Unlock Your Potential with an Exciting Musical Theater Experience—In an Encouraging Environment
Led by Professional Theater Veterans: Matt Williams & Derek Hamblin
Submit Your Audition Video
FINAL CALL Deadline Extended to Friday, June 19—See Instructions Below
Seeing last-minute videos roll in has been fantastic!
We get it, it is a busy time! Because submissions are still actively coming through, we want to make sure the door is completely open for any final students who want to be a part of the program this summer. Whether you missed the original date, just found out about the show, or want to pass this along to a friend who might be interested, the deadline has been extended by a week for a final opportunity to submit.
Artspace Southern Illinois is pleased to invite students to this immersive program and to provide funding support, bringing professional-level opportunities—tuition-free—to students in Southern Illinois—a program celebrating 30+ years. Learn more about our Student Theater Project ASHSTP™.
What Sets This Immersive Apart
Providing professional-level staging and performance training
Learn from accomplished Broadway and theater instructors and mentors
Components cover various aspects of musical theater
Gain valuable new connections and development
Program Highlights
Tuition Free
We are pleased to offer this immersive program to students tuition-free, removing financial barriers
Performance Finale
Each of the training sessions leads to a final production audience performance on the final day (Friday) at 12:30 pm at John A. Logan College, O’Neil Auditorium
What You Will Learn
Dance Component
Focuses on beginning to intermediate level musical theatre jazz technique and vocabulary, plus phrases for the final presentation
Singing Component
Focuses on proper vocal performance preparation, training, musical theatre choral techniques, and music rehearsal for the final showcase
Staging Component
Fuses movement, vocals, acting, and storytelling techniques together. The inclusion of rehearsal scenery and props completes the professional presentation experience
Two Sessions—Middle School and High School
Middle School Session: Outgoing 6 to 8 Graders—New this year
July 6 - 10
Monday - Thursday - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
High School Session: Outgoing 9 to 12 Graders—Recent Graduates Welcome - Last Chance to Attend!
July 13 - 17
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location
John A. Logan College, O’Neil Auditorium
Led By:
Program Director/Choreographer/Coordinator: Matt Williams
A Broadway veteran, Matt has led this program for several years and brings extensive theater experience. He is an SIU Theater Professor. Matt’s experience includes choreographing Will Ferrell’s Broadway debut, You’re Welcome America, at the Cort Theater. His Off-Broadway credits include Rooms, A Rock Romance, and the 2012 revival of Carrie, the musical. Matt was the assistant director to Casey Nicholaw on the Broadway production All About Me and was also the Movement Director for Stephen Schwartz’s opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon at Lincoln Center. For fourteen seasons, he was the resident choreographer and act-builder for the internationally acclaimed Circus Smirkus as well as the "Big" Piano Dance choreographer for eight years at FAO Schwarz in NYC. Matt’s SIU directing and choreographing credits include Lucky Stiff, Mousetrap, She Loves Me, Urinetown, and Anything Goes. Matt is thankful to God for the blessing of serving on the SIU faculty since 2021.
Program Conductor: Derek Hamblin
A theater and music veteran, Derek received his B.A in Vocal Performance (Berea College, KY) and completed his studies for M.M in Music Theatre & Opera Performance at SIU. Aside from directing and music directing throughout Southern Illinois, Derek teaches voice and music theatre in his private studio. He directed Skyline Creek’s Production of The Sound Of Music and is working to bring Disney’s Frozen to Southern Illinois. Derek has studied and performed internationally including as a soloist, in choral and operatic works, and instrumental arrangement for small orchestral ensembles in Salzburg, Austria. He has also performed throughout Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Derek’s experience includes working in regional professional theaters such as McLeod Summer Playhouse, Jenny Wiley Theatre, and at the Lincoln Amphitheatre as an Actor, Musician, Director, Conductor, and Casting Associate at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). His Southern Illinois regional credits include: Jenny Wiley Theatre (Guys & Dolls, Joseph...Dreamcoat, Charlie Brown, Fiddler on the Roof, Lincoln Amphitheater - Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, McLeod Summer Playhouse - AIDA, All Shook Up, Into the Woods, Hair, Legally Blonde, Anything Goes, Big River, Hairspray. Derek is thrilled to be working with Matt again and the ASHSTP™ Summer Immersive.
Audition Video Submission Process & Requirements
FINAL CALL Deadline Extended: Friday, June 19 - midnight CT
SUBMIT Video Link: Upload Your Audition Video to YouTube (or a similar platform) and submit the link (no attachments or video files)
If you are under 13, a parent or guardian must complete this form and provide consent.
Selection
20 students will be accepted for each session—20 for Middle School and 20 for High School
All students who submit an audition video will be notified by June 19, 2026, regarding acceptance status
Singing Audition Video (required)
Share a 30–60 second video of yourself singing a song from a musical (upbeat tune or heartfelt ballad)
Accompaniment is preferred over a cappella
Before recording your song, please introduce yourself on camera and provide the following:
First and Last name
Current school you are attending (recent grads, school you graduated from)
What year did you just complete
Number of musicals you have participated in
Tell us your favorite Broadway song!
Complete the form below - in the EXPERIENCE section, please include
List your experience with theatre, dancing, and musical theatre
OPTIONAL - Dance Audition Video: Have dance experience? We’d love to see it.
Share a 30 - 60 second video of yourself dancing
Does not need to be professional-level choreography
Can be any style of dance
Email Submissions - Due June 19
Once recorded, email your YouTube video(s) link (or another platform link) and provide the following information to: matthew.williams@siu.edu
Include the following Information in your email
Student’s Full Name
Parent or Guardian’s Full Name - Email Address and Phone Number (required)
You can Include a Student Email and Phone Number (Optional - let us know if you want to use this as your main contact)
List Your Musical Theater Experience
REQUIRED Singing Video Audition URL Link: 30 - 60 Second Video YouTube (or similar video platform) Link
OPTIONAL Dancing Video Audition (if you have experience and would like to share): 30 - 60 Second Video YouTube (or similar video platform) Link
Notifications
Communication will come from Matt Williams - please watch for his message. Acceptance notification will be sent by June 19, 2026. All individuals will be contacted regarding their acceptance status.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Matt at: matthew.williams@siu.edu
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program which is made possible by support from generous donors and the following:
