Ensemble Theatre  Community School

ETC Information Packet

Dear ETC Student,

Welcome to ETC. We are delighted that you are going to be with us for the summer and excited about plans for the coming season. I hope the end of your school year is going well!  The entire faculty is already busy planning for the summer.  We hope the enclosed information will answer most of the questions you and your family have about the upcoming summer.  Please read everything below. 

Please Note:  All mail sent after June 15th must be sent to P.O. Box 188, Eagles Mere, PA  17731.

1) Student Contract - Due by June 15

2) Health Form and Permission to Treat  - Due by June 15

3) Smoking Permission Form - Due by June 15

4) Travel Plans
                Directions
                Travel Plans Form  - Due by June 20 or as soon as possible

5) Tuition Payment Plan - Deposit due by June 15

6) Essential Information

Accommodations
Performances
Mail
Telephone
ETC's Music Policy
Email and Electronics

7) Things To Bring

Bedding
Clothing
Stage Make-up
Miscellaneous
Spending Money

8) Preparation

9) Audition Information

10) Faculty Bios

If you have a question not answered in the packet, be sure to email us or call. The best time to reach us is in the evening after 8:00 and before 11:00, but you can always leave a message. Try us at (216) 378-2188, since that's the number we answer at home.

Please be certain to return your deposit and contract by June 15th.  See you on June 28.

    Seth Orbach           
    Director
    ETC School

TRAVEL PLANS - INFORMATION

Travel By Car - See directions below

Travel By Bus - We pick up and drop off students at the Martz-Trailways bus station in Wilkes Barre.  http://www.martztrailways.com/

Travel By Air - We pick up  and drop off students at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport at AVOCA

Please fill out the online form below or print and fill out the form linked below to give us ADVANCE warning and specific information about flight numbers, time of arrival, etc.

Students must deposit their return ticket or the money for their return ticket with us when they arrive.

DIRECTIONS

By Plane: We will happily meet students arriving by plane at the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Airport at AVOCA (airport code AVP).  http://www.flyavp.com/2003/

It is EXTREMELY important to let us know your travel plans so that we can make appropriate arrangements!

If you are flying into New York City, take a bus to Port Authority (42nd Street) and from there, take the Martz bus as described below:

By Bus:  The best way to arrive by bus from New York is to take the Martz/Trailways bus line from Port Authority to Wilkes-Barre.   There is also a Martz bus from Philadelphia. 

http://www.martztrailways.com/

For schedule and fare information, call 800 225 6815   Martz/Trailways or 212 564-8484 (this is the Port Authority information number).

By Car:
From New York:

• Interstate 80 to Exit 232 (Buckhorn).
• Follow Route 42 North. This winds up the mountain for about 40 miles.
• Route 42 runs through Eagles Mere.  Slow down as you pass the golf course on your left and a small wooden sign with Eagles Mere written on it on your right. Pass the Real Estate Office and the Catholic chapel on your right.
• As you come into the center of town (Sweet Shop on left; town clock on right), turn left. We are the first house on the left between the Sweet Shop and the Presbyterian Church.

From Philadelphia:

• Take the Northeast Extension to the Pocono Interchange.
• Follow Interstate 80 West to Exit 232 (Buckhorn).
• Follow Route 42 North. This winds up the mountain for about 40 miles.
• Route 42 runs through Eagles Mere.  Slow down as you pass the golf course on your left and a small wooden sign with Eagles Mere written on it on your right. Pass the Real Estate Office and the Catholic chapel on your right.
• As you come into the center of town (Sweet Shop on left; town clock on right), turn left. We are the first house on the left between the Sweet Shop and the Presbyterian Church.

