Kent, OH – Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s summer professional theatre, recently held its inaugural Porthouse International Academy. Sixteen students and one faculty member from South Korea’s SangMyung University participated in the comprehensive theatre experience.
During the three-week long academy, running July 12 - Aug. 3, students attended theatre and dance classes with Kent State faculty and observed rehearsals for Porthouse’s production of Hairspray. Additionally, the students participated in master classes with theatre professionals, took an English as a Second Language course, and experienced student life on Kent State’s Kent campus. The International Academy’s participants will receive college credit from SangMyung University for the classes they took at Kent State.
“The International Academy allows Porthouse to expand its cultural resources and offer students from other countries experiences in working with artists and educators in a professional theatre environment,” explains Porthouse’s executive producer and Eric van Baars. “As international collaboration has become integral to higher education, Porthouse understands the benefits of sharing the work with students from other countries and fostering collaboration.”
International Academy coordinator and associate professor Jakyung Seo described the academy as “a bridge” between the South Korean and American students all studying at Porthouse this summer. “Not only it is a great opportunity for international students but also a wonderful experience for domestic students participating in the program with them.”
The International Academy is Porthouse Theatre’s third educational outreach program. Dedicated to theatre education, Porthouse’s college academy, offering in-depth musical theatre training, was founded in 2008 and a comprehensive theatre arts academy for high school students was created in 2012.
For more information on Porthouse Theatre’s academies, please visit porthousetheatre.com.
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