Festival Young company
What is the Richmond Shakespeare Festival Young Company?
The Festival Young Company is a summer training program for students who have an interest in theatre, history, Shakespeare, and making friends with other like-minded young enthusiasts! Students will take classes with local theatre practitioners, and have the opportunity to perform monologues, songs, and scenes at Sabot School as a preshow for our summer festival performances of As You Like It.
This summer’s FYC classes take place from Monday, June 15th through Wednesday, June 24th with Juneteenth and Sunday the 21st off. Students will receive instruction in classical theatre performance techniques, theatre history, stage combat, music, and Shakespearean scene study.
Who is FYC for?
FYC is intended for students aged 13-19, typically local highschoolers.
Students do not need to have any previous experience or education in classical theatre to enjoy FYC!
What are the important FYC dates?
Friday, April 17th – FYC registration opens
Saturday, May 16th – As You Like It rehearsals begin
Monday, June 15th through Wednesday, June 24th – FYC classes
Thursday, June 25th – As You Like It and FYC Festival Green Show performances begin
Sunday, July 12th – As You Like It and FYC Festival Green Show close
When and what do FYC students perform?
All FYC students are invited to perform the monologues, scenes, combat sequences, and songs they’ll learn in class as the Festival Green Show prior to performances of As You Like It, which runs Thursday-Sunday from June 25th through July 12th. Attendance at every performance is not mandatory, but is encouraged!
Students will also have the opportunity to audition for Acting Apprentice tracks in As You Like It.
This year, auditions for the Acting Apprentice roles will be held via self-tape submission. More information about the audition process will be shared after a student registers. If a student has already auditioned for the summer festival shows, they do not need to send a self-tape.
If cast in As You Like It, students will begin rehearsals in mid-May. A full rehearsal calendar will be available soon.
How much does FYC cost?
The FYC class fee is $350. Scholarships are available!
How do I register my student for FYC?
You can find the FYC registration form and our online payment portal here:
Who do I contact with questions?
Please email FYC Program Director Irene Kuykendall at irene@richmondshakespeare.org with any questions!
MEET OUR FESTIVAL DIRECTOR!
Irene Kuykendall (FYC Program Director) is an educator, actor, and director with a Master’s in Text & Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and conservatory training from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. Education experience includes serving as Virginia Repertory Theatre's Education Manager and as a Wolf Trap, a Disney Musicals in Schools, and a Richmond Performing Arts Alliance Teaching Artist. She instructed Theatre Production and Theatre Performance at Midlothian High School and Drama at Elizabeth Davis Middle School. Collegiate instruction includes work for the University of Mary Washington, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Brightpoint Community College. Irene’s history with Richmond Shakespeare includes co-directing FYC, teaching stage combat, working as an actor in multiple productions, and directing the upcoming production of The Importance of Being Earnest. You can find out more about her work at www.irenejkuykendall.com