From Massachusetts, Connecticut, Westchester:

• Take I-84 West towards Scranton.
• Follow signs for I-81 North.
• Take the exit for US 6 West (it is the second US 6 exit, the first is for US 6 East) at Clarks Summit.
• Follow US 6 West.
• A few miles after Tunkhannock take a left onto route 87 West (towards Mehoopany).
• You will pass a Paper Mill and go over a river.
• When you come to an intersection turn left to stay on 87.
• Follow 87 into Dushore (1/2 hour to 40 minutes).
• At the stop light in Dushore (the only one in the county) turn left onto US 220 South.
• Take 220 South about 10 - 15 minutes to Route 42 South at Laporte.
• Turn right on Route 42 South.  You pass through Laporte.
• Eagles Mere is about 6 miles from Laporte. When you come into Eagles Mere there is a lily pond on your right. Go straight through town.
• Take the 4th right after the lily pond (Pennsylvania Avenue). Before you turn you will see the town green on your right and the town shops on your left. ETC is the second house on the left after you turn.

From the West.

Take Route 80 to exit 178, Milesburg (US 220 North).  Follow 220 towards Williamsport.  220 will join with I 180.  Take the Pennsdale Exit and continue to follow 220 North.  At Muncy Valley (not Muncy!) take a left onto PA 42 North.  Follow about 6 miles into Eagles Mere.  Take a left at the town clock, the Players' Lodge is the second house on the left.

TRAVEL PLANS FORM
PLEASE SUBMIT THIS FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE -
Submit your information with the form below.  After filling out the information below click on the submit button - Due by June 20

TUITION PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND REFUND POLICY

Please submit a $500 deposit by June 15th.  Students planning to attend the program must submit tuition paid in full by arrival.  If you have a payment plan you should pay according to our agreement.  All mail sent after June 15 must be sent to P.O. Box 188, Eagles Mere, PA  17731.

After a deposit has been made and/or full tuition paid, a refund may be obtained only under the following circumstances:

1. If a student must withdraw after the program has begun due to serious illness, accident, or other similar circumstances beyond the student's control, a refund of up to $500.00 may be obtained. A refund in such a case would be subject to the discretion of ETC's Director.

2. If a student must withdraw before the program has begun due to serious illness, accident, or other similar circumstances beyond the student's control, a refund of up to $1500 may be obtained. A refund in such a case would be subject to the discretion of ETC's Director.

If a student is asked to leave the program due to unacceptable behavior, no refund will be made.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

ACCOMMODATIONS
If your family plans to stay overnight when they drop you off, or if they want to come up to see a performance, here is a list of places to stay in the area.  Reservations are essential.

• The Eagles Mere Inn (570) 525-3273 (2 night minimum) eminn@epix.net (most expensive)  http://www.eaglesmereinn.com/
• Crestmont Lodge (570) 525-3519 crestmnt@epix.net (a bed and breakfast with a 2 night minimum on weekends)  http://www.crestmont-inn.com/
• The Sonestown Inn (570) 482-3000 (15 minute drive from EM)
• Pavilion at the Park (570) 946-1010 (10 minutes away) management@thepavilionatthepark.com
• Forksville Inn (570) 924-3916 theinn@epix.net
• Cherry Mills Lodge (570) 928-8978 (20 minutes away in Dushore)
• The Bodine House (570)-546-8949 (30 minutes away in Muncy) http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ppf/inn/204823/Listing.aspx
• Hidden Haven (570) 924-4256 (20 minutes away in Forksville) email -  lbennett@epix.net. 
• The Picture Rocks Motel (570) 584-3389) (20 minutes away in Picture Rocks)

If you have difficulty making appropriate arrangements, please let us know and we will do our best to help.

PERFORMANCES

Pocketful of Rhyme is a very short ensemble children's play.  To prepare, please bring a favorite children's poem that you can act out, using your whole body!  We will present the play in Eagles Mere on the beach at 2 pm on Saturday, July 5th and at Camp Dost on Tuesday, July 8th at 7 pm.  Camp Dost is a program for children suffering from or recovering from cancer. Bonus points if your poem rhymes or could involve young children in an interesting way.

