Summer Shakes
Professional Shakespearean Actor Training
for High School and Juilliard Drama School Students
at 4th Wall Theatre Company
High School Auditions for Summer Shakes 2024
4th Wall Theatre Company is searching for 10 Houston-area high school aged theatre students to join our Summer Shakes 2024 program. Selected students will train and perform with current Juilliard Drama School students and professional theatre artists. The six-week, tuition-free program will culminate in a public showcase production of a full length Shakespeare play - this year, ROMEO AND JULIET. A minimalist production aesthetic showcases the talent of the participants and the enduring beauty of Shakespeare’s words.
Dates at a Glance:
In Person Auditions: January 28, 2024 by appointment
Video Audition Submission Period: January 29 - February 5, 2024 at 11:59pm
Admission Decisions: will be announced the week of March 11, 2024
Training/Rehearsal: Weekdays July 1 - August 2, 2024
Tech Week: August 3 - 7, 2024
Showcase Performances of Romeo and Juliet: August 8 - 11, 2024
How to Audition
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All interested students must complete this interest form.
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Auditioners should prepare a memorized performance of one of the Shakespearean pieces linked below.
Female-Identifying Monologues
Option 1: CORDELIA (King Lear 1.1)
Option 2: TITANIA (A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2.1.)
Option 3: BEATRICE (Much Ado About Nothing 3.1.)
Option 4: EMILIA (Othello 4.3)
Option 5: HERMIONE (Winters Tale 3.2)
Option 6: PORTIA (Merchant of Venice 3.2)
Male-Identifying Monologues
Option 1: CALIBAN (The Tempest 3.2)
Option 2: LAERTES (Hamlet 4.5)
Option 3: CASSIUS (Julius Caesar 1.3)
Option 4: HAMLET (Hamlet 1.2)
Option 5: ANGELO (Measure for Measure 2.4)
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The in-person audition date has passed. Any interested students must submit a video audition to summershakes@4thwalltheatreco.com by Monday 2/5 at 11:59pm. Video auditions should feature the student performing a Shakespeare monologue from one of the linked pieces above.
Collegiate Student Auditions for Summer Shakes 2024
4th Wall Theatre Company is searching for 2 collegiate theatre students to join our Summer Shakes 2024 program. Collegiate artists will be cast in principal roles in the professional showcase production of ROMEO AND JULIET alongside current high school aged actors. These artists will also teach workshops in various performance techniques of their choosing.
Collegiate students are paid a professional Equity rate, and are provided with housing and transportation.
Interested participants must complete this interest form and should schedule a virtual audition and interview with the director, Alric Davis, in which they prepare two contrasting monologues - one Shakespearean, and one of your choice.
Dates at a Glance:
Virtual Auditions: By appointment. Complete the interest form and then email Alric Davis at summershakes@4thwalltheatreco.com
Training/Rehearsal: Weekdays July 8 - August 2, 2024 (collegiate students begin 1 week after the high school students)
Tech Week: August 3 - 7, 2024
Showcase Performances of Romeo and Juliet: August 8 - 11, 2024
What is Summer Shakes?
Summer Shakes Showcases
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ROMEO AND JULIET
August 8-11, 2024
“These violent delights have violent ends.“
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JULIUS CAESAR
July 20-23, 2023
“Mischief, thou art afoot.”
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TWELFTH NIGHT
July 21-24, 2022
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
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AS YOU LIKE IT
July 22-25, 2021
“All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players”
On Air
Joshua Zinn of Houston Public Media interviews Summer Shakes 2022 participants.
Interview Starts at 38:50 Mark: Juilliard students Ana Karneža and Kassandra Cruz, Co-Directors Philip Lehl and Alric Davis, high school students Ana Arellano and Jayden Taylor
Summer Shakes Blog
Meet the Juilliard Drama School Students
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"This program is effectively building the future of our craft. I was blown away by the skill and technique these students showcased at such a young age. When natural talent is combined with their work ethic, they have the resources to be beyond the level of myself and my peers, but ten years sooner. I always wondered how someone as young as 17 or 18 could be as good as some of my young classmates at Juilliard. Now I see, it is programs like this that make that possible."
Omete Anassi
Summer Shakes Group #3
Juilliard Group #54 (Class of 2025) -
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"English is my second language and I found comfort in Shakespeare's language - I enjoy digging into it, discovering what words mean, and playing with the language. My love and appreciation for Shakespeare has only deepened through Summer Shakes - seeing young students discovering their own powers through the text reaffirmed my belief in it."
Ana Karneža
Summer Shakes Group #2
Juilliard Group #53 (Class of 2024) -
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"It was wonderful to work with young high school actors, and Shakespeare is a beautiful way to connect with language that is visceral and poetic."
Kassandra Cruz
Summer Shakes Group #2
Juilliard Group #54 (Class of 2025) -
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"It’s so fulfilling to witness the development and growth of young people. 4th Wall encourages growth in their confidence, compassion communication, awareness, and artistry. As a teacher, it was extremely rewarding and magical to see these young people commit to working at a grad school level and also have the joy in the work. This program is food to the artist and play for the heart."
