High School Students Explore Acting, Dancing and Singing at Point Park University's Inaugural Musical Theatre Summer Intensive Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Twenty-eight high school students from Florida, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin explored all aspects of acting, dancing and singing at Point Park University's inaugural Musical Theatre Summer Intensive, July 6-18. The intensive was created to prepare aspiring performers with rigorous training in musical theatre arts and skills.
"The Musical Theatre Summer Intensive is a true pre-college program," said Michael Campayno, artist in residence and director of Point Park's musical theatre program. "Not only are students living on campus learning what that experience is like, but they are also taking 9-5 conservatory-style classes that are meant to challenge them in a meaningful way."
"This wonderful summer program is where high school students, especially rising juniors and seniors, can come to find their heart, their skill, and train with some of the best faculty in the world," said Gary Kline, associate dean and artistic director of the School of Theatre, Film and Animation. "We're not casting for a certain musical. Rather, we're casting who these students are, what's in their heart and soul and how does the material they sing reflect who they are as human beings and as a person. I hope students take away from this experience better monologues, better song training and a sense of fun and joy in the work."
The two-week intensive, held in the Pittsburgh Playhouse, was taught by faculty who brought their real-life professional work experiences into the sessions they led, including:
- Acting with Michael Campayno, Broadway veteran; Ingrid Sonnichsen, professor emeritus, Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama; and Stage/Film Actress Zanny Laird.
- Dance with Lucas Fedele '11, assistant teaching professor, Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama.
- Meditation/Mindfulness with Lisa Klein of Lisa Klein Mindfulness.
- Musical Theatre Singing with Gary Kline, an internationally known vocal teacher; and Justin Fortunato '11, producing artistic director of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.
During the sessions, live accompanists played piano and drums to help create a more dynamic learning environment for the students.
"This experience has been the most important summer intensive I've gone to by far and has made me a better actor and performer," said Kass Wilson from Montclair High School in Montclair, New Jersey. "I would recommend this intensive to someone who is pursuing performance in general because it's special — it's informative, welcoming and fun."
In Their Own Words: What Participants Say About Musical Theatre Summer Intensive
Broadway's Shonica Gooden '11 Leads Master Classes with Students
Alumna Shonica Gooden '11, who is currently performing in Hamilton on Broadway, returned to campus to teach two days of master classes to the students. Some of Gooden's Broadway credits include CATS, Cinderella and Bring it On: The Musical.
"My key message to the students of this intensive is to have an open mind and an open heart," Gooden said. "You never know what you're going to get out of an experience and you never know where life will take you."
Rosalia Pavlik from Pittsburgh CAPA in Pittsburgh, Pa., said Gooden's energy elevated the room during her master classes.
"The best piece of advice Shonica gave us was not to let anyone ever tell you that you are too much," Pavlik said. "If someone is telling you that, they are just not enough."
Get to Know Shonica Gooden
On the last day of the intensive, students performed a song and a monologue for their parents, followed by lunch on the Veranda of the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
"We hope this intensive helped to validate these young artists' dreams and will create a path to help them get where they want to go in their careers," said Campayno.
2026 Musical Theatre Summer Intensive
Point Park University is thrilled to once again host the Musical Theatre Summer Intensive in 2026. Stay tuned for additional details and announcements.