By Sean Lyons, Third-Year Student, National Theatre Conservatory

Sean Lyons, Third-Year Student at the National Theatre Conservatory

If you were a Third-Year student at the NATIONAL THEATRE CONSERVATORY, you would most likely have the opportunity to understudy a part in a Denver Center Theatre Company production. Some of you would actually understudy several parts in one show. Others of you would be cast in one show while understudying a part in another show at the same time — it can get rather tricky; but the opportunity is valuable in its lessons of discipline and professionalism, not to mention simple line memorization, typically the least of your worries.

If you were a Third-Year, you might be only an understudy for a certain show, so attending rehearsals in that case is not required. You would merely attend of your own volition to learn the movement of your character(s) and perhaps get a better understanding of your lines. The only requirement is a scheduled “Understudy Rehearsal,” where the Stage Manager will basically lead all of the understudies through the show on the set with the props. Other than that, there is a lot of freedom, but you’d better be ready if called upon because you never know. Several years ago, a student understudied Hamlet. He did go on, and he did great.

If you were a Third-Year, you would still have classes most of the week at nine in the morning. Whether it is directing, voice, movement, or showcase, attendance is mandatory and sleeping is not. You would also be in the midst of planning fundraisers for your class to earn some desperately needed extra cash as you will most likely venture into the wonderful world of unemployment after graduation – but hopefully not for long.

If you were a Third-Year, some of your class might be lucky enough to receive larger roles than others — it is simply the nature of the business. But most importantly, what you’ll find is the chance to build relationships with an excellent group of actors who have been around the block a couple of times. Whether you are a lead, a servant, a spear carrier, or just a tree in the background, you will get to know what it’s like to work with a professional ensemble, the ins and outs of an Equity production, and the fact that everyone has to start somewhere.

National Theatre Conservatory instructor Robert Davidson (foreground) teaches a movement class. Photo by Eric Laurits.

If you were a Third-Year, you’d slowly be transitioning out of the scholastic environment into the professional world, even though the learning never stops. No matter how many classes you take, it’s not until you take that step onto the big stage that a new schooling begins.

And if you’re anything like me, that step will be a great feeling.

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By Matt Zambrano, First Year Student, National Theatre Conservatory

Matt Zambrano

With one week of school under his belt, an incoming NATIONAL THEATRE CONSERVATORY student dishes on his new graduate school, acceptance into the three-year program, his hopes and his dreams.

From Matt Zambrano — As a native of Denver, I had the least distance to travel when starting the program almost 3 weeks ago. I was truly excited to begin my experience here, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit anxious as well.  Before coming to the NTC, I was working for a fantastic non-profit touring and writing shows for elementary schools, as well as writing and acting in an award-winning live sitcom called “tRUNks” at Buntport Theater.  These were wonderful places with wonderful people, and leaving them behind for an unknown venture into grad school was not an easy decision. But, knowing the faculty I would be working with and having befriended several of my classmates at the callback weekend, I met the challenge with open arms.

So far it has been a great experience, though exhausting on several levels.  There is so much information to try and process that at times it seems an almost insurmountable task to keep it all in my brain. But, without exception everyone involved in the program and at the Center is unyielding in their support and enthusiasm for myself and my 7 compatriots.  I look forward to what the rest of the 1st semester will bring, and right now I have to stop writing this so I can read a Chekov play.  ~ Z

Popularity: 25% [?]