Premiere Stages Announces Youth Theatre Camps for Summer 2012

Premiere Stages, the professional theatre in residence at Kean University, has announced that registration will begin on March 1st, 2012 for Premiere Stages two annual fun and engaging theatre camp sessions. "Let's Put on a Show" is tailored for middle school students and "Taking the Stage" is tailored for high school students. Premiere offers collaborative environments that allow campers to experiment with different acting and storytelling techniques and learn first-hand from industry professionals.

Session 1: "Let's Put on a Show" is a performance and story-telling camp for ages 11 – 14, and runs July 16th through July 27th, 2012. Students will learn the elements of acting and play development through innovative, active exercises and games that help them translate their creative ideas and impulses into fully conceptualized and mountable original performances for the stage. Working with professional actors, directors and playwrights in a fun, creative and collaborative environment campers will craft and star in their own showcase. This camp session culminates in a public performance of the campers' work developed over the two-week period, followed by a certificate presentation and reception for the participants. Camp runs Monday through Thursday from 10am - 2pm, and a final showcase will be performed on Friday, July 27th.

Session 2, "Taking the Stage" is an Acting Camp for ages 15-18, and runs July 23rd - August 3rd, 2012. Students focus on the craft of acting including scene work, audition technique, monologue preparation, movement and voice/speech. Students all have the chance to work closely with professional actors and directors, as well as guest artists in fields such as stage combat, casting and improvisation. Campers perform monologues as well as scenes from original plays that have been developed through the Premiere Stages Play Festival. This camp session culminates in a public performance of the monologues and scenes, followed by a certificate presentation and reception for the participants. Camp runs Monday through Thursday from 10am - 2pm and a final showcase will be performed on Friday, August 3rd.

The cost for each session is $295. Scholarships are available, with preference given to Union County residents. For more information or to request an application, please contact Clare Drobot, Producing Associate at cdrobot@kean.edu or 908-737-4092. Interested students should submit a completed registration form, along with a short "camp expectations" statement and a $25 application fee to Premiere Stages at Kean University. The fee ensures inclusion in the camp and serves as the initial tuition payment. Rolling registration will begin March, 1st and will continue through June 1st, but space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

More information and application forms are available online at www.kean.edu/premierestages. Premiere Stages is located at Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.

In addition to Camp Premiere, the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Musical Theater Conservatory classes and workshops will be held at Kean University in Union, New Jersey in cooperation with the Department of Theatre and its resident Equity theatre company, Premiere Stages.

Premiere Stages is made possible in part through funding from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, The Northfield Bank Foundation, The Westfield Foundation and through the generous support of patrons. Premiere Stages offers free or discounted tickets to patrons with disabilities. All Premiere Stages facilities are fully accessible spaces. Please call for a list of sign-interpreted, audio-described or open-captioned performances. Large print programs and assisted listening devices are available upon request.

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