Iyinoluwa Akintoye
Summer Shakes Group #3
Juilliard BFA Class of 2025 -
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"Shakespeare is one of the truest performative traditions the United States has. It is to us what Kathakali is to India, or Japanese Noh is to Japan (albeit much much much younger of a practice but hey, it's much younger of a country). I feel this more than ever after having worked with and taught the Young Company members. Shakespeare will outlive us all. "
Arianna Gayle Stucki
Summer Shakes Group #1
Juilliard Group #51 (Class of 2022) -
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"I was reminded of what it is like to work with actors that don't have the same teachers in their heads. The challenge and joy is how to remain open to those different perspectives even, and maybe especially, when they don't seem to be how I would approach a moment or story."
Aaron Gonner
Summer Shakes Group #1
Juilliard Group #51 (Class of 2022)
Meet the High School Students
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"I've been very interested in reading and seeing Shakespeare since early childhood, but this program was my first serious opportunity to explore the acting side of it."
Lydia Gafford
Summer Shakes Groups #1 and #2
St. John’s School Class of 2023 -
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"[Summer Shakes Co-Directors] Alric and Phil have helped support me in every way possible, especially in confidence. It was wonderful and I would 100% do it again."
Camron Lettries
Summer Shakes Groups #1 and #2
G.W. Carver High School Class of 2024 -
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"Everyone was very supportive and non-judgmental which created a safe and open space to make mistakes and creative choices. I learned how to better interpret Shakespearean text, how to use Elizabethan verse, and I was also introduced to mask work and how it can help with movement and voice."
Jasmine Lin
Summer Shakes Groups #1 and #2
High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Class of 2024 -
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"I believe Shakespeare has a more important role in my life since I started participating in Summer Shakes. The program has helped me realize that although these shows were written a very long time ago, they still have relevance today."
Takera Swain
Summer Shakes Groups #1 and #2
G.W. Carver High School Class of 2024 -
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"I don't think I would be where I am today on my theatre journey without Summer Shakes. It is an invaluable experience to be educated in a professional setting. In the fall I will continue to pursue acting at the University of Evansville on a full ride scholarship which was due to my skills and education including programs like Summer Shakes."
Andrea Vargas
Summer Shakes Groups #1 and #2
William P. Clements High School Class of 2022 -
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"Having Juilliard student performers in the cast has made my experience all the more engaging. It's been nice to see how they approach this kind of work and all they've learned from Juilliard because I'm currently looking at colleges to study theatre, too."
Ana Arellano
Summer Shakes Group #2
Seven Lakes High School Class of 2023 -
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"Summer Shakes has been a very creative and nice experience. I've never had more say in the direction of a play."
Bob Beathard
Summer Shakes Group #2
Seven Lakes High School Class of 2023 -
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"A professional career in theatre did not seem achievable to me before participating in Summer Shakes. But now I plan to attend a four year college where I will double majors in theater and business administration."
Kadiatou Beye
Summer Shakes Group #2
Westside High School Class of 2023 -
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"Summer shakes allowed me to not only get a better understanding of Shakespeare, but helped me appreciate it more, too. Because of its relaxed atmosphere, we were able to full indulge in the comedy of Shakespeare."
Jill Chauvin
Summer Shakes Group #2
Westbury Christian Class of 2022
Houston Community College Class of 2026 -
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"This program gave me assurance in the next steps to my future. I feel like I truly grew not just as an actor but as a person. I felt respected and cared for, but also like I was being challenged in a high pace environment."
Kylie Hill
Summer Shakes Group #2
Seven Lakes High School Class of 2023 -
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"It was so exciting to work in a professional theatre environment. Everyone was so focused and hard working."
Alexandra King
Summer Shakes Group #2
The Kinkaid School Class of 2024 -
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"I would definitely recommend Summer Shakes to a friend. I learned so much and got to work with professional actors."
Isabelle King
Summer Shakes Group #2
The Kinkaid School Class of 2024 -
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"The Juilliard students treat me as if I'm on their same level which has been very validating as an actor. We can be working in a scene together and the ideas I might have are treated as equal to the ideas they're coming up with. Or they'll take what I come up with and help me take it to the next level."
Jayden Taylor
Summer Shakes Group #2
The Kinkaid School Class of 2023 -
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"Something I learned through the Suzuki workshop is that artists are warriors; we have to be brave and fight battles that our audience can't fight and tell the stories of people that can't tell theirs. I was really shown through this program that I am strong enough for any battles I may face, and that I need to always be aware of my 'why' as an artist."
Melania Vasquez
Summer Shakes Group #2
Seven Lakes High School Class of 2024 -
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"This has been a wonderful experience that I will continue to take into my professional career. I have learned a lot not only about Shakespeare but also about professional theatre."
Paige Yepsen
Summer Shakes Group #2
William P. Clements High School Class of 2022
University of Nevada Las Vegas Class of 2026
Pay it Forward
