Onxley Returns from Julliard Workshop

Kerry A. Onxley was accepted as a recipient of The Juilliard School’s Directing Workshop for Theatre Educator’s in New York City.  Only 15 participants across the United States were selected for this prestigious honor.  Onxley attended the school in July.  The program entailed an intense theatre study using workshops and rehearsal sessions led under the guidance of professional mentors and the artistic director of The Juilliard School.  The sessions were based on Shakespeare’s language structure and spontaneity.  Using Shakespeare materials, the study concentrated on preparing to rehearse, research and text analysis.  Unique directing styles were also reviewed.

Onxley applied for the theatre schooling in February, 2012 and was notified in May, 2012 that he had been accepted.

Participants were also given the opportunity to direct Juilliard students in a variety of scenes. For 2 days, members directed Juilliard students in the balcony scene, the fight scene and the lark scene of Romeo and Juliet.  Participants were divided into small groups with a mentor for each group to evaluate every directing decision made by the participant.

The Juilliard School is located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City and is a performing arts conservatory which was established during 1905. The school currently trains about 800 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music.  Notable stars as Kelsey Grammer, Robin Williams, Christopher Reeve and Kevin Spacey have graduate from this famous institution. Accepting only 18 students per year with tuition at $55,000.00 per semester, it is the premier school in theatre training in the world. 

According to Onxley, “The Juilliard School was the most intensive study of any subject matter I have ever encountered.  The training was invaluable and will be everlasting.  I will bring home from The Juilliard School so many innovated ideas and new methodology I can use every day with my theatre students.” 

Onxley is the Director of Theatre at the Westlake High School Theatre Department and has worked as a theatre specialist for the Calcasieu Parish School System for 26 years. His acting student Joshua Ledet recently was a finalist for American Idol.  He co-wrote the theatre arts curriculum for the Louisiana State Department of Education and serves as an evaluator for the Talented Arts Program for the state.  He has been involved in the leadership tier with the Educational Theatre Association, an organization dedicated to the high school thespians, for over 20 years.   Additionally, Onxley is artistic director for The Children’s Theatre Company.