MAIL
All mail should be addressed like this:

Students traveling from far away are welcome to send boxes ahead.  Be sure to mark well with HOLD FOR ARRIVAL

TELEPHONE
It is easiest to reach us between 6:00 p.m.  and 11:00 p.m.
Before June 20, Seth Orbach can be reached at (216) 378-2188.
After June 20, the office number for the school is: (570) 525-3043.
To reach a student, please use this number: (570) 525-3001.
There are answering machines on both lines.

Students are encouraged to use the pay phone directly across the street when calling family or friends because we cannot allow the house line to be tied up for any length of time.  Cell phone service is not generally available in Eagles Mere. Parents are reminded that because students are often in class and rehearsal, it may be difficult to reach them.

ETC'S MUSIC POLICY
Music is a source of inspiration, an essential element of theatre, and a typical form of recreation for most of us every day.  While recorded music is used extensively in classes at ETC, as you know from your phone interview or audition, during the 5 weeks of the program, we require students to avoid the comfortable familiarity of listening to recorded music during individual time.  Leaving that which is familiar can be an important aspect of creativity.  The making of original music is encouraged! If you would like to bring a walk man or disc man as you travel to us, fine, but we ask you to embrace this philosophy, open yourself to new experiences, and put away the walkmen or discmen until you leave us.  Please do not bring clock radios.

E-MAIL AND ELECTRONICS
It is not possible for us to provide adequate computer access or time for all students to communicate with friends and family via e-mail.  We remind you of the joys of writing and receiving letters; when you arrive back at home in August, you will have new found wonder for the delight of almost instant communication.  Please do not bring electronic games (game boys or any variation of same).

THINGS TO BRING:

BEDDING
You will need to bring:
linens - all student beds are twin beds
a pillow
towels
wash cloth
a beach towel
at least one blanket (since evenings are often chilly)
We have additional blankets and quilts students may use when needed.

CLOTHING
Remember that four weeks is not a very long time and our storage situation is extremely limited, so try to keep clothing and other possessions to a minimum. Your room will do laundry once a week.

The weather in Eagles Mere is temperamental.  Days in July do not get much above 80 degrees, and evenings can be cold, so in addition to t-shirts and shorts, be sure to bring at least one warm sweater.  For the most part, we all wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and that can get dirty.  Sweats, leotards, and loose pants are fine.  However, we are also invited to various cultural events sponsored by the Eagles Mere Friends of the Arts, and on these occasions, we ask that girls wear a skirt or dress or dressy pants, and boys, a coat and tie.  Other necessities include:

a bathing suit
a rain slicker
shoes you can hike in
One solid bright colored t-shirt and solid colored pants or shorts (no writing, no insignias on either pants or t-shirts).
Black sweat pants , yoga pants or leggings and a solid black top (long sleeves preferred).

If you own the following, please bring them, but do not feel you need to go out and buy them:

Overalls for the children's play and for tech work.

Girls:
Black ballet slippers or black jazz shoes.
One pair of pumps or heels--not a very high heel, but more than a total flat. Black is best; other colors are OK.
A camisole close to the color of your own skin.

Boys:
Some type of soft black shoe--jazz shoe or men's Chinese slippers.
One pair of dark tie shoes (preferably black or dark brown)--not sneakers, more formal shoes.
One white long sleeved shirt with collar.


STAGE MAKE-UP
All girls must bring:

1)  Liquid eyeliner in brown or brown-black. NO PURE BLACK!
2)  Mascara
3)  Theatrical make-up if you have your own or if you require hypo-allergenic make-up.

All boys must bring

1)  Liquid eyeliner in brown or brown-black. NO PURE BLACK!
2)  Theatrical make-up if you have your own or require hypo- allergenic make-up.

