For over 10 years, our national award-winning theater company has been a creative home for young actors, writers, and artists to explore their creative talents and discover what they’re capable of. We proudly live by our motto, “Young people making art happen.”

Designed for passionate young performers ages 12+, our weekly summer intensive programs invite middle and high school students to find their spotlight among our supportive artistic community. Whether you’re a veteran actor or a total newcomer, we are here to support and celebrate your passion for the arts!

Join for one week or the whole summer! Led by professional directors, actors, and playwrights, intensive participants will study an engaging mixed performing arts curriculum, including acting, improv, playwriting, devising, Shakespeare, Greek Drama, clown, puppetry, and more!

JULY INSTRUCTORS (WEeks 1-4)

Zoe Senese-Grossberg is a director, playwright and teaching artist who has served as Firebird’s literary director since 2017. Her writing has been celebrated at the O’Neill National Playwriting Conference, and she’s worked at renowned theater companies such as Rattlestick and the Workshop Theater. Zoe has a great passion for encouraging students to find their voice through text exploration and collaborative storytelling.

Sophie Falvey is an actor, writer, and teaching artist, and a resident artist of the Firebird Players ensemble (Rossum’s Universal Robots, The Seagull, Boy My Greatness). They specialize in teaching theater devising and have a background in both classical and experimental acting, as well as clown & improv. Sophie’s playful, confident approach encourages students to come out of their shell and find their own storytelling style.

AUGUST INSTRUCTORS (WEeks 5-8)

Leo Lion is a director, teaching artist, and improv/RPG storyteller, and the founding Artistic Director of The Firebird Project. With a background in adapting classics and myths for the stage, Leo brings a narrative-focused approach to teaching, encouraging students to find their own creative voice by exploring well-known stories in experimental ways.

Isabelle Pflanz is an actor, somatic dancer, and teaching artist, and a resident artist of the Firebird Players ensemble (Our Town, Rossum’s Universal Robots). She specializes in physical theatre and devised storytelling, and has a background in classical acting and contact improv. With a love for telling stories through physical play, Isabelle helps students confidently engage their bodies and become supportive, collaborative ensemble members.