Franklin School Slates Performing Arts Programs for Summer 2014; Summer Session Runs 6/30-8/22

This summer the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will offer a series of workshops and one-week camps, an eight-week session of voice, instrumental and dance classes, two ballet intensives and a SummerStage musical theater program. The summer session runs from June 30 to August 22, and registration is now underway.

FSPA's annual SummerStage musical theater program features a two-week format running from July 28-August 8 and is open to students in grades 3-12. The program culminates in an all-student production of Legally Blonde, The Musical, with younger SummerStage students (grades 3-8) featured in a separate cast. Auditions will be held by appointment and are for placement purposes only; all SummerStage students will be cast in the productions.

FSPA's roster of one-week performing arts camps includes Camp ProVoice, Jazz and Tap Camp, Choreography Camp, Broadway Camp and Acting Camp, as well as Little Gems Ballet Camp, Creative Kids Camp and Little Music School Experience for younger children. Creative workshops include Behind the Scenes, Rock Out, Up Your Game, Stepping Up and Vocal Styles.

For musical theater enthusiasts in Grades 1-6, Broadway Camp teaches vocals, choreography and scene work, with a chance to showcase skills in a final ensemble performance. Acting Camp teaches character development and improvisation and culminates in a one-of-a-kind presentation.

For young beginner dancers, Little Gems Ballet Camp (ages 5-8) teaches basic ballet positions, vocabulary, floor exercises and simple steps. Tap and Jazz Camp (grades 4-7) combines age- and level-appropriate dance education with a creative summer experience. FSPA will also offer two Summer Ballet Intensives: Summer Session I for the Young Dancers Division from June 30-July 11 and Summer Session II for the Pre-Professional Division from July 14-July 24.

For younger children, Creative Kids Camp will engage and entertain campers ages 5-7 with drama games, theater activities, singing, dancing and crafts. The youngest campers, ages 3-5, are invited to the summer Little Music School Experience with FSPA's Little Music School Director Kim Rezendes.

FSPA will also offer a series of 2- and 3-day workshops. Critically-acclaimed R&B singer April Hall will conduct a Vocal Styles workshop for ages 13-18, introducing students to jazz phrasing, scatting and improvisation, as well as microphone and performance techniques. Rock Out, for musicians of all levels, provides students with the opportunity to jam with talented area musicians and learn from well-known Boston professionals. A performance skills workshop, Up Your Game, will focus on audition techniques, presentation skills and developing or improving an audition binder, headshot/resume and audition wardrobe. Stepping Up will help dancers prepare for dance auditions, with work on technique, learning choreography, audition etiquette and presentation. Behind the Scenes will introduce students to the many details involved in bringing a production to the stage, including an overview of the technical and operational aspects of producing a show.

To register for performing arts camps, workshops, SummerStage, private lessons or classes, call FSPA at (508) 528-8668. For further information, including a summer session brochure with full program descriptions and dates, call or visit online at www.FSPAonline.com.