Thespian in the house

Some people may have been raised on country sunshine, but I was raised on stage lights, applause and that wonderful waxy smell of hot liquid coming out of a glue gun. As a mom now, I have to wonder why in the world I was allowed to use a hot glue gun in elementary school (and I have the scars to prove it), but that’s another story.

Needless to say, as soon as my daughter was of age, I steered her in every direction except the theatre.  We tried gymnastics, cheerleading, dance and she ended up choosing ….the stage.  She was the female lead in her show this spring. Okay – it’s my blog. I’m allowed to brag.

Sweet Miss Mary

Sweet Miss Mary

She lives to be on stage.   Do you have a budding thespian in your family who needs something to do over the summer? Here are some options. If you have experience with any of these camps, please post a comment so we can all benefit from your recommendation and suggestions.

Camp Showbiz at the Magik Theatre

At the two week sessions, kids create and perform their own stage plays from the first word to the last stage direction.  The four-week sessions for the older actors and actresses are full-stage Broadway productions. You may want to check on glue gun use!

The 411

Jewish Community Center Camp Teatron

The JCC has a well-established theatre program that runs the entire year.  In the summer, a month-long camp culminates in a full-stage production of a play. This summer’s show is The Aristocats. Important note: you have to be a member to attend Camp Teatron, but sometimes the JCC offers special membership deals. Another important note: you do not have to be Jewish!

The 411

Stone Oak Youth Theatre Camp

This is the new kid on the block and will be owner MaryClaire Becan’s first summer offering a camp. What’s nice is that you can choose from one of two tracks: acting or musical theatre.  Because SOYT is at its heart an educational facility, the experience includes character studies, analysis and scene work, especially for the older kids. Here’s a great story by Edmond Ortiz in MySA.com.

The 411

  • Acting Camp, June 8-12 or July 6-10 for ages 7-13
  • Musical Theatre Camp, June 22-26 or July 27-31 for ages 7-13
  • Teen Camp, June 20-24 for ages 13-17
  • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Cost: $160
  • Fantasy Playhouse, June 29-July 3 for ages 3-6
  • Princess Prep School (aww…do they take grownups?), July 13-17 for ages 3-6
  • 9 a.m. to noon
  • $90

Some more quick links

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  • lettergirl

    Our daughter has grown up with the Magik Children’s Theatre summer camps, starting first as a storybook character or superhero in the camps for younger kids, and then in the musical theater options the past few years.

    What I love is their passion for developing creative children. The focus is not on becoming a great performer, but tapping into that creative spirit. The younger kids’ shows may have 3 Superman characters and a handful of Junie B. Jones, but no matter. Every child’s input is valued.

    When my daughter did “Annie,” a few years ago, the child with the lead got cold feet during dress rehearsal, deciding maybe the “show must go on” without her. As I listened to my daughter talk about how their director sat with all the girls in a circle, talking and sharing about fear and supporting to each other no matter what, I realized she was getting way more out of it than learning the words to “Hard-Knock Life.”

    P.S. “Annie” worked through her stage fright and went on to do a fabulous job.

  • http://www.TheProducersPerspective.com Ken Davenport

    As a Broadway Producer, I can tell you that I do what I do today and love every minute of it, thanks to camps like this.

    You might want to check out the social networking site, http://www.BroadwaySpace.com. There are lot of camps on the site. Oh – and you can really brag about your daughter there, as you should. :-)

    Ken Davenport
    http://www.TheProducersPerspective.com

  • http://www.soyt.org MaryClaire Becan

    Thanks for including us!!!!

    • saBusyKids

      You are welcome! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for us on Friday :-)