SOLO – College Essay Program

Dear High School Theatre Students:

Are you struggling to find the perfect words to convey your unique experiences and aspirations in your college essays?

This is why we created solo.

Unleash the Power of Performance in Your College Essays

In SOLO, we blend the Artistry of theatre with the necessity of college applications.

Learn more

We understand the challenges that most theatre students face when tackling their college essays.

How do you capture the essence of who you are in a few hundred words?

How do you stand out amidst a sea of applicants with similar aspirations?

That's where SOLO comes in.

This week-long program is designed to empower high school students with solo performance techniques in order to craft a compelling college essay.

Through a carefully-curated curriculum and hands-on exercises, students will explore how to infuse their essays with the authenticity, depth, and creativity that only theatre can provide.

Join us for 5 transformative days, and not only enhance your college applications but also deepen your connection to your own story.

By the end of the week, you will have:

Completed Common App College Essay that is Application Ready
An original theatrical piece written by YOU
Solo performance final showcase for public audience
1-on-1 Acting Coaching
1-on-1 College Essay Support

View schedule

SOLO is more than just a writing workshop.

It's a journey of self-revelation and self-expression that goes beyond the confines of traditional essay writing. You will learn to:

Harness the power of storytelling

Learn how to infuse your personal experiences with theatrical elements to create narratives that are engaging and reflective of your unique journey.

Develop YOUR Authentic Voice

Discover the art of self-expression through performance, honing your ability to convey your thoughts, emotions, and aspirations with authenticity and conviction.

Craft compelling narratives

Master the art of structuring and pacing your story for maximum impact, captivating your audience from the opening act to the final curtain call.

Navigate the College Application Process

Gain valuable insights into the nuances of college admissions, learning how to leverage your theatrical talents to stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

Your college essay isn't just a piece of writing—it's a performance waiting to be unleashed.

class Schedule

Time

9:30am-3:30Pm

Continental breakfast served every day.

Hour-long lunch break each day.

Location

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

College Park, MD 20871

Day 1

Introduction to SOLO

An introduction to SOLO, incorporating icebreakers, program objectives, and delving into the unique intersection of theatre and college essays, while also addressing the specific challenges theatre students may encounter in writing their college essays.

Day 2

Mining Your Material

Delve into mining you material, focusing on identifying key experiences and themes, crafting a narrative arc, employing techniques for authentic storytelling, and engaging in group discussions and peer feedback sessions.

Day 3

The Art of Performance

An introduction to solo performance technique, covering body language, voice projection, embodying narratives, and engaging in individual practice and performance exercises.

Day 4

From Stage to Page

Learn to translate performance skills into writing, focusing on structuring essays for impact, crafting vivid descriptions and dialogue, and engaging in a workshop and revision session to refine their work.

Day 5

Rehearsal & Reflection

Students rehearse their solo performances, finalize their college essays, reflect on their journey throughout the program, and celebrate with a showcase of student work.

Meet your lead instructor

Leayne is excited to debut Theatre Major’s arts integrated college prep programming with SOLO!

Leayne Dempsey is the Founder and CEO of Theatre Major, LLC. Theatre Major is known for its flagship college counseling and college audition coaching program; A2A: application to acceptance. The A2A program has helped many students receive college acceptances in to top acting and musical theatre programs around the world including: Juilliard, Carnegie Mellon Unviersity, University of Michigan, UCLA, and Howard University.

Leayne is an actress and proud member of the Actors Equity Association who has performed in various theatre houses including: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Hangar Theatre and many more. She is a freelance dramaturg and a resident dramaturg at the National Theatre in DC. She is a producer and playwright of her plays, The Girls Inside and Hashtag Salvation. Leayne is a certified Maryland State teacher who has taught International Baccalaureate English and Theatre in Montgomery County Public Schools. Recently, she made her Broadway investor debut with Alicia Keys’s new musical “Hell’s Kitchen” which leads this year’s Tony Award nominations with 13 nominations.

Session 1

July 22-26

Session 2

Aug 5–9

9:30am-3:30Pm

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

College Park, MD 20871

Sign up below and get your spot in SOLO. We can't wait to work with you!

