Acting camp for shy kid, bad idea?

[Anonymous]

My daughter has been painfully shy the last two years. Two summers ago she did a Broadway style camp and just stood on the stage for the final performance. Around people she knows she is too loud. Even in public she tends to talk so loud the people around us get to hear her often inane comments (lucky me). People who know her wouldn’t say she is shy but strangers who meet her see her shut down and stare at the floor until she can leave.

I thought acting camps might help but maybe that is the exact wrong thing for her since that’s where I would send a child who loves to perform. It’s two weeks long, should I put her in?? Any btdt experience?

[Anonymous]

How old is she? Is she open to the idea?

I think in general, exposure to social/performance situations can help shy kids. However, you don't want it to be too overwhelming to start. I have a shy 7yo, and while we do a lot of things to build her confidence in terms of social/extracurricular activities, I might start with a week if she were open to it, and only a camp where the kids aren't already like little professionals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is she? Is she open to the idea?

I think in general, exposure to social/performance situations can help shy kids. However, you don't want it to be too overwhelming to start. I have a shy 7yo, and while we do a lot of things to build her confidence in terms of social/extracurricular activities, I might start with a week if she were open to it, and only a camp where the kids aren't already like little professionals.

+1 Or maybe enroll her in a once a week acting class and see how it goes (we just put my kid who has a fear of performing in a low-key acting class, and he's enjoying it, but it's a tiny class and many of the kids are younger than him, so he doesn't feel badly about his abilities).

[Anonymous]

I have a similar kid! How old is she? I have sent my 6 yr old DS to different drama camps, and he also has struggled with the performances. Imagination Stage handled it beautifully by giving him the option to perform or not. One class he decided to be the "stage manager" (had a clipboard with items to check off as they did them); and the other class he decided to participate in the skit (let me tell you, you have never seen a 6 year old as dedicated to the role of Squirtle as he was).

In general, I'd say the staff of all the acting camps we have tried have been super accommodating of this stuff. But, you'd probably want to avoid a camp where any big portion of the 2 weeks is dedicated to a final performance. The more information the final performance, the better.

[Anonymous]

Dd will turn 8 before this summer camp. I love the idea of playing squirtle, that sounds really cute and fun. I’m going to ask her about it without being “are you sure?” But more like “this looks fun and new, want to go?” She generally loves all the camps I just don’t know if I’m tossing her into something she will be panicked about.

She also runs a bit more immature than most kids (lots of baby talk, cuddling her friends, teachers, stuffed animals, random dogs). If anyone knows of a camp that might help her mature that would be good too? She does amazing in academics but immaturity and shyness has been her crutch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a similar kid! How old is she? I have sent my 6 yr old DS to different drama camps, and he also has struggled with the performances. Imagination Stage handled it beautifully by giving him the option to perform or not. One class he decided to be the "stage manager" (had a clipboard with items to check off as they did them); and the other class he decided to participate in the skit (let me tell you, you have never seen a 6 year old as dedicated to the role of Squirtle as he was).

In general, I'd say the staff of all the acting camps we have tried have been super accommodating of this stuff. But, you'd probably want to avoid a camp where any big portion of the 2 weeks is dedicated to a final performance. The more information the final performance, the better.

I’m a threate teacher who agrees with all of this! If you can find an acting class that focuses on the process in an ensemble, rather than the performance aspect, your DD might feel more comfortable.

By the way, Many, many actors are shy or socially anxious and find that having a script really helps them.

[Anonymous]

It depends on your daughter. If she's willing to give it a try (without being pressured into it), go for it. If she's not enthused, then it's not a good idea. Overcoming shyness comes from building self-confidence, not from being forced into situations that send your anxiety into overdrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a similar kid! How old is she? I have sent my 6 yr old DS to different drama camps, and he also has struggled with the performances. Imagination Stage handled it beautifully by giving him the option to perform or not. One class he decided to be the "stage manager" (had a clipboard with items to check off as they did them); and the other class he decided to participate in the skit (let me tell you, you have never seen a 6 year old as dedicated to the role of Squirtle as he was).

In general, I'd say the staff of all the acting camps we have tried have been super accommodating of this stuff. But, you'd probably want to avoid a camp where any big portion of the 2 weeks is dedicated to a final performance. The more information the final performance, the better.

I’m a threate teacher who agrees with all of this! If you can find an acting class that focuses on the process in an ensemble, rather than the performance aspect, your DD might feel more comfortable.

By the way, Many, many actors are shy or socially anxious and find that having a script really helps them.

Not OP, but does anyone know of any theater/musical camps like this, that don’t have a big emphasis on the performance aspect?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a similar kid! How old is she? I have sent my 6 yr old DS to different drama camps, and he also has struggled with the performances. Imagination Stage handled it beautifully by giving him the option to perform or not. One class he decided to be the "stage manager" (had a clipboard with items to check off as they did them); and the other class he decided to participate in the skit (let me tell you, you have never seen a 6 year old as dedicated to the role of Squirtle as he was).

In general, I'd say the staff of all the acting camps we have tried have been super accommodating of this stuff. But, you'd probably want to avoid a camp where any big portion of the 2 weeks is dedicated to a final performance. The more information the final performance, the better.

I’m a threate teacher who agrees with all of this! If you can find an acting class that focuses on the process in an ensemble, rather than the performance aspect, your DD might feel more comfortable.

By the way, Many, many actors are shy or socially anxious and find that having a script really helps them.

Not OP, but does anyone know of any theater/musical camps like this, that don’t have a big emphasis on the performance aspect?

Many of the Imagination Stage camps are like this. They have a “sharing” at the end, but the focus is on the process & technique. Look at the 1-week half-day camps.

(Disclosure: I used to work there, but haven’t for a few years. Still a big fan.)

[Anonymous]

Traveling Players Ensemble - most kids who attend want the biggest and best roles. She will be able to do as much as she is comfortable with. They are also great at supporting kids at all levels of performing abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on your daughter. If she's willing to give it a try (without being pressured into it), go for it. If she's not enthused, then it's not a good idea. Overcoming shyness comes from building self-confidence, not from being forced into situations that send your anxiety into overdrive.

+1 I would have hated being forced into a camp like this!!!