Young Performers Theater Camp - 2009

This Camp is filled for 2009

THE YOUNG PERFORMERS THEATER CAMP is a performing arts camp for children, ages 9 through 18, who have an expressed interest in the theater and related arts.  Children will be required to choose a major (Dance or Musical Theater).  Dance majors will receive instruction and stage experience in DANCE (ballet, tap, modern, & jazz).  Musical Theater majors will receive instruction and stage experience in VOCAL MUSIC (solo and/or group singing, harmony, & music theory), DRAMA (acting techniques, improvisation, stage movement, & speech), and DANCE (creative movement & choreography for their particular show).  Senior Musical Theater Majors (ages 15-18) will participate in either a playwriting or stagecraft workshop; also, a Shakespeare Festival Workshop.
   
There will be several productions at YPTC in 2009.  All Dance majors will perform in a full-scale dance recital.  Musical Theater majors will perform in one of three productions, The Pirates of Penzance (ages 15-18), Thoroughly Modern Millie (ages 13-14) , The Wizard of Oz (ages 9-12).

LOCATION
The camp will be held at the Annenberg Center on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, 3680 Walnut Street. We will also make use of the Platt Student Performing Arts House and the Iron Gate Theater for class instruction. Both are within walking distance of the Annenberg Center. All performances will be held at the Annenberg Center.  This is a great opportunity for young performers to rehearse and perform in a professional space.

CAMP DATES & TIMES
The camp will run from Monday, July 6th through Monday, August 17th. (Six weeks, Monday through Friday from 9 AM - 2 PM; Children taking the camp bus will arrive at camp by 9 AM. Any child who comes to camp on his/her own must report by 9 AM.  If a child is late for camp on more than one occasion, a guardian must come to camp to meet with the camp director before that child can be allowed back in camp.  There will be a parent orientation on Monday, June 22nd for Dance Majors & on Tuesday, June 23rd for Musical Theater Majors at Waterview Recreation Center at 6:30 PM so that the parents can meet our staff, ask questions about camp, pay fees, and pick up materials needed for camp.  At least one parent or guardian must attend.  This meeting is mandatory!  Your child will not be admitted into camp unless an adult attends this meeting!

AGE GROUPS
The Young Performers Theater Camp will be open to boys & girls between the ages of 9 and 18.  Campers must be 9 years old before July 1st, 2009.  After auditions, campers will be divided into groups based on age and experience.

TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation with designated pickup points at selected recreation centers around the city will be available for all campers.

In order to keep the time on the bus to a minimum, the bus will only stop at the selected recreation centers.  The total cost for six weeks of bus service is $150.00.  Bus service is optional, but if you choose to use the camp bus service, it is the camper's responsibility to be at the assigned pickup site at the proper time.  If you choose not to use the camp bus service, it is the responsibility of the camper to be at camp no later than 9AM. More than two incidents of lateness may result in expulsion from the camp. 

Click here to see Bus Schedule

CAMP FEES
1) The tuition for the six-week encampment is  $180.00.  A money order, payable to CITY OF PHILADELPHIA - PERFORMING ARTS, is due by the parent orientation meeting (June 22nd for Dance Majors and June 23rd for Musical Theater Majors).

2) There will be an additional camp registration fee of $120.00.  A money order for the $120.00 registration fee should be made payable to C.A.S.E. ADVISORY COUNCIL.  This fee pays for t-shirts, DVDs, Phillies tickets, and may be used to help defray the cost of costumes for the various performances.  However, dancers in the program may need to purchase additional items (i.e. shoes and/or unitards).

3) If your child chooses to utilize our optional bus service, a money order for $150.00 should be made payable to C.A.S.E. ADVISORY COUNCIL. 

You do not need to send the camp fees with your application.

All fees are due at parent orientation.

LUNCHES
Lunches and beverages will be provided to all campers.  Campers may also bring their own lunch to camp but will not be permitted to purchase lunch at camp.

AUDITIONS
Only new applicants to the Young Performers Theater Camp (YPTC) will be required to audition for the camp.  Each applicant should audition in his/her area of interest - Dance or Musical Theater. If a prospective camper has more than one area of interest, he/she should audition for the area in which they feel most confident.  Remember, not all applicants will be accepted, so please come prepared to the audition.

To audition for dance, the dancers will be required to learn a series of dance combinations taught at the audition.  Dancers will then perform the combinations in small groups for their audition.  Please wear appropriate dancewear.

To audition for musical theater, you must bring sheet music (no tapes!) and sing with the piano (an accompanist will be provided).  You will not be required to sing an entire song.  One or two verses are sufficient.  You must also prepare a   monologue, no longer than one minute, for the audition.  Auditions will be held at the Waterview Recreation Center @ 5826 McMahon Street; 19144 (Rittenhouse & McMahon Sts.).  The audition dates for new campers will be be announced. Times will be from 6:00 - 9:30PM.  However, you must have an appointment. A representative from the Performing Arts Office will contact you with the exact date and time of your audition after receiving the application and recommendation.  Returning campers do not need to audition.

WHO SHOULD APPLY
This is a camp for children and young adults who have a real interest in performing arts!   If your child is not committed for the entire six weeks of the camp, it will be apparent to us by their behavior in the first few weeks of camp.  If a child becomes a behavior problem, we reserve the right to remove them from camp with no refund.  This is a policy of the Recreation Department, so please make sure your child wants to be in camp.

HOW TO APPLY

To attend this camp, an application must be filled out.

To download an application as a PDF File, Click here.

To request an application please contact Tom Dignam at 215-685-2217 or write to him at the following address.

Philadelphia Recreation Department
1515 Arch Street, 10th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Attention: Performing Arts Office

OR

Fax to 215-685-2218

or send an e-mail to tom.dignam@phila.gov

New campers must have a recommendation from a teacher, counselo, recreation leader or religious leader. Click here for a printable Recommendation Form

New campers must also submit a letter of recommendation and a copy of their birth certificate with their completed application.  (Returning campers need to send a completed application only).  New campers will be called about their audition date.  If you have any questions, you can call the Performing Arts Office at 215-685-2217.