Senior Theatre Camp
Founder and Director: Ashkan Kheilnejad
Location: Based in Tehran (Online and In-Person), since 2016
Mission Statement
The Senior Theatre Camp addresses the lack of theatre courses in many high schools within the educational system across Iran, providing passionate students with practical skills and preparing them for theatre entrance exams. We aim to foster creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, empowering the next generation of art students to excel in the performing arts.
Program Overview
Each year, senior students join the Senior Theatre Camp, a two-phase journey designed to deepen their theatre skills and prepare them for university and their future in the arts. In Phase 1 (Online), students build foundational knowledge in the history of theatre and performance basics. This groundwork seamlessly transitions into Phase 2 (In-Person), where students live and work together, transforming their skills into collaborative performances. This integrated approach fosters both personal and artistic growth, equipping participants for lasting success in the performing arts.
Collaborations
These institutions attract talented students from across Iran in various artistic disciplines and implement their theatre programs based on the curriculum I designed:
- Honarioon Group – Since June 2022
- Midia Art Institute – Since June 2018
- Amraei Academy – Since June 2016
First Phase: Online Camp
In this 6-month phase, students participate in classes outside school hours to enrich their understanding of theatre. The focus is on initial encounters with drama, the director’s role, and the performer’s body.
- Theatre History Exploration: Students study renowned plays to gain insights into theatre history and its transformations, analyzing stylistic features under mentor guidance.
- Personal Monologue Development: Participants write personal experiences as theatrical monologues.
- Contemporary Theatre Engagement: Students watch contemporary performances and engage in discussions with critics to deepen their understanding of mise-en-scène.
- Practical Exercises: The final component emphasizes body movement, spatial awareness, and rhythm.
At the end of Phase 1, students present initial performance ideas based on their developed monologues, which will be refined in Phase 2.
Second Phase: In-Person Camp
During the month-long camp, students live together, focusing on cooperation and community-building. They manage chores and collaborate in dorms and rehearsal spaces, fostering teamwork in a non-hierarchical environment, guided by the motto, “I am responsible for others.”
- Exploratory Group Walks: Led by camp leaders, students explore the city, gaining new perspectives and understanding relationships.
- Practical Skill Development: In designated spaces, students practice voice, solfeggio, body movement, and improvisation while integrating theoretical concepts related to time and place in theatre.
- Performance Opportunities: At the end of the camp, students present their interpretations of renowned plays or personal monologues, guided by their mentors.
Our Team
- Mentors: Tahere Hazave, Atena Naderzadeh, Sara Abasi, Mahdi Hesam Alzakerin
- Theatre Studies Instructor: Keyhan Parchami
- Body Movement Teacher: Shekiba Bahramian
- Assistants: Ayeh Dadashi, Mobina Daeichi
Duration
- Total Hours: 120 hours (Online & In-Person)
- Online Classes: 20 sessions, each 3 hours
- In-Person Classes: 15 sessions, each 4 hours
Achievements
Each year, about 150 students participate in the Senior Theatre Camp, many achieving top scores in entrance exams and gaining admission to prestigious theatre programs. They form collaborative groups, working together and sharing their first performance experiences. In recent years, over 80% of participants have successfully enrolled in top-tier theatre schools, showcasing the effectiveness of our program.
Upcoming Events
Workshops commence in September each year, providing students with an opportunity to engage in a creative and collaborative journey with in the performing arts.