MISCELLANEOUS
--2 notebooks; assorted pens and pencils; loose leaf paper and several folders.
--A mug for tea and/or water
--A cork from a bottle of wine (used for diction work)
--A laundry bag
--An alarm clock which is NOT a clock radio.
--Any and all musical instruments, assuming they are neither too cumbersome nor priceless.
--Favorite books about theatre--scripts, acting books, make up books, etc.
--A good supply of any hard to find things like your own brand of contact lens solution, etc.
--Clothing you are willing to paint in and get dirty in.
--A flashlight
--You may wish to bring a bucket to carry shampoo, etc. back and forth to the bathroom.
--Sheet music for songs you like to sing or would like to learn to act and sing.
--A yoga mat (nice for working on hard floors).

SPENDING MONEY
Do not bring large amounts of cash.  There is very little to spend money on in Eagles Mere.  Usually there is either a crafts fair or an Antique show in July, but other than that there are few stores except for the Sweet Shop, which sells ice cream, candy, and assorted other food.  There are several small gift shops, but few students ever find themselves buying much beyond ice cream and post cards.  You are welcome to bring money and have us keep it locked up for you.  A reasonable amount for students to bring for miscellaneous spending is $100.

PREPARATION
Sonnets - Before you arrive, please memorize thoroughly one of Shakespeare's sonnets--available to you in any volume of the complete works of Shakespeare or see the link below to sonnets online. Choose one you like a lot.

• Be certain you know what every word means, and also be sure that in saying it, you are speaking for sense--not just pausing at the end of each line if there is not punctuation to indicate a pause.
• Decide what you want to communicate in speaking the sonnet--approach this as a monologue, not as a poem to recite for English class.
• It's important that you feel very comfortable with the memorization because you will be doing it almost immediately as part of your audition for the shows.
• Please don't use a sonnet you have already memorized for an English or drama class. Try a new one!
• Please know the sonnet extremely well--do not wait until you arrive to start working on it. Remember these are love poems, but although Shakespeare intended them as romantic love poems, you may find in them other kinds of love as well.
• Bring a copy of the sonnet with you. You will use it for the audition as well as for acting class. If you wish, you may also bring a Shakespearean monologue in addition to the sonnet.

Note to returning students: Please learn a new sonnet, which you feel will challenge you to explore a side of yourself you may not often choose to explore. (Think RISK)

Link to Sonnets Online

AUDITION INFORMATION
 The auditions for the main stage productions will be held the first Sunday evening of the program. You are required to prepare for auditions, which include movement and music components as well as acting components.  Familiarizing yourselves with the scripts before you arrive is not necessary.

1) Please prepare the following:

• A Shakespeare sonnet (see above).
• A rhyming children's poem that you can act out with conviction

2)  Other information about auditions will be available when you arrive.  You will also have time to prepare your auditions in small groups with a faculty member.

ETC FACULTY

Ann V. Klotz, co-founder of ETC, is a graduate of Yale University and earned her M.A. in drama from New York University. She is currently the Head of the Laurel School in Shaker Heights, Ohio.   She spent 20 years on the faculty of The Chapin School in New York City  as the  Head of the Drama Department , teaching English and  as the Director of College Guidance.  She also taught English and theatre at the Northfield-Mount Hermon School. She is Miranda, Cordelia, and Atticus' mom,  and Seth's wife . This will be her forty-sixth summer in Eagles Mere.

Seth Orbach, co-founder and Director of ETC, is enjoying his new career as a full time dad in Shaker Heights, Ohio.  He was the Director of Academic Technology at St. Bernard's School in New York City and previously spent 13 years as a member of the faculty at Trevor Day School in New York City where he was the Technology Coordinator. He earned his Master's degree in Mathematics Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. Formerly a theatre consultant and lighting designer, Seth is a graduate of Yale University and has worked with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the Spoleto Festival, and the New York Shakespeare Festival. A founder of ETC, he is Miranda, Cordelia, and Atticus' dad and Ann's husband.

