School classes soon will be ending and that means finding a variety of things to do for the kids and grandkids. Consider performing arts options for budding performers to augment the usual array of pool and beach visits and other water sports.
The Milton Theatre offers Summer Camps every year. Camps are intended to provide each child with the opportunity to learn the basics of what it means to be a true performer in the arts. Performers in the full day camp will continue perfecting their talents with daily workshops from the theater’s trained professionals. There is a $360 program fee (per camp). Options include Frozen Jr. Camp, My Son Pinnochio (Gepetto’s musical tale), and Lion King Jr.
In Rehoboth Beach, the Clear Space Theater offers several programs geared toward youths of various ages.
Broadway Bound Program is for students in grades K-8. Students, grouped by age and ability level in grades 1-8, rotate through 30-minute classes in Voice, Dance and Acting, within a 2-hour class meeting one day per week.Cost is $300.
Spotlight on Young Performers is designed for students who want to focus more specifically on a higher level of dramatic studies after completing our signature Broadway Bound program. Students are guided through the rehearsal process, putting together a production, and working as an ensemble in a fully staged junior production of a Broadway musical. The semester finishes with a weekend of public performances. The program is for advanced young performers in grades 4-12. Auditions are required.
Clear Space’s Summer Camp Intensive program began in 2004 to serve students of Sussex County, Delaware. Since then, thousands of students have participated. Each year, camps reach capacity early, so it’s important to reserve your child’s spot quickly.
Each Summer Camp Intensive is designed to give students a taste of life in a professional theatre. Mimicking the rehearsal and production process of Clear Space’s own summer repertory season, students will create and perform a live performance in one week. Five unique camps are offered: four highlighting great Broadway musicals adapted for young people, and one just for young people interested in acting (so singing genes required!). The cost is $400 per student.
Finally, the Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theater – located in the Lutheran Church of Our Savior on Bay Vista Road, also offers camps for kids during July and August. All camps, including film and theater camps, are held Monday through Friday from 9 am-3 pm. Film camps are held in July and theater camps are held in August.
The Rehoboth Summer Children’s Theater is celebrating its 43rd anniversary this year. Robin Hood is the featured show this summer.
Film camps are for youths ages 9 – 14. Camps cost $425. Theater camps are for youths 8 – 14. Cost is $395.
Whether your little one is performing or not, you can support the arts as they grow in a new generation–come to a Summer Program Show. Each camp gives its young thespians the opporunity to perform, and they’d love to have a great crowd there to cheer them on!
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Guest Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Ophrah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
