"Our son's acting ability has
improved DRAMATICALLY since he's been attending Columbia Gorge
School of Theatre!"
says John Schneider, star of "Smallville," "The
Dukes of Hazzard" and co-founder of the Children's Miracle Network. |
About Us
F.A.Q. - Frequently Asked
Questions
- Click on a question below to get an
answer, or simply page down.
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- What is the Columbia Gorge School
of Theatre?
- The Columbia Gorge School of Theatre is an actor training
program for youth of all ages who love theatre. We are dedicated
to the education of young theatrical performers and to giving
them an adventurous summer to enrich their pre-college
experience. We believe that a rigorous theatre training program
helps students gain a sense of community, improves their
communication skills , and raises their self-esteem. CGST offers
a well-rounded experience to challenge and encourage growth in
all students artistically and personally. Throughout the summer
students are trained in various disciplines of theatre arts.
Students also perform in a show and enjoy all of the terrific
outdoor activities that the Gorge has to offer.
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Most importantly, CGST is an
emotionally safe oasis of love, support, and theatre!
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- Where are you located?
- The Columbia Gorge School of Theatre is located on the
gorgeous 142 acre Blue Moon Ranch in White Salmon, Washington.
We are 35 minutes from Hood River, Oregon, and 90 minutes from
Portland, Oregon (the nearest major airport - PDX). The Gorge is
famous for its apples and pears, and is the wind surfing capital
of the world. The region offers opportunities to hike on trails
and mountains, ski on Mt. Hood, and engage in water sports on
the Columbia River. The Ranch offers a terrific view of Mt.
Adams, and we share it with the vast wildlife that roam the
area. Summers are sunny and beautiful in the Gorge with low
humidity, and it can get hot!
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- What are your facilities like?
- The 4,800 square foot performing arts center is where most
activities take place. In it is our 30 x 40 foot dance studio,
three large girls room, one large boys room, and two large
bathroom facilities inside the dorm rooms. At the heart of CGST
is the log cabin, which overlooks the two acre Standing Bear
Pond. The cabin serves as the staff quarters. We also have the
2400 square foot White Hawk Theatre - with a 30 x 40 foot stage
- and two 900 square foot classrooms. In addition there is
Jan James' house, Jesse and Laurel's home, a volleyball field, a
basketball court, a kitchen, and a horse barn. Everything is
blissfully rustic and modern enough for comfortable living.
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- What classes do you offer?
- CGST offers a variety of theatre classes to challenge and
inspire. Each Session offers different classes.
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- What kind of summer activities
do you offer?
- CGST offers many chances for recreation during the
off-times. The weekends are the perfect time to relax and engage
in outdoor sports after a week of rehearsal and classes.
Throughout the summer, the camp counselors work to create
activities to keep the weekends eventful. There will be several
chances to go on hikes through the expansive surrounding
forests. Other activities might include softball, volleyball,
swimming in Standing Bear Pond, dances, camp outs, movie nights,
jewelry making, and field trips. Overall, it's going to be an
exciting summer filled with great times and fun activities!
- What are the dates? What
what is a typical day's schedule?
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- Is there an opportunity to perform?
- Everyone gets to be in a show! Each session offers a
different performance opportunity. We feel that theatre students
learn by doing, and that they grow by being involved in a stage
performance. Students get to give feedback on what type of a
production they'd like to be a part of (musical, comedy, drama,
etc), but not everybody gets their first choice. CGST students
are expected to accept their roles professionally and gleefully.
- Click here to see lists of some of our
past productions.
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- When are applications due?
- Since CGST is filled on a first-come, first-served basis, we
highly recommend that you enroll as soon as possible. Some
sessions fill up quite early. If you enroll early, you can save
HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS.
-
- Enroll
Today!
- Do you have to audition to enroll?
- No. The only requirement to attend CGST is that you love
theatre! Some students have very much professional experience --
some have almost no experience. Our curriculum challenges and
inspires students of all levels. Since there is so much
competition in the theatre, we strive to create a safe
environment for freedom of expression and risk-taking. Your
enthusiasm and willingness to learn are the keys to success at
CGST. We have a colorblind casting policy and do not
discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, gender, or
sexual orientation.
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- How big is the program?
