The Forestburgh
Academy offers arts education programs that are designed to educate and enrich
5-18 year old young artists and to provide the highest level of artistic growth
to those young artists with a strong passion for the performing arts.
Young artists
gain one-on-one mentorship with New York City based, working theatre
professionals helping to develop each young artist into a well-rounded
performer while fostering connection and collaboration with their peers in a
safe and supportive creative environment.
Each year, the FBP Academy host a
series of workshops, including the Spring Break Audition Workshop, Summer
Sessions at FB Academy, a Fall into the Arts Program, as well as one-on-one
training opportunities.
After the popularity of last
year’s summer programs, the Forestburgh Playhouse Academy is thrilled to return
to the garden for Summer Sessions at FB Academy!
This musical theatre intensive is
designed to educate and enrich 8-18 year-old young artists who love to sing,
dance and perform. Throughout the week, young artists’ talents will be fostered
as they receive in-depth exposure to all facets of the theatrical world
including costume and set design, learning professionally choreographed dance
routines, exploring vocal technique, acting instruction, and master classes.
Young artists will work one-on-one with working NYC based directors,
choreographers, and music directors. The week will culminate with an original
production for all their family and friends to enjoy. The dates of the
program are July 10-17 (Session 1) and July 17-24 (Session 2). Times:
9:30-5PM. Tuition: $500/session or $950 for both Sessions. For more
information, click here or call 845-794-2005.
The Forestburgh Academy has worked to create
programming for young artists that meets the moment. In Fall of 2020, the
Forestburgh Academy hosted one of the first outdoor, socially distanced arts
education programs in New York State, safely giving young artists a place to
connect and create even in the most challenging of times. In Summer and Fall of
2021, the Forestburgh Academy returned offering in person programming to
approximately 100 young artists in 3 programs. In 2022, year round arts
education programming is now being offered to the youth of upstate New York and
beyond.
The Forestburgh Academy is committed to keeping arts education
accessible to any young artist that would benefit from participating in the
program. This accessibility is critical due to the fact that the Playhouse is
located in Sullivan County, NY, which is consistently ranked as one of the top
three economically depressed counties in the State of New York. Additionally,
the diminishing arts education opportunities offered by surrounding school
districts increases the urgency for the Playhouse to find ways to provide free
and/or low-cost options for young artists interested in the performing
arts.
In 2021, the Forestburgh Academy offered over 20 scholarships for
our programs. Indeed, current goals are to increase our scholarship and
financial aid offerings in 2022 and the years to come, effectively ensuring
that our arts education programming remains accessible to all. The Forestburgh
Academy has had great success partnering with local schools and teachers to
award scholarships to interested students in traditionally under-resourced
communities in New York.
Spotlight: Forestburgh Playhouse Academy Alumni and
Parents
Below are
quotes from the parents and students of the Forestburgh Academy’s 2021
programming sharing the impact the Forestburgh Academy has had on their
lives.
"Thank
you so much for providing such an amazing experience for not only my child but
also all the children you have guided in these two weeks. [He] has learned so
much and it is truly the happiest that he has been in a long time. You were
his beacon in the storm." (From a parent)
"Thank
you so much for the vision you pour into this camp. Your kindness has changed
my life, and I would love to express how much that means to me. Sadly, that is
not possible. Your guidance exceeds that. I was in a really dark place when I
arrived at your camp and your instruction turned that all around. Not only
have I made so many new friends, I have found my people. No words can
express how happy that makes me feel. All I can say is I owe my happiness to
you and that I wish it wasn't over so soon." (From a young artist)
"I
would like to express my gratitude for this amazing week. In just one day I
saw so much life and happiness back in my kid. I knew that she loved
performing and would love this program, but I didn't know how much it would
help her. COVID really made her have some serious social anxiety and she became
so shy. This experience has brought her back to her normal, bubbly, outgoing,
silly self. Thank you so much. Words cannot express my appreciation." (From
a parent)
About The Forestburgh Playhouse
The Forestburgh Playhouse is a 76-year old
performing arts organization located in Forestburgh, New York, between the
Delaware River Valley and the Catskills. Beginning in 1947, producers from the
Provincetown Playhouse in NYC's Greenwich Village, started summer residencies
as the Forestburgh Summer Theater, featuring classic plays and a drama school.
In 1980 the venue re-branded as the Forestburgh Playhouse and shifted towards
offering Broadway musicals from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
This summer, the Playhouse will present a
production of Alice in Wonderland for families, that will run every
Thursday and Saturday at 11AM starting July 7th. In addition,
the Playhouse will present blockbuster musicals and plays on its mainstage
including: Mamma Mia, Kinky Boots, Something Rotten, and more. The
Playhouse also presents dinner cabarets throughout the week and in the Fall
offers a series of concerts and shows, including The Rocky Horror Show throughout
October. For more information about the Playhouse and its shows, go to www.fbplayhouse.org.