Owen Collins, Artistic Director, is a proud native of Oak Park Illinois. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Theatre Production at Bradley University and a Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Design at the University of South Carolina-Columbia.  Currently Head of the Theater Department at Washington and Lee University, Owen teaches courses in all aspects of design and technical production.  Recent designs at W&L include: Little Shop of Horrors (scenery), Father Frances (scenery), The Long Christmas Ride Home (lighting & projections), How I Learned to Drive (lighting & projections), Kiss Me Kate (scenery).  Owen will be accompanied by his wife, Ann Courtney, our lighting designer, and his children McElvey, Arden, and Liam.

Trista Delamere (Mitchell) is a nearly twenty year veteran of the professional theatre, having started in her early teens, and is herself an ETC student alumna. Though originally trained in classical theatre, she made a career in television, independent films and commercials. Trista recently served three years on the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors. She has conceived and directed live performance projects in New York, Los Angeles and St. Petersburg, Russia, and has worked or traveled in more than 25 countries. In her secret other life, she is also a freelance speechwriter for prominent nonprofit organizations, and a playwright.

Lyle Hennicke spent time in sunny Orlando, Florida  "Making Magic" at  the Walt Disney World Resort.  Before Disney, Lyle worked for Laurel School in Operations Management, Information Technology, Admissions and served as the Theater Department's Technical Director.  A graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College with a BA in Theater, he has spent many years freelancing as a lighting designer, set designer and stage manager.   He is thrilled to be spending his second full summer at ETC.   He is a personal friend of Winnie the Pooh.

Nicki Nevermann originally hails from Wisconsin, where she studied applied music and music education at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point after a year of college at NYU. As well as music, she is avid in directing, dance, theatre, writing, art and is a Pilates/Yoga enthusiast. Along with an extensive musical theatre repertoire in both Wisconsin and New York, Nicki currently works as the music teacher and director of choirs and productions at the St. Lucy School in the Bronx, a parochial elementary school. She lives on Long Island.

Sheryl Silvers, a Long Island native, is excited to return to the ETC faculty this summer after interning in 2004.  She received her B.A. in Theater from Washington and Lee University where she studied performance, and voice.  She is currently participating in the development of a new musical political satire Ballots on Broadway.  Recent projects include: LI/Regional Theatre: Charlotte's Web (Wilbur), A Year With Frog and Toad (Frog), Urinetown (Pennywise), Zinc Avenue, 11AM (Caroline), The Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily Cardew).  Film: The One Percenters, The Deed to Hell.  Choir: Say Yes! Voices of Uniy (ActorCor), Come to the Waters, 2007 National Tour (Cornerstone Chorale & Brass).

We will be joined by five college interns:

Katie Nabors is originally, from Savannah, Georgia where she spent her formative years intensively studying classical ballet.  She is entering her last year at Oakland University where she studies all aspects of the theatrical arts, but specifically, Theatre Performance.  This past winter Katie made her professional acting debut as Daisy Hannigan in Biloxi Blues at Meadow Brook Theatre.  Katie has been seen most recently on the Oakland stage in Brenda Bly Teen Detective (Madeline), The Importance of Being Ernest (Gwendolen), Crumbs from The Table of Joy (Gerte Shulte) and The Rimers of Eldritch (Patsy).  Last summer Katie went to Greece and performed the role of Kleonike in Lysistrata.  Katie believes that acting should come from the heart and should be truthful, passionate, ferocious and honest. She is excited about the summer of 2008 at ETC !

We will keep updating the site as we receive the bios of our other college interns.

Throughout the summer the faculty is supplemented by visiting professionals who conduct workshops in a variety of topics.   In the past these have included movement workshops in yoga, and partner work,  a workshop in scene painting, and stage combat.  Some workshop teachers include:

Zakiyyah Alexander - Acting, B.A., Binghamton University; M.F.A., Yale School of Drama; Program Director, Positive Youth Troupe, Bronx, NY; Playwright, Actor, NYC.

Bill Gross, B.F.A., The Juilliard School; National Theatre Institute; Vassar College; Actor, Singer, New York, NY. 

Drew Kulow, B.F.A. Tisch School of the Arts, NYU, Actress, NYC.