Imagination Stage Summer Camps Begin 6/3

Imagination Stage (IStage) has always aimed to nurture the creativity in children. But with classes only up to age 18 and theatre performances only through the recommended age 12, at some point children graduate out of our offerings. However, this summer, several former campers will return to IStage summer camps as counselors to pass on what they learned in their IStage experiences to the next generation of artists.

Imagination Stage offers summer camps for ages 3.5 to 18 starting June 3, and running three full months, through August 30. Camps, ranging from 1 to 4 weeks in length, are offered in drama, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking at 3 locations in the DC-metro area. Full descriptions and registration information is available atwww.imaginationstage.org or by calling 301-280-1660.

The Imagination Stage approach to education is holistic. As Artistic Director Janet Stanford states, "While our mediums are acting, dance, voice, and filmmaking, our canvas is the whole child." We firmly believe that building creativity through the performing arts prepares our students to be successful in any field they choose. And that field varies far and wide.

Annually, Imagination Stage sees more than 80,000 children pass through its doors. Creativity is inherent in each of these children, but finding someone to help uncover, foster, and hone that creativity is critical. That's where our former students enter the scene. These individuals have experienced our pedagogy, believe in its philosophy, and have grown from what they learned at Imagination Stage.

Leanne Frenkel, a former Imagination Stage student and returning for her second summer as counselor, states, "The initial experience I had with Imagination Stage was what later motivated me to apply for a job as a summer theatre camp counselor. I wanted to inspire kids and help them find their passion the way I had." Frenkel is currently studying graphic design at the Virginia Commonwealth University, and will return to Imagination Stage this summer as a counselor for the Musical Theatre Production Camp for Grades 5-9. Frenkel continues, "I first fell in love with theatre while going to camp at Imagination Stage when I was just 11. The counselors and creative staff had an energy to them that really fed the environment and got me excited each day."

Transitioning from camper to counselor, Frenkel, originally from Olney, recalls, "Each day that I came to work I made sure to bring an enthusiasm that I felt would get kids fired up about camp and theatre. It felt so good to watch a change in some of these children, and know that I may have contributed to their excitement. I can't wait to return again this summer!" Frenkel will be joined by three other counselors who have previously been students at Imagination Stage.

Whether camper or counselor, Imagination Stage summer camps fulfill the organization's goal of not only informing children of the importance of the arts, but also nurturing and challenging each individual's creativity inside and outside the classroom.

Imagination Stage, also, offers over 100 other summer camp opportunities for students aged 3.5-18. For full camp information, please visit www.imaginationstage.org.

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