Description: Location
The 300-acre New Hampton School campus is nestled in the midst of the Lakes Region and the White Mountains. The 180-year-old private campus comprises traditional ivy-covered academic buildings, a fishing pond, and a new Arts and Athletics Center. McEvoy Theater contains state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, and the music facility features a professional recording studio. Other facilities include a dance studio, fitness center, and the radio station WNHS. The New Hampton campus is off I-93 at exit 23, 30 miles north of Concord, New Hampshire, and 100 miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. Background and Philosophy
Morgan Murphy, founder and Artistic Director of Performance PLUS, served as the Arts Director at New Hampton School from 1992-2001. Performance PLUS is the culmination of eleven years of his exploration into the celebration of the arts as a path for adolescent development. Mr. Murphy and his professional staff utilize the performing arts as a guide for positive artistic growth with respect, responsibility, and relationships as their founding principles. Performance PLUS offers hands-on professional training in the performing arts and related fields of interest for the ambitious, experienced artist as well as the novice artistic explorer. Through knowing the participants and creating art together, the Performance PLUS staff assists participants in making connections that allow artistic success to filter into all aspects of life. Program
Performance PLUS offers five disciplines on which to focus. Participants must choose one area of focus. Theater Arts and Contemporary Performance Students focused on theater arts are challenged to explore and discover their potential as theater artists and to perform in various styles of theater and related disciplines while studying the masters. Through the use of in-class activities, various texts, guest artists, and selected adventures/exercises, students enhance their performance and presentation skills, gain appreciation for the craft of theater and the necessary disciplines, and discover what they can bring to any role and to their futures--themselves. Different aspects of theater arts include contemporary drama and comedy, improvisation, screen acting, musical theater, performance art, scene study, physical character, classical theater, writing, mask, and stage combat.
Music Production and Recording Participants in the music program perform in their own band while exploring the sound recording and engineering processes and cutting a CD in a state-of-the-art recording studio. Students may realize their potential studying voice or any instrument. Participants explore digital multitrack recording, song writing, and sound engineering.
Dance The dance program allows students to condition their bodies, skills, and minds for a lifetime. Program offerings include technique, choreography, alignment, character movement, and modern, jazz, classical, and hip-hop dance.
Film The film program allows students to bring their imagination to all production aspects of an original film. Students work with an established independent film writer, producer, and director. Different aspects of film include producing, directing, writing, camera manipulation, lighting, sound, location and studio shoots, and digital editing.
Technical Production Through the use of imagination, technology, the body, and creative spirit, participants challenge themselves in all areas of technical design and production. These different areas of focus include scenic design, lighting design, sound design, technical direction, stage management, computer-aided design, film and TV production, scenic artistry, costume design, and scenic construction. Extra Opportunities and Activities
Students produce their own original Performance PLUS SHOWCASE, CD presentation, dance concert, or film presentation, highlighting the accomplishments of each participant, at the end of the three-week session. This event takes place on the final day of the camp. Also included are several outings, including professional productions and Sunday recreational activity trips. Numerous workshops are held by staff members and visiting professional artists.Extra Opportunities and Activities
Students produce their own original Performance PLUS SHOWCASE, CD presentation, dance concert, or film presentation, highlighting the accomplishments of each participant, at the end of the three-week session. This event takes place on the final day of the camp. Also included are several outings, including professional productions and Sunday recreational activity trips. Numerous workshops are held by staff members and visiting professional artists. Facilities
Performance PLUS members stay in dormitories on the New Hampton School campus and have access to state-of-the-art athletic and arts facilities, the Academic Research Center, computer labs, and of course, the White Mountains. Staff
The Performance PLUS staff is made up of a coed team of full-time and part-time teachers and several college apprentices who serve as their assistants. This diverse group of performing artists lives, eats, and works with participants on a daily basis. All staff members are current professionals in the industry or have professional backgrounds. Full-time staff members serve as dorm parents and weekend activity leaders. The participant-staff ratio is 6:1. Medical Care
New Hampton offers an on-campus health center and doctor's office. Lakes Region General Hospital is only 20 minutes away. Medical insurance is required for participation. Costs
Tuition for Performance PLUS is $3300 for boarding students. There is an additional $300 equipment fee for film participants. Included in this cost are three meals a day, field trips, guest artists, professional production outings, and planned activities. Participants must bring extra money for personal items or souvenirs. A recommended amount of spending money ranges from $50 to $150, which must be deposited in an allowance account and distributed through the bookstore on the New Hampton School campus. Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Financial aid awards are based on financial need and a sense of commitment to the program. Transportation
The airport in Manchester, New Hampshire, is located less than 1 hour from New Hampton, and Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, is located less than 2 hours away. Rental cars and taxis are available at both locations. Special arrangements may be made. Performance PLUS offers transportation to and from Manchester Airport for an additional charge. Application Timetable
There is open enrollment for Performance PLUS until all spaces fill. A registration form, personal statement, and nonrefundable $300 deposit are required for admission. A complete welcome packet is mailed upon receipt of the registration form, which assists participants in preparation for the program. |
