Student Life

A typical day at APT might include working on the timing and physical control of a handstand, collaborating on translating a movement of a Shostakovitch Symphony into movement, tackling the performance problem of representing violence onstage, and preparing for a public showing of a clown piece about the end of the world.  By design, APT rejects the traditional separation of artistic disciplines within theatre, asking a student to wear many hats at once. At times, students scour the flea markets and inexpensive clothing shops for costume items and objects; at times, students use their time off to work out the precise choreography for a group creation.  Students are trained to work as well-rounded theatre artists with skills in performing, directing, design, writing and theatre management

Though APT classes will take up only 4 to 7 hours a day, the School is intended to be an immersive experience that is as much about the physical and ensemble training taught by the faculty as it is about transforming the way in which the students see the world.  The rigor of the classroom work naturally extends beyond the walls of the school and into the friendships and deep artistic relationships that are at the core of collaborative work.  We intend that the ideas about performance taught at APT will permeate students’ daily lives, creeping into shared dinners with colleagues, sessions of collaborative work outside of class, and group outings to nearby state parks, movies, drag cabarets, and musical performances.

That being said, some students also elect to seek part-time work to supplement their tuition and living expenses.  Classroom hours rarely extend into nights and weekends, making this is a distinct possibility for students, particularly if they are organized and forward-thinking.  We provide students with a classroom schedule that is predictable and consistent enough to allow for a sustainable lifestyle while they are enrolled.

Students at APT have a very different artistic experience from students in a typical university program.  There are no papers to write, and there is a reduced emphasis on theoretical discussion.  Rather, the school turns philosophical questions into physical and dramatic answers; the goal is not merely to generate great ideas, but to translate great ideas into riveting performance.  Additionally is single class incorporating all 15-20 students each semester, inspiring the kind of deep intimate artistic relationships that yield world-class theatre. 

Nurturing these collaborations is the primary focus of APT’s curriculum and activities, which in turn provides the seeds for life-long artistic partnerships and brilliant, innovative performances.