Hershey Area Playhouse Theatre Academy Sets Summer Drama Camps

Taught by instructors with experience in theatre and education, Hershey Area Playhouse Theatre Academy announces its 2016 Summer Drama Camps, the Performance Camp, running the weeks of June 13-17 and 20-24, and the Gardens Camp, running the weeks of July 18-22 and July 25-29.

As part of the Performance Camp, students will be able to participate in one of three sessions, depending on grade level. In the Kids Camp Jr - Storysoup session, students entering grades 1-3 will learn acting skills using a "storysoup" of music, creative drama, creative movement and storytelling to explore tales from many different times and cultures.

"This is a fast-paced session for early elementary children with an emphasis on developing imaginations and creativity," said Camp Director Cory Wilkerson.

In the Kids Camp - Call all Playwrights session, students entering grades 4-6 will learn to act by creating their own original production mash-up of monologues and short scenes from their favorite plays and literary works. The final student driven production is costumed and staged by our professional directors for a gala end of camp performance.

In the Studio & Scene Study - All the World's a Stage session, students entering grades 7-12 will explore scenes, monologues and improv to create their own action packed final performance based on great works. The resulting free form play will be costumed and staged for performance at the end of the session.

"The Studio & Scene session will place emphasis on text analysis, improvisational games, acting technique, voice and movement to help students stretch imaginations and learn audition skills," said Wilkerson.

All Performance Camp sessions will be held at the Playhouse, located at Sandhill Road and Cherry Drive, Hershey, the weeks of June 13-17 and 20-24, and will culminate with a 7 p.m. performance on June 24 at the Playhouse.

Through a partnership between the Playhouse and Hershey Gardens for a fourth summer, students entering grades 4-9 will be able to hone their acting, improvisational and theatrical combat skills at The Jungle Book drama camp, the weeks of July 18-22 and July 25-29. Monday camp sessions will be held at the Playhouse while Tuesday through Friday camp sessions will be held at the Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Road, Hershey.

This camp will culminate with a performance of an original version of The Jungle Book, written by local playwright, Jennifer Feldser. The performance will be staged at the amphitheater in The Children's Garden at the Hershey Gardens. Friends and family will be invited to attend this lunchtime performance on July 29. This popular camp has a registration limit and fills rapidly. Interested persons should apply online to reserve a spot.

More information on these summer drama camps, including registration information, is available under the "Theatre Academy" drop-down menu on the Playhouse's website, www.HersheyAreaPlayhouse.com.