Summer Arts Clinic

Dance course offerings

Hip Hop Dance*

Dancers of all skill levels will experience different regional hip hop dance skills originating in New York City, California’s Bay Area, and Chicago. Through a focus on the styles of hip hop and house, participants will learn about five important elements of dance: popping, locking, breaking, hip hop, and house.

Each class will start with a warm-up followed by a presentation of the historical, cultural, and dance context of the movement. After we lay the foundation, participants will apply their skills through a movement lesson and improvisation basics.

Modern Technique*

Modern technique is the study of various practices that work with balance, direction and momentum, release of the joints, and individual expression. This class is designed to prepare the dancer to move fully through space, to use personal expression, and to develop an awareness of self.

Pilates

This class aims to improve strength, stability, and alignment, and to develop core strength. It uses a variety of Pilates techniques to help students engage their muscles more deeply and improve their body awareness.

Design course offerings

Exploring Architecture Through Miniature Models* (Limited Enrollment – 12)

The goal of this workshop is to introduce high school students to the world of architecture by engaging them in the process of designing and creating a small-scale architectural model. The focus will be on thinking about space, form, and function in a creative way. During the architecture workshop, students will learn basic principles of architectural design and construction by working on a hands-on project: designing a small-scale pavilion as a functional object in everyday life inspired by architecture.

Flower Power: Eco Fashion and Plant Dyes* (Limited Enrollment – 12)

In this hands-on experience, students will learn how to use flowers and other plants to create natural dyes, and will custom dye and alter their own clothing! Students will explore multiple processes using both fresh and dried plant material and will create a variety of colorful effects on cloth. In addition, they will gain awareness of the environmental impact of the fashion industry and be introduced to more eco-friendly alternatives. No prior sewing or dying experience is required.

STREETWEAR AND SUSTAINABLE STYLE: Exploring Upcycled Design through Hip-Hop* (Limited Enrollment – 12)

In this week-long course, students will take inspiration from a musical artist or song in order to design and construct fashion-forward streetwear garments. In addition to learning the basics of fashion design including moodboarding, illustrating and sewing, students will practice mending, dying, altering and other skills needed in order to turn second-hand textiles into wearable pieces that reflect their personal style. At the end of the week, students will showcase their work in a fashion show featuring their musical inspiration. No prior sewing or dyeing experience is required. Skills that students will learn: – How to create croquis and sketch designs. – How to create a mood board. – How to make basic garment alterations such as flaring pants, mending holes, adding patches and making simple size alterations. – How to use cyanotyping dying and print on a tote bag.

Theatre and drama courses

Actors Lab 360*

This course explores how we tell stories through acting. Through creative play, group exercises, and skill-based rehearsals gain valuable training in voice and diction, characterization, focus, staging, and more.

Fundamentals of Theatrical Design*

This course explores foundational elements of theatrical design and developing the skills to translate text into visual and/or aural content. Involves an introduction to script analysis; visual, aural, and dramaturgical research; problem solving skills; creative exploration and visual communication. Relevant to designers, directors, actors, stage managers, technicians, and informed audience members.

Fundamentals of Improvisation*

Participants will engage in interactive exercises and reflective conversations that explore the fundamental principles of improvisational theatre and how they apply to performance and to our everyday lives. These improv modes—listening actively, failing cheerfully, making others feel safe and look good—can facilitate creative thinking, foster collaboration, and add to our daily interactions a sense of play, delight, humor, and humility.

Young Playwrights Bootcamp*

Young Playwrights Bootcamp is led by dramatist and stage director, Audrey Standish.   Students explore personal expression in writing, theme, and the art and form of dramatic writing. Students will work individually and in teams, with a final presentation on the last day.  

Visual art courses

Glass Casting and Imagery* (Limited enrollment 12)

Students will explore the unique technique of open-faced kiln casting, where they will learn to create intricate glass pieces by layering glass frit or fine particles into a mold, then using high heat in a kiln to melt and shape the glass. The open-faced method allows for greater control over texture and design, giving students the opportunity to experiment with different materials and effects.

Screen Printing* (Limited enrollment 12)

Explore the variety of techniques in the screen printing process from burning images into photo emulsion to creating custom stencils. Set yourself up for printing a variety of materials and learn screen coating with emulsion, photograms, applying pen/crayon/paint lines for different effects and other image-forming techniques. Includes basics of printing on paper, cloth, wood and non-traditional substrates.

The Wheelhouse Experience* (Limited enrollment 12)

Wheelhouse Studios is an open art studio in Madison, located in the lower level of Memorial Union. Students will experience a variety of artistic learning in clay, woodburning, collaging, painting, and art journaling. Come exercise your creative self! 

Summer Arts Instructors