St. Petersburg, FL – There are a ton of summer camp options in Pinellas this year. Here’s why parents can count on the American Stage Summer Camp to bring the magic of the stage into their lives.
“While a theatre summer camp can be a wildly fun time, there are fundamental skills to be learned in a theatre arts education environment; such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and literary comprehension,” said American Stage teacher, education associate and local actor John Perez.
Camp groups are separated into groups of kids in the age groups for K-2, 3-5, and 6-12. Each week tackles a different theme, ranging from musical theatre, to puppets, to improv.
The camp runs June 5 - August 4 on a weekly basis out of American Stage's downtown location [163 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg). Teaching artists are hands on with students 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pre-care is available an hour before camp starts (8 a.m.), and aftercare is available for two hours after (5 p.m.).
"Typically everyone's a little "shy" the first day, but we thrive on creating safe educational spaces. To learn we must all take a chance, try something new, or maybe do something we've never done. Taking chances builds confidence no matter the outcome; it's a learning experience. It doesn't take long for "The Shy Kid" to be taking Center-Stage,” said American Stage Drama School teacher Jemier Jenkins.
These kids bloom, and they also learn valuable life lessons.
Kids who are enrolled in theatre extracurriculars are more empathetic people, because they are constantly learning to react to their peers and muse emotions that aren’t always accessed in day to day life.
It’s also true that kids involved in the arts and theatre community are great readers. Reading and comprehending a script is no easy task, but when our groups are having fun, on-the-page comprehension skills
Another thing that some kids aren’t always challenged to do in day to day life? Taking risks.
American Stage development fellow, actor, and current drama school student Marygrace McManus was a part of a theatre group for children when she attended middle school in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Theatre camp is my first memory of a welcoming and safe space. I learned to connect with other kids, and be bold in an encouraging space. Even if you don't follow theatre down that career path, you get a better understanding (without even realizing it) of emotional intelligence, public speaking, and what it means to play," McManus said.
Even or young people who don’t go on to pursue the arts in their career - the emotional risks and artistic expression that they’ll naturally fall into are huge
“I don’t think I would be who I am today without doing theatre as a kid,” McManus said.
After all, behind every talented drama kid, there is an adult who believes in them.
American Stage offers weekly financial aid for summer campo in increments of 25%, 50$, 75%, and 100% off. Applications are accepted up to the week before, and American Stage reserves 20% of its summer camp class space for financial aid students.
PRESS OPPORTUNITIES
Members of the press who would like to do a segment on American Stage Summer Camp can contact the Abby Baker at abaker@americanstage.org
About American Stage Summer Camp 2023, June 5 - August 4, 2023
- Camp hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- The cost for a 1-week session is $275, and includes one American Stage Camp T-Shirt.
- 1-week of Pre-Care is $40; Individual days can be purchased for $10/day. Pre-Care starts at 8 a.m.
- 1-week of After-Care is $70; Individual days can be purchased for $20/day. After-care begins after pick up ends, through 5:00 p.m.
Camp Themes:
Grades K-2
Little Rascals: Got Jokes? We’re Zany to the Max! Discover your comedic voice in this week-long series filled with hilarious hijinks, fun games, and bold characters.
Get On Your Feet! Get up and make it happen in this musical course! Join us as this session will explore music and performance fundamentals through favorites of ‘Vivo’, ‘Encanto’ AND MORE!
Galactic Heroes: Journey through Space Calling all junior Guardians of the Galaxy & Mandalorians-in-training! In this session, students will learn how to work as a team to create an imaginative & unique story of Galactic Heroes!
Once Upon a Time: Disney Heroes & Royalty In this session inspired by the House of Mouse, we will explore the stories, themes, and music of a variety of Disney classics. Whether their story begins with “Once Upon a Time” or “To Infinity and Beyond!” we’re sure everyone will find something they enjoy!
Mystical Tales of Magical Creatures Fantastic beasts? We got ‘em! Where to find them? Right here in this camp session! In this magic-filled adventure, students will use their imaginations, bodies, and voices to create unique creatures and characters to tell their own story with!