- We enroll only 64 students at any given time, and are
committed to keeping the class sizes small (average of 16
students per classroom). Some classes are split into four
sections. CGST is not a large camp where students get lost in
the shuffle. We are a small, professional theatre training
program dedicated to individual growth and instruction.
Enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis, so please
enroll as
soon as possible.
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- How old do you have to be to attend
CGST?
- CGST is open to performers ages 8 - 18.
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- How much does CGST cost?
Click here for the current enrollment form.
- Price includes 3 meals a day, snacks, classes, rehearsals,
housing, production of shows, a water bottle, a show video,
outdoor activities, and field trips. Campers only need to bring
extra money for field trips and stopping at WalMart.
Click here
for information on our dates and prices and look for the
'Included' section.
Do you offer scholarships?
CGST offers a limited number of need-based talent
scholarships for students who want to attend, but can't afford
to. Please request a financial aid sheet to qualify for the
scholarships (or click the link below). You can submit a 2-page
essay, submit a video taped
audition, or arrange an audition in Hood River or Portland,
Oregon. Please contact your school guidance counselor and
local community groups. They often have scholarship dollars
available for summer programs. You can also do your own fund
raising. Please only apply for a scholarships if you
would not be able to attend CGST without one. If you are
interested in sponsoring a student, please
contact us.
Click
here for a scholarship application.
How big is the staff?
- The staff is comprised of the Executive Director (Jan
James), the Artistic Director (Jesse
Merz), Camp Director (Laurel Merz),
the Musical Director, the Dance Director, and theatrically
experienced Camp Counselors. CGST also employs a cook, interns,
apprentices, maintenance crew, kitchen crew, and hires people to
run additional workshops. Our student/staff ratio is
approximately 1:3. All instructors have teaching experience, a
degree in their expertise, and/or professional credits. Please
note that due to circumstances beyond our control the faculty
roster is subject to change without notice.
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- Where does the staff come
from?
- We hire our staff from New York City and from across the
country.
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- How do I get to the Blue Moon
Ranch?
- The Ranch is located about a half hour drive north of Hood
River, Oregon. Specific directions will be available after you
enroll. If you live outside of the Northwest, the staff will
pick you up in the early afternoon on the start date of the camp
at the Portland International Airport, PDX (for an nominal fee).
Specific time requirements will be provided after you enroll.
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- What kind of food do you offer?
- Three meals a day are provided for the campers. All meals
are all-you-can-eat and are nutritionally balanced. In addition,
late night snacks will be available after rehearsal. Vegetarians
are welcome.
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- What supplies do I have to bring?
- Once you enroll, you will be provided with a list of things
to bring. It is suggested that the campers arrive with all the
supplies they need. We'll bring the campers to Wal-Mart on
occasion to get any items they may need. For an idea of what is
required,
click here.
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- Am I required to have
health insurance?
- All campers are required to carry health insurance and
furnish the camp with the information in case of emergency.
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- Do you accept credit cards?
- YES, we accept VISA &
Mastercard. You can
register
online, use our
printable form, or please call 1-800-405-3450 to pay over
the phone.
- What kind of rules are there?
- We want the camp to be fun for everyone and to run as
smoothly as possible. Therefore, we have instilled some
important rules that must be adhered to.
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- We expect all CGST Company members to be supportive of their
fellow Company members at all times. Smoking, drinking alcohol,
the use of drugs, romantic contact, sneaking out after lights
out, and other unacceptable behavior are all strictly
prohibited. You are required to sign a statement that you will
abstain from such behaviors before you're accepted into the
program. If you fail to follow these rules, we will contact your
parents, and you will be expelled immediately with no refund. Failure
to follow all reasonable directions of any staff member is also
grounds for dismissal.At the Blue Moon Ranch, we believe in a
cooperative spirit. Therefore, all students will be required to
work together and do some light chores such as sweeping and
cleaning throughout the summer. These will be on a rotating
basis, and never take up too much time. They can even be fun!
:-)
- What do I do now?
- If you already have an enrollment packet, fill it out today
and enroll! If you don't have a packet yet, you can Enroll
Online now, or write, call, or email us right away and we'll
send you out a packet as soon as possible. See:
Enrollment.
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CGST is an amazing experience.
All that's missing is you!
If you have any additional questions,
please call (800-405-3450) or email us
and we'll be happy to help you!
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