Queens Theatre to Host Showstoppers, Summer Musical Theatre Program for Kids, 7/21-8/15

Queens Theatre (QT) is proud to announce the launch of their first annual Summer Musical Theatre Program for kids ages 7 to 14 - SHOWSTOPPERS ! In just two weeks, rising young stars will create and perform an original pocket-sized musical play. The Theatre's program takes students through the entire of process of creating a musical play from auditions to writing and rehearsing, culminating in a performance on their Mainstage. SHOWSTOPPERS Summer Musical Theatre Program begins July 21st and runs through August 15th at Queens Theatre (14 United Nations Avenue South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, NY 11368). More information is available on the theatre's website queenstheatre.org.

Working with Queens Theatre's professional and dynamic teaching artists, students will engage their imaginations, study the process of theatre and work together as an ensemble to put on a production of their own design during this exciting and comprehensive summer experience. Queens Theatre's SHOWSTOPPERS Summer Musical Theatre Program is open to all kids, ages 7 to 14. No experience in the performing arts is needed to join in the fun. Acceptance into the program is on a first-come, first-served basis. Auditions for roles will take place once the session has begun.

The primary program hours are 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. They are offering two 2-week sessions. Queens Theatre provides early drop off beginning at 9 AM as well as an extended day from 3:30 PM to 6 PM. Discounts are available for purchasing multiple sessions and for enrolling siblings.

Check out Queens Theatre's website, queenstheatre.org, for more details and information on pricing.

Queens Theatre employs actively working theatre professionals with extensive backgrounds in both performance and youth performing arts instruction. They are veterans of respected arts education organizations such as Story Pirates, O'Neill Theatre Center and Arts Connection. At the beginning of each session, the students are given a theme from which they will create their scripts. The theatre's director/choreographer will lead the students in the creation of the script and the dance while the theatre's musical director adds a kid-friendly song taken from a Broadway or movie musical. At the end of each session, the students take the stage and perform their fully realized musical play for family and friends.

Queens Theatre's Director of Education Richard Hinojosa says "Our summer program is all about the journey. It's an experience that the kids will remember and draw from for the rest of their lives."

QT is now one of the borough's leaders in arts education, bringing performing arts classes and experiences to Queens schoolchildren-both at QT and in the schools. As a partner in the NYC DCA Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA) program, QT has conducted theatre education courses in 83 schools since 2006 and will conduct 8 more in 2014. Our Bank of America Student Matinee Series brings 2,000 students to special performances of our Mainstage shows (free of charge), and a talkback with artists after the performances.