Theater Camp Recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Young Artists of America is fabulous for summer. They have 2 week programs both sleep away and all day options. My kids have loved it!

Can you tell me more about YAA day camp? Is it just focused on the production or is there instruction in technique as well? Also, I think they meet on the weekends - how did your kids feel about that?

I’m a different poster but I will say this about YAA. It is INTENSE. Super amazing but super intense and probably not the best fit for a beginner. The production at the end for the senior academy is incredible. There is absolutely instruction in addition to the production. I think mornings were focused on classes and then afternoons on the show, but I’m not 100% about that. You can’t plan to do anything else while camp is in session. It’s long days, including weekends. They don’t play around. Two of my children have done it while it high school. I’m sure the younger levels aren’t quite as intense but, having seen the productions, they are challenging.
If your kid doesn’t eat breath sleep theater, I would consider something more like AHC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Young Artists of America is fabulous for summer. They have 2 week programs both sleep away and all day options. My kids have loved it!

Can you tell me more about YAA day camp? Is it just focused on the production or is there instruction in technique as well? Also, I think they meet on the weekends - how did your kids feel about that?

I’m a different poster but I will say this about YAA. It is INTENSE. Super amazing but super intense and probably not the best fit for a beginner. The production at the end for the senior academy is incredible. There is absolutely instruction in addition to the production. I think mornings were focused on classes and then afternoons on the show, but I’m not 100% about that. You can’t plan to do anything else while camp is in session. It’s long days, including weekends. They don’t play around. Two of my children have done it while it high school. I’m sure the younger levels aren’t quite as intense but, having seen the productions, they are challenging.
If your kid doesn’t eat breath sleep theater, I would consider something more like AHC.

Thank you. I'm the poster that asked about YAA but not the OP. My 6th grader is an experienced performer and has been cast in professional shows but I want him to get additional instruction and not just additional performance opportunities. Sounds like potentially a good fit for him. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The kids get 3-4 hours of instruction in voice, acting and dance daily, then work on a production for the rest of the day, every day for 2 weeks. They are exhausted but learn a ton. My child was in Legally Blonde last summer and absolutely loved the whole thing. They worked with a dancer who had them focus on every aspect of dance, they gushed about the director who supposedly made what they thought was going to be a light show, a really deep and meaningful acting experience, loved the cast and is still in touch with some of them. PP is right, they can do nothing else during the weeks they are in camp, but if they love theater it is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The kids get 3-4 hours of instruction in voice, acting and dance daily, then work on a production for the rest of the day, every day for 2 weeks. They are exhausted but learn a ton. My child was in Legally Blonde last summer and absolutely loved the whole thing. They worked with a dancer who had them focus on every aspect of dance, they gushed about the director who supposedly made what they thought was going to be a light show, a really deep and meaningful acting experience, loved the cast and is still in touch with some of them. PP is right, they can do nothing else during the weeks they are in camp, but if they love theater it is worth it.

Thanks! I'm the poster above with the 6th grade boy. He'd have to do the Jr camp and they are doing Annie Jr which he is not thrilled about....Rooster, Daddy Warbucks and Mr Bundle...are there other roles (or even ensemble numbers) for boys?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids get 3-4 hours of instruction in voice, acting and dance daily, then work on a production for the rest of the day, every day for 2 weeks. They are exhausted but learn a ton. My child was in Legally Blonde last summer and absolutely loved the whole thing. They worked with a dancer who had them focus on every aspect of dance, they gushed about the director who supposedly made what they thought was going to be a light show, a really deep and meaningful acting experience, loved the cast and is still in touch with some of them. PP is right, they can do nothing else during the weeks they are in camp, but if they love theater it is worth it.

Thanks! I'm the poster above with the 6th grade boy. He'd have to do the Jr camp and they are doing Annie Jr which he is not thrilled about....Rooster, Daddy Warbucks and Mr Bundle...are there other roles (or even ensemble numbers) for boys?

As the parent of a girl who liked musical theater, please do realize boys have an advantage in auditions. Last year had to see several programs in DC musical theater that were full for girls but still casting for boys.

[Anonymous]

Traveling Players Ensemble. They have summer camp options for her age group and they usually have some school year options in the beginning of the new year. Google them and check out their website. They have a respectful mailing list that keeps you up to date and they don’t sell your info. My daughter did summer camp a few times and participated in two of their school year productions - one of which was very transformative for her.

[Anonymous]

Blue Lake

[Anonymous]

Are there any regular schools still doing theater during the year. I have a 10 year gap between kids and it seems like the schools that were known for theater when DC1 was in school, no longer have robust programs. For kids really interested, what schools would you consider?

[Anonymous]

Encore Stage and Screen has a summer theater camp that is great. Based in Va.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anybody know what the audition for traveling players looks like? For a sixth grader. Thanks!

It's been a few years, but I think they get a side ahead of time and then turn up to a group audition and perform their pieces in front of the others. I didn't find competition particularly stiff at that age, but it is arguably one of the best programs in the region.

Ironically enough, I actually found imagination stage to have some of the nicest kids. I'm not refuting the prior posters experience, just noting that it wasn't the experience of my kid.

DD has been training with Traveling Players for a few years now and the auditions are pretty low-key for the younger kids. They do Open Houses like once a month if you want to talk to them before you audition. I think the one for January is this weekend.

As a sidenote – we have no experience with Imagination Stage so I can't speak to the niceness of those kids, but the Traveling Players group chat is the most supportive chat DD has. I don't care if DD continues to pursue acting, but middle school was hard, and I love that she has a great group of friends who just seem to be nice and drama-free.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of a theater camp that runs a session over Spring Break? My kid is DCPS so spring break is mid-April. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know of a theater camp that runs a session over Spring Break? My kid is DCPS so spring break is mid-April. Thanks!

Theatre Lab.

[Anonymous]

Traveling Players is really great. Our kid went last year and is going back this year. Really supportive and fun and creative - highly recommend!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Imagination stage is good. I’ve always wanted my kids to do the Shakespeare theater camp which looks like a ton of fun but they haven’t done it.

My DD liked Camp Shakespeare but LOVED Traveling Players and we've been there for a few years now. The shows are great and the teachers are super warm and supportive

That was not our experience, at all.

[Anonymous]

My DD is too young to attend, but wanted you to be aware of Arena Stage as an option for 8-15.