About Groundplan
Our Legacy of Success
Groundplan is a premiere college technical theatre coaching service tailored for high school students that want to be the most prepared for their upcoming college interviews. Our expert team offers personalized, one-on-one consultations, comprehensive application revisions, and professional interview preparation.
Through our parent company, the Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute, we combine years of experience with innovative coaching methods to help students stand out in this competitive interview process.
Groundplan offers three, 5 week sessions throughout the year. Within each session, students have an entirely customizable and flexible schedule for their online work sessions, assignments, and check-ins. Each session concludes with a virtual conference where students can meet and interact with industry professionals from across the industry.
OUR DEDICATED TEAM
Our Run Crew is Ready to Create Your Groundplan for Success
BENJAMIN WOLFE
Founder and Director
Ben Wolfe is the founder and producer of the Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute, as well as its newest subsidiary The College Audition Edge. With nearly two decades of experience mentoring students, supporting families, and building professional spaces where artists' voices are heard and dreams are brought to life, he's most excited about the opportunity ahead with Groundplan. Ben's passion is creating experiences. Whether you're a student at Groundplan, at SSTI in the summer, or an audience member attending a production, his goal is for you to walk away profoundly impacted by a world he helped create. His greatest honor is that so many alumni (both staff and student) share his contagious passion, and that he has three such alum working alongside him here at Groundplan.
Madisen Frazier
Education Director, Groundplan Mentor
Madisen Frazier is a props and paints artisan based out of NYC. As ten-year SSTI veteran, Madisen has mentored over 100 aspiring high school technicians as they enter their dream schools and soon thereafter, the professional field. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Stage Design, she often also finds herself working in education, graphic design and production management. On campus at SSTI, Madisen serves as SSTI’s Tech Education Director, developing classes and curriculum annually that prepares students for careers in college and beyond. As an alum of SSTI herself, Madisen saw the transformative power that access to learning opportunities with professionals can have. She's thrilled to not only continue working with SSTI, but also to expand our offerings and opportunities to more students.
Georgia Reichard
Groundplan Mentor
Georgia Reichard is a NYC based multi-hyphenate theatre professional, working in scenic carpentry, props and paints, education, and performance. Georgia is passionate about interdisciplinary theatre arts, education as the foundation for a career in theatre, and helping student find their individual path for professional and personal success. Georgia graduated from Western Carolina University with honors, and currently works in NYC as professional theatre artist building off-broadway, regional, and touring productions. They are a proud SSTI alum and current staff member of SSTI, serving as the Assistant Director of Tech Education.
Camille Everett
Groundplan Mentor
Camille Everett is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with her BFA in Design and Production. Currently, Camille is based out of Las Vegas, where she works around the country in the Audio Technical Services Division of Vstar Entertainment (Paw Patrol Live, anyone?). She's most grateful for the ability to do what she loves for a living and it wouldn't be possible without the amazing professors and mentors who gave her the tools and support to succeed. As a working professional, it's now an incredible honor to help guide the next generation on their path towards establishing themselves as young professionals in our industry.
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What ages are eligible for Groundplan?Groundplan is designed with the current senior and junior class in mind. Younger students may get a head start, but should anticipate the need for add-on follow-up each semester as they progress in their high school journey. Current seniors may enroll at at time, but there is a November 18th enrollment cutoff for new students wishing to take part in Groundplan's Virtual Weekend on December 7th and 8th. Current seniors can still find great admissions success after this date, and are encouraged to enroll, however there is currently no plan for a second Groundplan Virtual Weekend in the Spring time. Current Juniors will be allowed to participate in Groundplan's Virtual Weekend, but interviews will not be for actual program admissions.
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Can my student request a specific mentor?Your mentor for the program will be assigned by many factors, including their availability, time zone, and your timeline for completion. We cannot guarantee any specific mentor assignment, but welcome any specific requests during your consultation.
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How long is the program offered by Groundplan?Within each five week session, Groundplan offers a flexible, online program designed to accommodate your schedule and pace. To provide the most complete experience and to present a final celebration weekend, Groundplan runs in sessions, and all students must start their program within the session's time window. We've had students take five weeks to complete the program, others have completed it in 10 days. It's truly based upon a student's goals and the time they have to devote to each step and assignment. For 2025, Groundplan will have one Spring Session, running February 24 through March 28. There will be two additional sessions in the Fall, with start dates in August and October.
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Do you offer in-person sessions?While our parent organization, the oft-referenced SSTI (Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute), serves as our in-person home each summer, there are currently no plans or programs in place for Groundplan to host in-person events.
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Can we purchase an Add-On Experience if we aren't enrolled?To purchase an Add-On experience, one must be a student currently enrolled in a Full or Alumni Plan.
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What is your success record for students?This is a great question! With our 10+ years of coaching high school theatre technicians, we've developed a tried and true method of preparing students to stand out through preparation and practice. As a result, our students have great success in the college admissions process. Students working with our mentors annually see a 90% acceptance rate for their application season for programs in BFA and BA Technical Theatre Design and Production. Please note that programmatic admission does not equal University admission. Our preparation at work is for artistic admission, please reference each school's academic requirements to judge academic admissions viability.
