For 2026, Burning Coal is excited to present Disney’s NEWSIES JR. for their summer intensive conservatory production! This year’s STC is for ages 12-19.
**Registration opens soon! Check here for updates!
STC is our intensive, three-week conservatory for students interested in professional training and having fun with a new “theatre family”.
Discover the techniques that work for you with morning master classes from professionals and educators from across the state. In the afternoon, rehearse a play and prep on the final two days for your culminating performance.
Students ages 12-19 are encouraged to apply. Every student will have the chance to perform.
No previous theatre experience is required to join STC, and all students enrolled will have a role.
We welcome students of all abilities to join us, and if your student has specific accessibility needs there is space to let us know on the application.
If your student is interested in technical theatre opportunities such as design, assistant directing, or stage management, let us know by emailing info@burningcoal.org.
FEE: $500, with $250 due upon application and the remainder due by June 15th, 2026. Partial scholarships available upon request.
2026 Production: TBA
CLASS STRUCTURE: STC consists of morning classes with guest artists from across the state’s myriad professional theatres and educational institutions and afternoon rehearsals for a classic or modern classic play or musical.
Drop off is from 9:30am – 10am, pick up is from 4pm – 4:30pm (if you require extended time, give us a call at 919.834.4001 in advance to let us know or email info@burningcoal.org). There is a carpooling interest checkbox on our application form so we can connect parents together. There will be an hour-long lunch break between the morning and afternoon sessions (students bring their own lunch).
Week 1: Guest Artists will come in during the mornings to teach master classes. Afternoons will consist of play discussions and blocking rehearsals. This is also a fun time where students make friends and get to know each other!
Week 2: More Guest Artists will come in to teach master classes in the mornings. Rehearsals will begin in earnest this week with an exploration of character and performance styles.
Week 3: This week is all focused on getting performance-ready. Performances will be fine-tuned and there will be multiple tech and dress rehearsals for practice.
Performance Days: Performances are open to the public, and students are encouraged to invite friends and family to attend. On the Friday performance day, students are invited to join us for a Pizza Party between the end of class and the performance! On the Saturday performance students are expected to be at the theatre at least 1 hour before the first performance to get ready. We aspire to give students a professional performance experience and responsibilities.
GUEST ARTISTS will conduct classes during the conservatory. They are all working theatre performers or college-level educators. Past teaching artists from colleges and professional theatres around the state have included:
Jill Carlson [ECU] – Stage Combat
Ray Dooley [PlayMakers Rep] – Auditioning
Carl Forsman [UNC-School of the Arts] – Shakespeare Text
John Gulley [UNCG] – Meisner Technique
Jo Hall [Greensboro College] – Fitzmaurice/Berry
Class Dates:
Jul 14 – August 1, 2025
10 am – 4 pm on Monday – Friday
$425 DUE $100 deposit with application, remainder due before class starts on July 14th.
Application Deadline: July 1st
To sign up, start by filling out the application form, or call (919) 834-4001.
Then, pay for enrollment online by clicking here. You may also pay over the phone at (919) 834-4001, or send a check made out to Burning Coal Theatre Company to 224 Polk St., Raleigh, NC 27604.
NOTE: There are partial scholarships available. APPLY HERE for a scholarship to attend STC. To find out more about them, please call (919) 834-4001 or email coalartisticdir@ncrrbiz.com
Questions?
Direct all questions to Artistic Director Jerome Davis at coalartisticdir@ncrrbiz.com or call us at (919) 834-4001
August 1 at 7pm, August 2nd at 2pm and 7pm
Tickets $20 general admission, $10 students 18 and under.
Each student will receive 2 complimentary tickets which MUST be request in advance.
224 Polk St., Raleigh, NC 27604
For additional information, please call 919.834.4001.