Photo Flash: Theatre Students in China Have Fun on Stage this Summer in Educational Theatre Camps

Beijing Academy of Performing Arts, the educational theatre program of Beijing Playhouse, successfully completed three educational shows this summer. Theatre students performed Snow White on July 15, Three Musketeers on July 29 and Alice in Wonderland on August 12.

In addition to acting, students learned music and dance. They wrote some of their own songs and choreographed some of their own dances. They also designed and created their own costumes, painted their own sets and constructed their own props.

"We concentrate on the learning process. While all our camps end with a show, the show is not the point. The educational process of getting there is the mission. We enjoy seeing children grow and learn," said Beijing Academy of Performing director Jehanne Fima.

"We have seen her improvements in all aspects. Your team and this programs are the best in all detail," said Alan Guo, father of six year old student Daisy Guo. Daisy played a dwarf in Snow White, a guard in Three Musketeers, and the butterfly in Alice in Wonderland. "I believe what you have done is making our kid to be different."

"Our summer kids theatre camps take place at Harrow International School. Beijing Playhouse is proud to partner with Harrow because we both share the common mission of quality education. When it comes to teaching theatre to children, it's not about the show at the end, it's about the educational journey to get there," said BAPA executive director Chris Verrill.

Six directors and six teaching assistants from Beijing Playhouse main stage shows teach eight classes every day. Some classes are 30 students, many are 5 or 10 students, some classes are one on one. Student teacher ratio of 3:1.

"Mavis enjoyed her summer camp very much. She learned how to play made new friends. Looking forward to joining next camp," said Melanie Mou, Mavis Bai's mother. Mavis played the part of a dog in Alice in Wonderland. Mavis's art was also selected as the cover art for the show program.

Will Aylmer also played a dog in Alice in Wonderland. His mother Poppy Aylmer said, "Excellent theatre camp. The staff teaching are all very talented and committed."

In a parents' survey after the summer shows, 100% of parents surveyed recommend Beijing Playhouse kids camps. On a scale of 1 to 5, all parents rated the camp a 4 or 5. Beijing Academy of Performing Arts did their first educational kids theatre camp in 2007 and is the longest running educational theatre camp program in China.

For more information about educational children's theatre programs in China, contact Beijing Playhouse atbroadway@beijingplayhouse.com.

Photos courtesy of Beijing Playhouse

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