Free Family Day Open House at Steel River
The Vagabond Performing Arts Academy at Steel River Playhouse will hold a Summer Camp Open House on June 24 from noon to 2 p.m. Those attending the event can meet camp counselors; take mini camps in improv, acting and special skills, tour the theater, and register for summer camps, which begin during the second week of July. Camp directors Phil Ballantine and Chelsea Burnett return for their second year working as co-leaders. Joining them are a team of theater practitioners from the West Chester University theater program. Students attending the event will receive a $30 discount if they register for camp on the day of the open house!
Students attending the open house will also meet Russell Ferrara at the Open House. Russell will share his love of ukulele with students and encourage them to begin a life long habit — playing an instrument! Group Guitar and Ukulele begins a 10-week summer class series on June 28, and will run from 6 to 7 p.m. each week. Students will be taught to play the ukulele, the guitar, or both — based on their preference.
Session one runs July 10 through 21. This Variety Show camp combines drama, music and special skills so that both singers and non-singers can follow a path they will enjoy during camp. Creation of an original Variety show will culminate in a comedic and music filled performances at the end of camp. Session two runs July 24 to Aug. 4. The original Musical Theater Production Camp will focus on cultural themes exploring the world’s fairy and folk tales. A musical theater camp (singing, dancing, acting) end with a bright, colorful original theatrical presentation at the end of camp. Session three runs August 10 to 17, and features all Original One Acts! During this drama day camp, students work on writing original one acts which they then produce and perform on the last evening of the last day of camp. The camp focuses on various theatrical skills that will enhance the stories created by the students. Potential skills to receive focus are: improvisation skills, stage combat, on camera and on stage acting techniques and much more! A one act play festival will be presented at the end of camp.
“We love presenting our final shows to other community camps and groups,” says Education Director Aileen McCulloch about the summer camp program. “So, community organizations interested in attending the Friday show as part of our educational outreach program are encouraged to reach out to our education department by emailing education@steelriver.org.” Seats will be provided to community groups on a first come/first served basis. Parents are also invited to come for the Friday show, though as special family night is held each final Thursday of camp.
Russell Ferrara’s “It’s SUMMER - You’ve got time now to learn the Guitar and/or Ukulele!” workshop will run Wednesday evenings for ten weeks starting June 28 and running through the end of August. Ferrara works at the level of each student in a fun group atmosphere and is happy to work around summer vacations. Students will end the summer playing tunes around the campfire at your end of summer parties! Cost for the workshop is $110 for the full summer.
Class culminates with an in-class recital during the last class session. For more information about camps, summer workshops, or the theater’s ongoing array of private lessons, email The Vagabond Performing Arts Academy at Steel River Playhouse at education@steelriver.org.