Muppet Madness!: Creating your Own Characters "The mind of a child is a beginner's mind and, for them, every idea is fresh, stimulating and leads somewhere special and surprising." - Kermit the Frog. In this session, students will learn fundamental puppetry construction, and use their bodies, voices, and imagination to bring their unique character to life!
Exploring World Wonders Bailamos! Balliamo! Lass uns tanzen! This week-long dance party is GLOBAL! In this session, students will learn about a variety of musical and dance stylings from various cultures around the world.
Little Detectives A mystery is afoot! Will the mystery be solved in time? Will we be able to crack the case? Elementary, my dear! In this week-long session, students will discover their inner super-sleuth and work together to craft an original, mystery story!
Grades 3-5
Laugh Factory Learn through laughter! Students will explore genres of comedy like satire, word play, character-based, and physical comedy. Guaranteed to be hilarious, boost confidence, and fun for all levels of experience.
LIN-sanity! The Songs of Lin-Manuel Miranda Discover the rich cultural contributions of songwriter and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda Students will not only perform some of their favorite show stopping numbers from Vivo, Encanto and more, but explore the cultures that his work highlights, and gain a greater appreciation for new people, places and things.
Heroes, Assemble! Heroic Movement & Stage Combat KA-POW! Have you ever wondered how some of your favorite fight scenes and stage combat moments come together? In this movement based session, students will learn the fundamentals of stage combat in a safe, imaginative environment. They will also create their own unique heroic characters with moves that everyone can marvel at.
Disney Icons: Heroes & Villains More than jokes and witty banter, some of Disney’s most memorable tales live on in our hearts! In this week-long intensive, students will explore the entire Disney universe, as well as the structure of both the heroes AND villains journeys.
The Sorcerer's Apprentices This session is perfect for artists who enjoy coloring outside the lines. In this session, students will craft characters that boldly go where no child has gone before! Wizards, Sorcerers, and Magic, OH MY!
A Whole New World: Set, Props, and Puppets! Students will unleash their creativity, and physical performance styles as they learn the fundamentals to puppetry construction, various crafting, and performance.
Exploring World Wonders Space, Sea, and Time have known no bounds. In this section, students will learn how to collaborate to create an imaginative & unique story of Epic Proportions. We endeavor to guide students throuh the creation of unique and transformative characters.
A Night at The Museum Mystery Unleash your inner detective and dive into a week-long mystery-solving session. This session will put curious future sleuths to the test! Young actors will explore suspenseful scene-work, and learn the elements and secrets of the mystery-theater genre.
Grades 6-12
Comedy Olympics: Improv Teams CALLING ALL IMPROVISERS! Combining comedy and physical theater, this session invites students to create their own comedy scenes and sketches while on teams! Students will also explore a variety of comedy formats, all to strengthen their skills in this friendly-competition inspired session!
Unsolved Mysteries of Nevermore Academy Creepy? Kooky? Haunted? Spooky? We think you’re going to love it here. Join us for this ‘Wednesday’-inspired session where we devise our own mysteries and create our own characters within the world of Nevermore Academy.
Shakespeare Storytelling not only unites communities, it transcends time… “Classics are always in style.” In this 3 week intensive, students will explore the languae of William Shakespeare through the exploration of rhyme with a contemporary flair by putting up a full, one-act production of a classic Shakespeare piece.
Musical Theatre Performance The workshop will explore the best practices for musical theater performance. Students will discuss theory and concepts to enhance their “Actor’s Toolbox”, giving young artists the opportunity to learn and grow by bringing musical stories to life. This 3-week session will culminate in putting up a full, one-act production of a musical.
About American Stage
American Stage Theatre has operated as a non-profit 501(C)(3) in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida, providing live theatrical productions as a professional regional equity theatre since 1977. As Tampa Bay’s longest-running, most critically acclaimed professional theatre company, its vision is to be a vital arts leader, connecting its community to world-class productions that celebrate the most powerful stories of the moment and the most defining stories from our past.
American Stage’s year-round accessible programming brings the power of quality live theatre to each generation. American Stage believes that through the telling of dynamic stories, the theatre has the power to unite us in our shared experiences and to deepen our connection to one another through the illumination of diverse perspectives.
Powerful Stories. Boldly Told.
Learn more about American Stage at AmericanStage.org