Performing Arts Camp

July 8-12, 2024 for Grades 1-8 (as of the 2024-2025 School Year)

Register here!

 

Enjoy a week of fun with Youtheatre! During this week-long day camp, you will work with professional local teaching artists to learn about the performing arts while staging a production of the musical Space Pirates for our community to enjoy. In addition, you will participate in age-appropriate performing arts workshops such as creative dramatics, acting, movement, music, improvisation and theatre games led by local teaching artists.3_Space-Pirates---Full---MEDIUM.jpg

Plan to attend a public performance of the musical Space Pirates starring the camp participants.  The performance is on Friday, July 12 at 5:30 pm.  General Admission tickets are $10 and go on sale beginning July 8. Tickets are also available at the door a half hour prior to the performance.

 

Camp Specifics:

  • The Camp is open to rising 1-8 graders (as of 2024-2025 School Year).
    • Grades 1 & 2: 15 spots
    • Grades 3-8: 45 spots
  • Camp is 9 am to 3 pm Monday – Thursday, from 1 pm until after the performance on Friday.
  • Everyone participating in the camp MUST be available for ALL camp activities and performances.
  • Auditions will be held on Monday (no preparation required) with rehearsals and workshops throughout the week. All costumes and make-up are provided. 
  • Each camper is expected to bring their own nutritious lunch Monday through Thursday.   Pizza will be provided on Friday. Please be aware that in order to serve as many students as possible, we have implemented a NO NUT rule, and we cannot refrigerate or heat lunches.  
  • Cost is $200 per camper for the week.
  • A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available based on financial need.  
  • MCPA reserves the right to cancel any camp; refunds are made for cancellation.
  • There will be no refunds given after June 1, 2024. Cancellations before the refund deadline will be honored with a full refund, minus a $25 administration fee.

Camp FAQs

What is a typical day at camp?

Monday through Thursday, July 8 - 12 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday, July 12 – 1:00 P.M. - End of Camp Performance

Students arrive at camp between 8:45 and 9 a.m. (12:45-1:00 p.m. on Friday) and sign in with the counselors before joining their group. After morning meeting and warm-ups, campers and their counselors go to rehearsals and workshops taught by our theatre education professionals.

We have two snack breaks throughout the day and a lunch break. Snacks and lunch are not provided. The camp day concludes at 3:00 p.m.

Just a reminder that your child MUST be able to attend ALL of the workshops, rehearsals, and performances for the week.  No exceptions (except in the case of a medical or family emergency).

What are the pick-up and drop-off procedures?

All information will be emailed to families prior to camp starting. Anyone picking up a child from camp must be authorized to do so on the child’s paperwork. Students will not be permitted to leave camp with anyone who is not authorized in advance.

Parent/guardian MUST sign campers in and out each day. 

Are lunch or snacks provided?

We do not provide snacks or lunch to campers.  Please be aware that in order to serve as many students as possible, we have implemented a NO NUT rule, and we cannot refrigerate or heat lunches.

We have two snack breaks throughout the day and a lunch break.

Who teaches camp?

Our teachers are theatre professionals with years of experience and a strong focus on education.

Does my child need acting experience to attend camp?

All children of any experience level are welcome. Our professional teachers adjust class material based on the students’ levels of experience.

Why do you group students based on grade level instead of experience?

Regardless of previous acting experience, we group students by age. It is our philosophy that students remain with their age peers, and the instructor can adjust teaching styles based on experience within the groups.

May parents/guardians watch the camp sessions?

We ask that parents/guardians do not stay during the camp day or enter classroom/rehearsal spaces while camp is in progress. Students are less inhibited and feel more confident when adults other than the teachers are not in the room.

Is there a performance at the end of camp?

Yes. There will be a performance at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 14. General Admission Seats are all $10.

Clothing

This is a movement-based camp, and all classes will require campers to be able to move around safely. Please ensure that your child wears clothing and close-toed shoes in which they can move easily and comfortably. They may be moving around, sitting on the floor, learning choreography and using craft supplies or paint. In movement and acting classes, the campers often sit and lay on the floor while they stretch and play with character movement and breathing practices. Please make sure that if skirts or wide-legged shorts are worn, leggings or under-skirt shorts accompany them so that campers are covered during those activities. If a camper comes in a skirt or wide-legged shorts without leggings or under-skirt shorts, we will have to call and ask for a pair of leggings or under-skirt shorts to be brought to camp.

Clothing NOT permitted includes:

  • Jeans
  • Open-toed sandals
  • Sagging pants

Footwear

All shoes must have a back on them and be closed-toed. We highly recommend tennis shoes, but other soft-soled shoes are okay as well. Dance shoes are not necessary for camp but welcome for those who have them and would like to wear them.

Footwear NOT permitted includes:

  • Flip-flops, crocs or other loose sandals
  • High heels
  • Tap shoes
  • Wheelies

If any of the above are worn to camp, we will have to call and ask for another pair of shoes to be brought to camp. The activities require secure footwear for safe participation.

Outside Toys and Technology

All electronics, toys and valuable items should be kept at home. MCPA is not responsible for any lost, broken or stolen items. Please make sure that your child’s name is clearly marked on everything they bring – lunch bag, water bottle, jackets, etc. 

Behavior

We subscribe to a positive discipline model of behavior management at MCPA. If campers are participating in disruptive behavior, our instructors and counselors first use positive reinforcement and redirection to help them identify what is causing the behavior and then figure out strategies for making better choices.

In cases where the behavior continues, the following steps are taken. These are also shared with the campers on the first day of camp after going over the rules and expectations for camp:

  1. Warning
  2. Sit out from the activity
  3. Conversation with the camp’s teaching artists
  4. Speak with a member of the camp leadership team
  5. Call home/Conversations with parents or guardians
  6. Removal from camp

In cases where camp staff are concerned that the behavior of a camper is harmful to themselves, other campers, staff or their surroundings, steps may be bypassed to address the situation.

 

Registration FAQs

Who should I contact with additional questions?

Craig VanRenterghem, Education Director, education@mcpa.org

What do I do if a camp session is full when I register?

Please email education@mcpa.org to be placed on the waiting list.

What is the refund policy?

There will be no refunds given after June 1, 2023. Cancellations before the refund deadline will be honored with a full refund, minus a $25 administration fee.

Do you offer scholarships?

Full- and partial-tuition scholarships are available to students who can demonstrate financial need. Scholarships are limited, and awards will be determined based on need. Please email Craig VanRenterghem, education@mcpa.org for more details.

What happens after I register?

A confirmation email will be sent to you within 72 hours of registration, reserving your child’s place in the camp. You will receive an informational email one month before the start of camp with additional information. If you have any questions or you do not receive your order confirmation, please contact the Education Director education@mcpa.org.

Is payment required with registration?

Yes. Payment must be received at the time of registration in order to hold a place for your child in the camp. Please call the Ticket Office at 419.423.2787 if you have any questions. The Ticket Office is open M-F from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

How do I register?

You can register for camps right here on this page! The MCPA Ticket Office is available at 419.423.2787 ext. 100, weekdays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. to answer questions. You may register for camp online and in person only.