Athens Academy Press Releases

This summer, students from Athens Academy are taking advantage of opportunities all over the country in the dramatic arts. From acting and voice lessons to film-making and dance camps, these students are finding ways to explore their interests and perfect their skills. Drama Department Director Lorraine Thompson encourages her students to seek out new ways to grow in their creative expression: “Summer enrichment is important no matter what your interest area. In the arts, you’re introduced to new people and different ways of thinking, which is vital to growing as an artist.” Throughout the year, Ms. Thompson helps students find and apply to camps, workshops, and schools, and then coaches them through the audition/application process. “I’m very proud of my students and their desire to push themselves in the areas film and the theatre arts. Not only does the individual student benefit from summer study, but the school benefits as well. Students bring home what they learn and share it with the others and with me. It’s a win/win situation.”

After auditioning, rising senior Cate Jackson was accepted into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts’ Summer Acting Intensive in New York City from June 29 through August 7. Founded in 1884, the Academy is considered the foremost acting school in the country. Cate's coursework will include Acting, Voice and Speech, Vocal Production, and Movement.

Rising junior Ned McGregor was accepted into the highly competitive Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Michigan. Each summer more than 2,500 of the world's most talented and motivated young people go to Interlochen to live, learn, and perform. Ned will be participating in the Motion Picture Arts program. This program provides students with a progressive and interdisciplinary experience in film-making.

Rising senior Mary Katherine Malone will be attending a US Performing Arts Camp on the campus of UCLA. US Performing Arts acting programs hone the actor’s craft through improvisation, movement, voice and speech, physical humor, and character interpretation.

Chase Brantley, a rising junior, will be attending a six-week ballet camp sponsored by the Atlanta Ballet. Chase has studied and danced with the Atlanta Ballet on many occasions in the past.

Rising junior Sofia Wasserman-Smith was awarded a scholarship for attendance to Appel Farm Summer Arts Camp. Founded in 1960, the camp combines a dynamic program of arts classes with an active schedule of outdoor activities and community projects on a beautiful 176-acre setting in rural southern New Jersey. Sofie will be focusing on the theatre arts while there.

Anne Lanier Gilbert, also a rising junior, will be attending a US Performing Arts Camp on the campus of Florida State University. Anne Lanier will be focusing on Acting for the Camera. This camp was designed specifically for the on-camera experience in television and film. Anne Lanier was also awarded a $600 scholarship to attend Georgia Shakespeare’s Summer Acting Session. This scholarship was awarded based on her performance in the Georgia Shakespeare High School Acting Competition last February.

Rising senior Christine Shaw was accepted into the competitive Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for summer study in Valdosta. She will be majoring in Social Studies and minoring in Theatre.