Creative Writing
Emphasizing fiction and non-fiction prose and poetry, artists-in-residence, visiting poets, playwrights, and novelists work with students to increase writing skills and critical awareness. A juried literary magazine is produced at the end of the program and becomes part of the student portfolio. Personal laptops are not used as students use computer facilities on campus.

Dance
Instruction is primarily modern dance techniques with ballet classes three times a week and composition/repertory classes every day. The work stresses classical body placement, clarity of line and strong energetic movement. Students develop performance, composition and choreographic skills, as well as an historical perspective on the development of modern dance. Dancers often collaborate with other departments.

Filmmaking
Film students will work with video, super VHS and digital cameras learning Hollywood film style of shooting for 3 or 4 short films the group will collaborate to produce. Storyboarding, screen writing, team-building, producing and editing skills on state-of-the-art equipment in Wesleyan’s professional labs are key components of the course.

Music
Students major in either an instrument or vocal music. They develop their skills in many musical styles by working in small ensembles with professional coaches. In addition, students study music theory, music history, composition, and ear training. Students will be part of and perform with the jazz, percussion, string, brass, woodwind, piano or vocal chamber ensembles.

2-week School of Rock for music students who want to specialize in studying Rock-and-Roll guitar, bass or drums. School of Rock begins on Sunday June 29 and end on Friday July 11, 2008. Classes will be taught by Artist/Instructors with strong Rock-and-Roll performing backgrounds. Coursework covers major/minor pentatonic scales, chords and progressions, tablature reading, picking/strumming techniques, phrasing, how to “take” songs off a record, communicating with other musicians, “decoding” rock music, etc.. Each afternoon guitarists/bassists will have Songwriting, and drummers will study techniques of West African Drumming (hand and stick). School of Rock students will be integrated with regular scheduled curricula and activities, experiencing an abbreviated version of the 5-week program.

Musical Theater
Students majoring in musical theater integrate concentrated actor training with daily voice work and dance. Students work on solo and ensemble performance skills using selections from the American Musical Theater Lexicon. History of Musical Theater and performance opportunities are part of the program

Photography
The focus is on aesthetic, technical, and historical aspects of black and white photography and print developing towards mastery over photographic equipment, materials, and processes. Students use the newly renovated Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts photography studio as well as Wesleyan’s studio to work towards mastery over photographic equipment, materials, and processes. They learn qualities of light and shadow, sense of motion, and relationship of subject to frame. Students will also be introduced to digital imaging. Student will shoot film all over the campus, working with other departments and on excursions off-campus. Methods of film development, contact printing and enlarging prepare students for a juried exhibit at Wesleyan's Zilkha Art Gallery.

Technical Theater
This is a design-based program, with emphasis on studying the conceptual and artistic aspects of lighting, sound, set and costume design in direct relationship to readings of plays and scenes. Hands-on application of teachings will help to support the concerts and performances of the Wesleyan Summer Arts Series which take place during the five weeks. Students will receive a combination of lecture and practical work, including discussion and training for Stage Management and Producing. This pre-college design program prepares students for advanced college level study, or entry to the profession. Along with exploring the state-of-the-art Wesleyan University facilities, they will have the opportunity to visit the Goodspeed Opera House and Hartford Stage Company, both Tony Award-winning regional theaters 20 miles from campus for workshops, tours and career talks.

Theater
Theater majors begin with a five-day intensive program in movement for actors, based primarily on the Laban and the Viewpoint techniques. This is designed for the actor and does not require any dance experience. Students start each day with Suzuki method intensive exercises in ensemble building, focus and concentration, voice and diction, and improvisation. Theater students then focus on monologues, scene work and audition preparation. Area professionals offer Master Classes. A field trip to a local professional production supports their studies.

Visual Arts
The curriculum emphasizes visual problem-solving through a variety of drawing and painting media in both realistic and abstract styles. The focus is on aesthetic, technical and historical concerns, employing skills in drawing, and color rendering. Students engage in an in-depth practical course employing skills in drawing, color rendering, sculpting and model making. Students will be introduced to digital imaging. Art library assignments and a major fieldtrip develop historic context for art study. Students have evening access to studio facilities. The program culminates with a juried exhibit and individual portfolio development.