Tuition

$995

$500 deposit due upon registration
$247.50 due by June 30th
$247.50 due by July 12th

–or– pay in full and save $50

Choose Your SOLO Session
- Session 1: July 22-26
- Session 2: August 5-9
Session 1: July 22-26
Session 2: August 5-9

Student Name*
First Last
Student Pronouns
Student Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Student Email*

Use your best email (i.e. the one you check)
Will you be applying to schools for musical theatre or acting? If not, what major do you plan on pursuing?
Tshirt Size

Student Age*
- I am under 18
- I am 18+
Parent/Guardian Name
First Last
Parent/Guardian Email

Use your best email (i.e. the one you check)
Parent Address
- Address Same as Student
- Different from Student
Parent Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Session 1: July 22-26
Session 2: August 5-9
SOLO Registration Payment
- Pay in Full: $945 *Saves $50*
- Pay in Installments: $500 due today
Discount Code
Due Today
$0.00
Payment is processed securely via Stripe.
Credit Card
Card Details
Cardholder Name
Terms*
You will be invoiced for the remaining tuition balance. $247.50 will due by June 30th and $247.50 will be due by July 12th
I understand this info.
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Session 1

July 22-26

Session 2

Aug 5-9

Leayne Dempsey

Leayne Dempsey is the CEO of Theatre Major, author of the @dearfuturetheatremajor letters, and a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association. She is a resident dramaturg for the National Theatre Foundation in DC. She is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultant Association, member of the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling, international director, Actor, acting coach, Maryland state-certified teacher and a Master Teacher for the Maryland Office of Fine Arts. Leayne holds a B.A. in Theatre, B.A. in English, Masters in Education and Masters in Mental Health Counseling specializing in Expressive Arts Therapy. Leayne’s thesis, “Drama Therapy with Active Duty Service Members”, has been published and presented at NYU’s Theatre and Health Symposium.

Leayne is a goal-oriented professional who gives the very best to her students. Her coaching and unique process for developing college audition repertoire has helped many receive full artistic scholarships to some of the world’s top higher education theatre programs. Leayne does this work because she loves it – the craft, the theories, and the process. The networking she has gained through theatre is immeasurable. Leayne is thankful for her roots in the arts and her time as a Proud Theatre Major in college. Leayne believes there is a place in theatre for you, a place only YOU can fill!

Dear High School Theatre Students:

Are you struggling to find the perfect words to convey your unique experiences and aspirations in your college essays?

This is why we created solo.

Unleash the Power of Performance in Your College Essays

In SOLO, we blend the Artistry of theatre with the necessity of college applications.

We understand the challenges that most theatre students face when tackling their college essays.

That's where SOLO comes in.

This week-long program is designed to empower high school students with solo performance techniques in order to craft a compelling college essay.

Join us for 5 transformative days, and not only enhance your college applications but also deepen your connection to your own story.

By the end of the week, you will have:

SOLO is more than just a writing workshop.

It's a journey of self-revelation and self-expression that goes beyond the confines of traditional essay writing. You will learn to:

Harness the power of storytelling

Develop YOUR Authentic Voice

Craft compelling narratives

Navigate the College Application Process

Your college essay isn't just a piece of writing—it's a performance waiting to be unleashed.

class Schedule

Time

9:30am-3:30Pm

Location

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Day 1

Introduction to SOLO

Day 2

Mining Your Material

Day 3

The Art of Performance

Day 4

From Stage to Page

Day 5

Rehearsal & Reflection

Meet your lead instructor

Leayne is excited to debut Theatre Major’s arts integrated college prep programming with SOLO!

Session 1

July 22-26

Session 2

Aug 5–9

9:30am-3:30Pm

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Sign up below and get your spot in SOLO. We can't wait to work with you!

Tuition

$995

–or– pay in full and *save $50*

Session 1: July 22-26

Session 2: August 5-9

Session 1

July 22-26

Session 2

Aug 5-9

Meet Leayne

The Program

Testimonials

Blog

Apply Now

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–or– pay in full and save $50