Ambitious teens dive into La Jolla Playhouse’s summer acting program LA JOLLA — Perfecting the art of eye gouging may not rank high on the list of summer fun for the average La Jolla teen. But for Madeline Harvey, a 16-year-old La Jolla High School (LJHS) student, it’s “heaven on earth.” Harvey is one of 19 teenagers who competed rigorously to participate in the La Jolla Playhouse Summer Conservatory, a six-week intensive program designed to condition aspiring young performers for the challenges of a career in professional theatrer. This year’s program began July 5 and will conclude Aug. 13. Participants spend 35 hours per week honing skills like stage combat and fighting, body movement and awareness, breathing control and speech exercises to improve diction and projection. Additional programs challenge the students to devise their own ensembles and experiment with writing, directing and producing their own works. Conservatory director James Pillar has worked in professional theater for 18 years. He described the program as an “anti-summer camp” geared toward professionally-driven actors in grades 10 through 12. “We try to give them as rich of an experience as we can,” Pillar said. “It’s certainly rigorous and we set a high bar. We expect a certain level of commitment and dedication.” Guest professionals also visit the troupe each week to share insight on other aspects of the theater experience. Artistic director Christopher Ashley and director of play development Shirley Fishman hosted workshops, and the group was allowed to observe the technical rehearsal and an acrobatics team for the Playhouse’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which runs through Aug. 22. In addition, they attend performances of local productions like The Old Globe’s “King Lear” and the Playhouse’s “Surf Report.” “It really broadens your scope of what theater is,” said Susan Durnford, 17. Durnford hails from Pennsylvania and turned down offers from other summer programs at Northwestern University and Yale University to attend the Playhouse’s conservatory. “The Playhouse is a landmark in American theater,” she said. “It’s constantly coming up with new ideas and new ways to look at current issues. It was just too good to pass up.” Jennifer Graessle, 17, a student Canyon Crest Academy, began working in technical theater, then realized she wanted to emerge from behind the scenes when she landed a 15-minute monologue part in “Durang/Durang.” “That was the breaking point,” she said. “This experience is about figuring out if this is something I want to do for the rest of my life.” Though many of the students expressed interest in other pursuits like writing and directing, none could deny the allure of performing live on stage. “There’s something different about being on stage,” Harvey said. “You get to hear the audience’s reaction and make them feel something right then and there.” Being surrounded by other serious performers enriches the program, the students said, by uniting them with a common goal. “I’ve never been in a talent pool this fantastic,” said Johnny Martin, 17, a student at Santa Fe Christian School. “It really calls you to get up and do stuff and just get better.” “We don’t really get this experience in our high schools,” Durnford said. “There are always people who blow it off or think it’s an easy A. When you’re with people who are really committed to the craft, you can explore so much more. It’s safer and it pushes you at the same time.” Another perk of working with serious performers, Harvey said, is the freedom to dispense with seriousness when the occasion calls. “There’s no nervousness about looking like a fool or a freak because you look around and everyone looks more foolish than you,” she said. “Then you think, ‘what am I doing wrong? I need to be more uninhibited.’” The group stresses the importance of what they call “mature immaturity,” being open to new experiences but also mastering professionalism and working together with a cast. “You learn how to be available and ready and listen to the people around you, to offer yourself up as a true part of what the product will be,” Durnford said. “It’s about learning how to conduct yourself and be ready for anything, to accept direction and then just go for it.” “It’s really amazing that no one fights and everyone is able to come together with all these different ideas,” Harvey said. “Theater people are some of the most open and welcoming people I know. They take you for what you are.” For prospective applicants, the students couldn’t be more enthusiastic. “This is a life-altering experience,” Harvey said. “You learn so much about yourself and others and acting in general. If you’re thinking about it, stop thinking and do it.” Theater students without extensive credentials or experience — as long as they’re not short on enthusiasm — are welcome to apply. “You have to want to try new things and have an inquiring mind and really test out different waters,” Pillar said. Online applications for the conservatory are usually posted in the spring, then a workshop and auditions consisting of a one- to two-minute monologue are held shortly thereafter. Two letters of recommendation and a personal statement are also required. Tuition for the program is $1,800. To learn more, visit www.lajollaplayhouse.com or call Nicole Keepers, education and outreach coordinator, (858) 550-1070, ext. 101.