About the FREE training program

The HHOT Select Conservatory is designed to teach college and graduate level students the basic and finer points of classical and musical theatre performance from the perspectives of both actor and singer. In this four week intensive workshop participants have the opportunity to coach with the mainstage conductor and director, and are also coached in acting technique, movement and monologue audition preparation.  This program is appropriate for accomplished singers in still in school or just out and aged approximateled 20-24.

Comprimario and cover roles are available in the mainstage production. 

In addition to chorus and/or cover work, students will sing their own show with piano for two evenings and participate in outreach events.  

All students will be expected to participate in various duties involving the Hubbard Hall Opera Theater and will be assigned these duties by the program director.  Duties may include supertitle management, monitoring costumes, assisting the director or production manager, set building, painting etc...

Housing: Community families will be opening their homes to students as well as our directors and HHOT singers and instrumentalists. Students are expected to treat their hosts courteously and clean up after themselves.  Students are responsible for their own food, although they may have access to an in-house kitchen.  Wireless internet is available in all Hubbard Hall buildings.

This includes housing, all classes and transportation to Cambridge from Albany or Saratoga Springs.  Food is not included.  

Please feel free to request past student emails for references on the program.

"I truly enjoyed it, it was a wonderful experience. The cast and directors were talented and fun to work with. As for the technical aspects, it was great to be able to work with a director on such a small scale project because it forced me to not only get my first true acting experience, but because it showed me how I would have to change my acting depending on the intimacy of the theater. I learned how to not just learn the music, but how to really read into the music and see what I'm saying and how it would influence how I sing and act it in turn." - Elaina Pullano, Williams (Dinah, Third Lady cover) '12

"HHOT is a wonderful experience and valuable program. There are numerous opportunities to hone your craft and learn new techniques to sustain your career. I learned a great deal about the business and myself as a performer." - Abigail Seaman, Peabody (Norina cover and Belinda) '11, (Blonda) '12

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Hubbard Hall. The cast was incredibly professional and friendly. There was a real desire amongst everyone involved to put on the best show possible and the result was phenominal! It was an amazing experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life not only for being my first appearance in a mainstage production but also because of the incredible friendships and life lessons that I have come away with." -James McAdams, Friends (Notary, solo chorus) '11

"As a young singer, I felt that the select conservatory was a very valuable experience to have.  The conservatory provided something beyond what a school program could teach.  It allowed us to take part firsthand in the production of a professional show and outreach performances.  In addition, we were given instruction and coaching that felt inceredibly personalized and introduced us to new strategies and ways of thinking about our craft.  I feel that I gained a new sense of confidence in my performing during the conservatory, and it is something that I am incredibly thankful to have taken part in." - Hillary Esqueda, NYU (Sandman, Hansel cover) '09, (Musetta) '10