CSUN Drama Workshop Puts the Spotlight on Young Thespians

Crystal Rose McGinnis wants to be an actress. So this summer, like the three previous, she’ll spend half of her vacation at Cal State Northridge, where she can strap on her dancing shoes, stretch her vocal chords and flex some acting muscles.

The Van Nuys High School Performing Arts Magnet student says she’s counting the days until she joins about 75 other participants in CSUN’s TeenAge Drama Workshop, the performance program for 12- to 18-year-olds interested in acting, directing and writing.

“I get so much out of the classes,” said Crystal Rose, 15, who has been a dancer since she was 4. “They’ve helped me build upon what I know, and they allow me to take my newfound knowledge back to school.”

This summer she hopes to learn more about set, costume, lighting and sound design, in addition to acting.

The six-week workshop--which costs $775--begins each morning with dance, acting and voice classes, followed by a choice of musical theater, improvisation or playwriting sessions.

Crystal Rose looks forward to the afternoons, when she and her fellow actors will rehearse for one of three play productions: “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Diary of Anne Frank” or a comedic, musical interpretation of “Orpheus,” all open to the public at the conclusion of the workshop.

The students are trained by CSUN theater instructors, secondary-school drama teachers and other professionals.

“This is a terrific opportunity for middle and high school students to work at the university level and to perform with professional theater artists,” said Doug Kaback, executive director of the program.

“The workshop gives us lifelong friends,” Crystal Rose said. “It’s wonderful what I get out of it, both socially and practically.”

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Wish List:

TeenAge Drama Workshop

(818) 677-3086

* Lighting gel: $75 each

* Costume rental: $60 each

* 1 gallon paint: $20 each

* 5-pound box of nails and two hammers: $14

* Printing 200 pages: $12

* Full or partial scholarship: $200 to $775