 2022

Scholarships, payment plans, and housing available! Check out program details and descriptions below.

BROADWAY BOUND: THE FULL MUSICAL PRODUCTION
Age/Grade Level:
Performers Ages 11-17/Currently Grade 6-11
Tech/Design Ages 13-17/Current Grade 8-11
Dates: July 11th-31st (3 weeks)
Cost: $2250 for Local/Commuter
$3900 for Sleepaway Theatermakers (Tuition includes room/board provided in partnership with local college)

Program Description: In Broadway Bound, theatermakers are immersed in the exciting three week process of putting up a full-scale, full-length musical production! They are led through this dynamic process by a diverse team of professional artists, designers, and technicians from the stages of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and nationally renowned regional theaters. Theatermakers choose between one of two tracks for their focus in Broadway Bound: Performing or Tech/Design. The 3 weeks culminate in multiple public performances of the show on the state-of-the-art stages of the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts!

THEATER WORKSHOP @ UPSTI
Grade Level: Grades 6-11/Ages 11-17
Dates: August 1st-6th (1 Week, 6 days) Monday-Saturday
9am-3:30pm daily
Cost: $600

Program Description: In Theater Workshop we switch gears and take a deep dive into educational masterclasses and workshops led by our fabulous team of professionals, as well as faculty from Michigan Tech University’s theater tech/design dept. This is a more process-centered program, with less emphasis on performance, and more emphasis on exploration and technique. We end the week with a showcase performance for invited family and friends.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: *Registration extended on a first come, first served rolling basis through May 1st. Limited availability left! Sign up via our website: www.upsummertheater.com

03/03/2022

Registration for The U.P. Summer Theater Institute’s 2022 summer programming is now open! (link in bio)

Join us in creating a new landscape of American Musical Theater with the next generation of theatermakers, movers, and shakers!

07/19/2021

Who says theatre training is just all fun and games? 😜

After a year spent isolated and virtual learning during the pandemic and a long winter for our Upper Peninsula kids, nothing better than some ensemble building, icebreaking circle games to start the day! It’s the giggles for me.

07/12/2021

Missing our morning warm-ups with this fabulous group of theatermakers in the gorgeous facilities of ! Swipe left for a moment of zen before we start the day.

We end each warm-up with a quiet meditative moment, our hands over our hearts and bellies, to check in and see where our minds and hearts are at each day.

07/07/2021

Day 2: A choir of angel voices singing “When I Grow Up” from Matilda. 💗💗💗 We cannot get over how fabulous this ensemble of young theatermakers is!

2021 Broadway Bound at The Upper Peninsula Summer Theater Institute.

06/07/2021

Yesterday marked the 30 Day countdown until “curtain-up” for the 2021 Season of The U.P. Summer Theater Institute!

We have a FABULOUS ensemble of theatermakers assembled for our Broadway Bound theatre intensive. We cannot wait to work with you!

June 5th was the deadline for registration...however we have 3 spots left in our program. We are extending the deadline for the last 3 spots to June 15th.

If you want to join us, sign up ASAP to grab one of the last spots in our intensive July 5th-10th at the Rozsa in Houghton, MI!

You can register and find out more details about our 2021 summer programs at https://www.upsummertheater.com/2021-programs.

If you can’t make it to us in early July, check out our Virtual Musical Theater Intensive July 19th-24th.

We can’t wait to see you at the Stage Door!

05/28/2021

Baby’s first radio interview! 🤓

As avid fans of public radio programming and all of the WONDERFUL opportunities it offers in allowing listeners to access programs that provide a platform the the performing arts, we couldn’t be more thrilled that UPSTI’s first interview of the season was with NMU’s Public Radio 90!

Check out their webpage for a listen to the recent interview with Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Erin Thompson, and for a look into programs we’re bringing to the next generation of theatermakers this summer in the U.P.!

05/28/2021

Thank you Kurt Hauswirth and Public Radio 90 for a wonderful interview about our upcoming programs this summer!

The U.P. Summer Theater Institute is a summer program “for the next generation of theater-makers, movers and shakers.” The program is for current 6th-11th graders, where they are immersed in a three week program of learning by doing, from a team of artists, designers and technicians from the stages of Broadway, Off-Broadway and nationally renowned regional theaters.

Kurt Hauswirth spoke with founder and artistic director Erin Thompson via phone to tell us more about this exciting opportunity for youth in the Upper Great Lakes:

https://www.wnmufm.org/post/interview-erin-thompson-founder-and-artistic-director-summer-theater-institute

For more information and to register, visit upsummertheater.com

05/19/2021

We're excited to announce our 2021 Summer Programs!

All high school and middle school age theatermakers are invited to join us as we bring Broadway to your backyard, and create a new landscape of theater for the next generation of theatermakers.

A few highlights of what we'll be offering this year include:
⭐️ The premiere of our in-person, weeklong theater intensive, Broadway Bound, at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in Houghton, MI! Join us July 5th-10th.
⭐️ Back by popular demand, we’re delighted to bring you another staple program of The U.P. Summer Theater Institute: our Virtual Musical Theater Intensive! For those of you unable to travel to us, we will continue to bring Broadway to your backyard. Join us for Session #1 on July 19th-24th, and/or Session #2 on August 2nd-6th.

Strict Covid-19 precautions and protocols will be followed for our in-person program and can be found described in more detail on our website via our Covid-19 page. Thank you for keeping your family and your community safe!

For a more detailed breakdown of all our 2021 programming, including details, dates, and rates visit www.upsummertheater.com (LINK IN BIO)!

We'll see you at the Stage Door!