THE SUMMER CONFERENCE The Summer Conference offers weekly labs and workshops in acting, directing and playwrighting. On the weekends, a public staged-reading series introduces new works in development for future production at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York. CONFERENCE 2000 WEEK I - 6/26 to 6/30 Group Retreat WEEK II - 7/3 to 7/7 ADVANCED ACTING with Deborah Hedwall and David Newer This workshop will begin each day with exercises and warm-ups concentrating on Meisner Technique. Partners will be given scenes to work on throughout the week, culminating in a performance on the final day in the naturally beautiful setting of the campus. PLAYWRIGHTING with Curt Dempster An intensive, highly individualized workshop for playwrights emphasizing structure, imagination, language, sources of inspiration, marketing rehearsal and production. New work is initiated, read and critiqued. WEEK III - 7/10 to 7/14 CREATING THE ONE-PERSON-SHOW with Kathryn Rossetter WEEK IV - 7/17 to 7/21 THEATRE LAB with Curt Dempster An ensemble lab designed to stretch artistic muscles and challenge plawrights, directors and actors to advance their artistic abilities. Daily workouts, exercises, improvisations, ensemble techniques and work on newly scripted plays will evolve into an in-house festival performance on the final evening. All involved are encouraged to cross over and direct, act or write for the first time. WEEK V - 7/24 to 7/28 ACTOR/DIRECTOR LAB with Jamie Richards and Chris Ceraso The exploration of several plays from first readings, through the formation of dynamic rehersal choices, to the realization of one's interpretation in performance. Special attention will be paid to the collaborative process between directors and actors in rehersal. Daily work will include: warm-up and improvisation; round-table readings of classic and modern plays; rehersal; feedback sessions; and finally, a public performance. Actors and directors will be asked to change places at least once during lab. WEEK VI - 7/31 to 8/4 PLAWRIGHTING RETREAT in cooperation with Sarah Lawrence College Five days of one-on-one mentorship and collaborative workshops with some of EST's best playwrights. A regenerative Lab will focus on the development of your play from concept to completion providing dynamic vital support and inspiration to actors, writers and directors. Faculty: Edward Allen Baker, Arthur Giron, Cassandra Medley, Stuart Spencer, Kevin Confoy and Shirley Kaplan. FEES AND HOUSING Tuition includes classes, room and board. 5 Day workshops - $425.00 except Week VI - $500.00 for more information: phone 212 247 4982