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Youtheatre Academy

July 17-21, 2023

Are you ready to step up your game and become a true triple threat? Are you willing to give it your all and raise your acting, singing, and dancing skills to the next level? 

Join us this year for our Heroes and Villains-themed Academy, where campers will act, sing and dance their way through some of Broadway’s most iconic songs and show-stopping numbers!

Youtheatre Academy is a program designed as a high energy filled intensive, one-week day camp that will focus on improving the young actor’s theatre skills. Working with a staff of talented professional and local teaching artists, young actors will participate in small and large group settings to improve their craft, increase performance confidence, and present an end of Academy showcase featuring repertoire from Broadway musicals.

Register Here!

 

Camp Specifics:

  • The Camp is open to rising 6-12 graders
  • Camp will be 9 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday
  • Camp is from 1:00 p.m. to end of performance on Friday.      
  • End of Camp Performance will be at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21. All General Admission Seats are $10.  Tickets will go on sale Monday, July 17.
  • Everyone participating in the camp MUST be available for ALL camp activities and performance.
  • A pizza party will be provided on Friday for all students.
  • A limited number of scholarships are available based upon financial need.  
  • Tuitions are non-transferable.
  • MCPA reserves the right to cancel any camp; refunds are made for cancellation.
  • 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.

 

Your Camp Teaching Artists

Ashley Cambers, Acting

Ashley Cambers is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received her M.A. in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities from New York University. As a multi-passionate creative, Ashley believes in the importance of the arts and enjoys directing children's theatre in Northwestern Ohio. Her TYA play, "George and the Hidden Dragon," was featured in the 2021 CATCO New Works Festival. She is a veteran of the Michigan Army National Guard and is a member of SAG-AFTRA and the Dramatists Guild.

Dani H S

Dani Hummel-Sass, Music

Dani Hummel-Sass, mezzo-soprano is a performing and teaching artist living in Tiffin, OH. She maintains active voice and piano studios in Seneca, Hancock, and Ottawa Counties. Mx. Hummel-Sass performs regularly in Cleveland and the areas surrounding Tiffin, as well as serving as director and music director for local theatres, universities, and youth organizations. She is originally from Pennsylvania but most recently San Francisco, where she took an 8-year break from the music industry to learn the art and science of midwifery. Mx. Hummel-Sass shares a loving home with her spouse, her three children, and their cat, Franzl.

Abigail Starcher

Abigail Starcher, Choreographer

Abigail Starcher is a graduate of The University of Findlay with a BA in Theatre Performance and Social work with a certificate in Gender Studies. Abigail has been involved as a teaching artist with MCPA since 2018, teaching both theatre and various styles of dance. Outside of MCPA, Abigail has choreographed The Drowsy Chaperone and Little Shop of Horrors for Liberty Benton High School. When outside of the theatre, Abigail works as a licensed social worker.

 

Camp FAQs

What is a typical day at camp?

Monday through Thursday, July 17 - 20 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, July 21 – 1:00 P.M.- End of Showcase 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 class sessions 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 4:00 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, unless they are driving themselves to and from academy.   

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?

This is a week-long, highly intensive camp for students who have a background in the performing arts. Prior experience in the performing arts is highly encouraged for this camp. 

May parents/guardians watch the camp sessions?

We ask that parents/guardians do not stay during the camp day or enter classroom 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 showcase at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21. 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 student wears clothing and close-toed shoes in which they can move easily and comfortably. 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. Marathon Center for the Performing Arts 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 Box Office at 419.423.2787 ext. 100 if you have any questions. The Box Office is open weekdays from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

How do I register?

You can register for camps right here on this page! The MCPA Box 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.