SRO Teen Ensemble

SRO Teen Ensemble

In its 13th year, SRO Teen Ensemble, our extraordinary high school-age outdoor experience, continued to take on new challenges with its 2024 production. During the two-week program, students delve into character development, explore safe stage combat and sword fighting techniques, prepare costume designs, and learn all aspects of presenting a Shakespearean production.

Shakespeare Royal Oak Teen Ensemble 2024 staged Hamlet!

The pre-audition Hamlet workshop and auditions took place at Royal Oak’s St. John Episcopal church, located at 11 Mike & Woodward.
All students who register were encouraged to attend and participate in the pre-audition workshop. 

All students who register received a link to a SignUpGenius to register for an audition time slot. 

All students registered for the program will be in the production. Students may also attend as technical students (non-actor) and will be given theatrical technical training in stage management, sound design, dramaturgy, and choreography. Students wishing to do both will be given the opportunity to do so.
SRO Teen Ensemble 2024 will ran two weeks in Starr Jaycee Park, beginning July 15. Sessions were held on July 15 – 19 running from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and on July 22 – 26 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The experience concluded with three performances on the Shakespeare Royal Oak Stage  July 28 at 7:00 p.m., July 29 at 7:00 p.m., and July 30  at 7:00 p.m. 
2025 SRO Teen Ensemble information will be available in March of 2025
TBD

Frequently Asked Questions

General Program Questions:

There IS a sheltered area at Starr Jaycee Park, so don’t worry. If the rain fails to pass over, we may contact parents by phone to pick their students up early. If we don’t already have your contact numbers, make sure you give them to us the first day of the program. Make sure you have an emergency contact listed so that we can reach someone at all times.

At this time in consideration of the health and safety of students, staff, and interns, if heavy rain is forecast before class begins, a Zoom session will be scheduled for the day. If rain is likely, a teacher or member of the Water Works staff will contact you either the night before or the morning of classes to notify you.

Call us at 248-399-3727 or email education@shakespeareroyaloak.com.

Starr Jaycee Park is located on 13 Mile Road between Main and Crooks. Student drop-off and pick-up will occur in the central parking area by the main sign.

SRO Teen Ensemble Questions:

The productions are presented free of charge, though we welcome donations to support the production and Shakespeare Royal Oak’s programs.

In the first week, we’ll spend some time getting to know each other and the script. We’ll likely begin staging on the second day of rehearsal. The rest of the first week will be focused on blocking, character work, and dance and fight choreography. In the second week, our days will be structured so that we neither burn out nor get bored – we’ll do advanced scene work as we put our show together, taking it scene by scene and building it into a full production. There will be plenty of time to review both movement and lines. By Friday (if not sooner), we’ll be able to run our show all the way through at least twice with all technical elements so that students are prepared for their performances. In an ensemble approach, even students who are not in a particular scene will have ample input into its staging, and there are virtually limitless possibilities in terms of casting and stage time for everyone.

Students interested in directing, stage managing, and design (costumes, props, sound) will have opportunities not only to shadow professionals as they work but will be asked to take initiative in their area of interest to actively contribute to the process and production.

Healthy snacks and water are provided daily in the second week; however, Water Works Teen Ensemble will not provide lunch. Be advised that this summer’s program will be nut free. It is suggested that each student bring a lunch packed with a beverage, insect repellent, and sun block. Loose, comfortable clothing appropriate to the weather, including a hat, is also recommended. For the comfort and safety of your student, we ask that NO Crocs, clogs or flip-flops be worn; sturdy shoes that buckle or tie are required.

Students are asked to memorize one Shakespearean monologue (1-2 minutes long) for their auditions. There will also be a free audition workshop that students are welcome to attend. No headshots or resumes are required!

Please note: Students who are interested in design and wish to attend auditions as part of their process need not perform a monologue. Please contact us for more information!

The ensemble will determine what costumes are necessary for our telling of this story, and parents/guardians should rest assured that they will not need to buy anything that cannot be pulled from closets!

Do you still have questions? Feel free to call us at 248-399-3727 or email education@shakespeareroyaloak.com. See you in the park!

Director of Education

Xue Findlay

Xue Findlay (she/her) is a graduate of Wayne State University holding degrees in both theatre and graphic design. In school, she was part of many projects, both onstage and off. She currently resides in Detroit, MI and freelances creative work. A Royal Oak native, she is proud to come back and be a part of the Shakespeare Royal Oak team, and help foster a love of theatre in our KidsAct! and Teen Ensemble crews. Xueyun has worked with local theatres such as Stagecrafters and Planet Ant, and plans to continue working in the local theatre scene growing in Detroit.

Summer 2024 Instructors are CC Findlay, Paige Clark, Lucy Reinke, and Camden Maccognone.

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