Photo Flash: Raven Theatre Announces TAKE FLIGHT SUMMER CAMP 2018 Programming

Raven Theatre is pleased to announce TAKE FLIGHT SUMMER CAMP 2018, featuring five training sessions in theatre arts for kids ages 6 - 16. Great for novice students looking to learn the basics of performance or more advanced actors looking to hone their skills, Raven's team of professional teaching artists will help kids feel the confidence to contribute to the artistic process and the courage to try something new.

Over the course of two weeks, campers will create their own theatrical adaptations inspired by classic and popular children's stories. Their original work will be performed for family and friends on the final day of camp. The program also includes a special one-week, half-day tech session focused on the basics of scenic, props, and lighting design.

Regular two-week sessions are held Monday - Friday from 9 am - 3 pm, with an option of extended daycare from 3 - 4 pm. The one-week tech session is heldMonday - Friday from Noon - 3 pm. All sessions are held at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St. (at Granville) in Chicago's Edgwater neighborhood.

To register, please visit www.raventheatre.com/education/camps. Special early bird discounts are available through March 31. For additional information, e-mail education@raventheatre.com or call (773) 571-3038. Progam fees: Tech Camp $300 ($50 early bird discount with code "Early50"). Session 1 - 4 $600 ($100 off with code "Early100"). Codes cannot be combined with other discounts.

TAKE FLIGHT SUMMER CAMP 2018 Sessions:

June 25 - June 29, 2018

SPECIAL SESSION: TECH CAMP

Dream It! Build It! (ages 11-16)

Teaching Artist: John Wilson

A special half-day camp that takes students behind the scenes with award-winning Chicago scenic designer John Wilson (and other special guest artists) to help create all the magical, mythical and intergalactic journeys students will go on this summer. Tech camp is a hands-on learning experience, where students will be introduced to the basic principles of scenic, props and lighting design while building scenic and prop elements for each of Raven's summer shows.

July 2 - 13, 2018

SESSION 1: ANCIENT QUESTS

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes: Jason & the Argonauts by Rick Riordan (ages 6-9)

Teaching Artist: Wesley Daniel

When word got out about the quest for the Golden Fleece, every greek hero wanted to go. Sure it would be dangerous, but this was the all-star event of a generation. It was the World Cup, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, an all-you-can-eat buffet of adventure. Percy Jackson provides an insider's view of Jason and his crew of epic heroes. Will they find the fleece that will tie the kingdom together?

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan (ages 10-14)

Teaching Artist: Mechelle Moe

Get your flaming spear, put on your lion skin cape and make sure you've got arrows in your quiver. We're going back four thousand years to battle monsters, save some kingdoms and raid the Underworld. Percy Jackson fills us in on all the daring deeds of Psyche, Hercules, Phaethon and the rest of the Greek heroes. Trust us, they boldly screwed up where no one had screwed up before!

July 16 - 27, 2018

SESSION 2: TWISTED TALES

Once Upon a Ninja based on the books by Corey Rosen Schwartz (ages 6-9)

Teaching Artist: Micah Figueroa

Why does this wolf think he can come to town and blow all the houses down? The three little pigs just aren't going to take it from that bully anymore! They train every day at the dojo with Little Red and the ninja chicks to master some serious karate moves to save the day. Practice makes perfect in these three fractured fairy tales: The Three Ninja Pigs, Ninja Red Riding Hood and Hansel & Gretel: Ninja Chicks. Will our unlikely heroes win? KIYA!

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer (ages 10-14)

Teaching Artist: Dana Murphy

No one is safe in the Land of Stories, where witches, goblins, elves and trolls run amuck. The Bailey twins leave their world behind and find themselves in this enchanting realm full of wonder and magic. They come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about, but can they make it home again?

July 30 - August 10, 2018

SESSION 3: FANTASTIC JOURNEYS

Oliver & The Seawigs by by Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre (ages 6-9)

Teaching Artist: Dana Murphy

Oliver's parents are missing at sea! And when he sets sail to find them, he meets some unexpected friends. There's a grumpy seabird, a nearsighted mermaid and even a living island! Oliver and his new crew are ready for mischief, mayhem and high-seas adventure... but can they outsmart a wicked captain and his army of sea monkeys in time to rescue Mom and Dad?

Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg (ages 10-14)

Teaching Artist: Max Fabian

Is it ever a good idea to leave two restless kids alone to their own devices for the afternoon? Especially when they stumble upon a mysterious and mystical board game? Boredom quickly turns to full on adventure, as the game's unimaginable powers magically transports them into the untamed jungles of Jumanji!

August 13 - 24, 21018

SESSION 4: AAAHHH!!!...IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!

The Bad Guys: Intergalactic Gas by Aaron Blabey (ages 6-9)

Teaching Artist: Mechelle Moe

They sound like the Bad Guys, they look like the Bad Guys and they even smell like the Bad Guys... but Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake and Mr. Shark are about to change all of that! Will the Bad Guys become the Good Guys? The world is ending and they have a chance to save it! But seriously, how BAD can it be? How bad?! SUPER BAD.

The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier & Douglas Holgate (ages 10-14)
Teaching Artist: Max Fabian

Ever since the monster apocalypse hit town, average 13-year-old Jack Sullivan has been living in his tree house, which he's armed with catapults and a moat, not to mention video games and an endless supply of Oreos and Mountain Dew. But Jack alone is no match for the hoards of Zombies, Winged Wretches and the big bad Blarg. So Jack teams up with his friends to slay the monsters, achieve the ultimate Feat of Apocalyptic Success and be average no longer! Can he do it with a little help from his friends?

About Raven Theatre

Raven Theatre tells stories of today and the past that connect us to our cultural landscape. Through its plays as well as its educational programming, Raven is committed to serving our communities' needs through the arts.

Raven Theatre Company is funded in part by the Alphawood Foundation, Dramatists Guild Fund, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, Polk Bros. Foundation, The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development, S&C Electric, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the PAV Fund and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

PHOTO CREDIT: Raven Theatre's TAKE FLIGHT SUMMER CAMP. Photo by Dana Murphy