Camp Broadway Comes to the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre with SEUSSICAL and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, Aug 2014

Children across Central and South Central Texas have a chance to walk on the same stage that Roy Rogers, Trigger and Gene Autrey once did, adding their dreams to the storied boards of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre stage during Camp Broadway. Originally built for vaudeville shows and silent pictures, the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre has brought laughter, romance, music and drama to life on its stage, delighting San Antonio for 100 years and now will play host to Camp Broadway, a summer camp for aspiring artists and theater fans. The program is coming to San Antonio August 4-8 and children ages 10-17 are invited to take their turn in the spotlight.

Trained by the top theater professionals, all of whom are certified in their respective fields, camp participants have the opportunity to not only see what a Broadway show looks like, but participate in one as well. After a week of dancing, singing and learning, these stellar young performers put on the performance of their lives.

Camp Broadway features two shows put on by the talented teens and tweens: Seussical and Once on This Island. Both shows are considered junior productions, meaning that an existing musical or play has been edited to make the show child-friendly. To be rewritten into a junior production, one could remove songs, rewrite lyrics or even remove scenes. These productions are often used in schools, drama clubs and performance spaces. The show is often pared down to a shorter version, emphasizing company numbers, making them perfect for schools or camps and giving children the opportunity to perform a production suited for them.

Camp Broadway Details

Young performers of all skill levels are invited to join in on the fun as no prior experience is necessary. Campers will attend classes Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. The cost of the camp is $600 and Las Casas Foundation is offering need-based scholarships for the program. Overnight accommodations are not included in the registration price. The Sheraton Gunter is offering a package for those families with Camp Broadway attendees. Guests may book online through www.sheratongunter.com using the code "camp". Rooms are subject to availability.

For more information about Camp Broadway in San Antonio or Las Casas Foundation, visit www.lascasasfoundation.org, or follow Las Casas on Facebook at LasCasasFoundation or on Twitter, @LasCasasFDN.

About Las Casas Foundation - Funded through Foundation memberships, the generous support of donors, corporations and grants, Las Casas Foundation is dedicated to the development of the performing arts through education and scholarships, as well as the restoration and preservation of historic theatres. The Foundation hosts the annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition and offers a variety of educational initiatives and efforts to nurture and grow the performing arts. Recipient of the 2013 National Arts Star Award from the American Foundation For Arts Education in recognition of Las Casas Foundation's significant impact on arts education, the Foundation has awarded $485,000 in scholarship funds to deserving students in the field of performing arts since 2009. For more information, visit www.lascasasfoundation.org.